Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-06-11
RECEIVING THE NEWS.

How the 1T esIdent and His Friends Heard
the News Over a Special Wire-His Little
Speech.
WASHINGTON, d. c., June lot was
half-past o'clock, Eastern time, when
President Harrison learned that the Re
publican convention had endorsed his
administration By nominating him for
second term. He was sitting in his Of
fee at the time, chatting in the most
composed manner with several members
of the Cabinet In regard to the work OF
the convention. aud was probably the
least excited man In the group.
The arrangements at the White House
for the reception OF news from the con-
vention were admirable, a special wire
with supreme right Of way establishing
free and uninterrupted communication
between the Convention Hall and the
White House.
The Executive telegraph office is on
the second floor, and is almost directly
across the hall from the Presidents Of
flee. Very interesting events occurred
ia these two rooms during the after
noon. The telegraph office has been
closed during the forenoon TO every
body except officers Of the Executive
Mansion, but about three o'clock, when
liz became known that ballot was to be
taken, Private Secretary Halford direct
ed that the room be opened TO newspa-
per men and others who had gathered
in the hall and I'm the adjoining room TO
await the result.
The privilege was gladly accepted
and the small room was soon crowded.
The telegraph instrument was In one
corner OF the room and Mr.. Mont
gomery, the operator, sat beside 1t with
a type writing machine In front OF him
with, which he took printed bulletins
az they were received over the wire.
Mr.. Halford sat at table by his side
and Postmaster General Wanamaker oc-
cupicd another desk near by. They
were each supplied with tally sheet
containing names OF candidates to-
Qether with the number OF votes each
State was entitled to and the test vote
taken last night on the report OF tae
Committee on Credentials.
This latter column OF figures wss 10
show gains or losses In the case OF each
state. Crowded around and behind
these gentlemen were about thirty
newspaper men and friends Of the
President. Secretary Elkins gravitaied
between the telegraph Office and the
Presidents room and showed thor
ough knowledge OF the situation as IL
developed. He frequently consulted
the Postmaster Generals figures
and as the votes OF the
different states were recorded
he remarked significantly at intervals
that everything was going all right, that
.'the Harrison delegates know their bus
mess" and that ''we are gaining votes
in some places where we did not even
hope for gains"
lin 10 the time the wire announced
that Ohio had cast As votes for Mckin-
lev this was entirely unlocked for, and
for the first time caused doubt OF Har-
rison's nomination on the first ballot,
which up to that time had seemed as
sured.
II was here remarked that the oppo-
sition meant TO swing all votes tney
could get on Mckinley, and that Penn
sylvanis's 65 votes would be great lac
tor in that direction.
When IL was announced no"e'er'
that the Keystone State had given the
President nineteen votes, an Increase OF
ten votes over last nights vote, the
small cloud OF doubt that had risen was
speedily dispelled.
After the vote Of South Dakota had
been received and while every one was
waiting to hear the vote OF Tennessee,
the sound went click, click, click, and
without attempting 10 write out the
message the operator repeated excited
" Harrison is nominated"
Great excitement followed the an
nonncemenL Good, shouted Mr. wan.
amaker. and Mr.. Halford dsrted out OF
the room to prevent the message reach
ing the President in advance OF It's ON,
cIal confirmation. He said ne wanted
IN avoid fash in the pan.
Everybody. including the newspaper
men. crowded into the Cabinet room ana
showered congratulations on the Presi-
dent. he received them most cordially.
and shook hands with each. de was