The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-06-26

no one who has watched the marvellous
growth of this wonderful society or be-
held the throngs at any of its recent
conventions would like to stake his rep
utation for accurate representation by
declaring against their predictions No
less parsonage than Governor McKin-
ley was completely taken off his feet by
the crowds at the convention of last year
held at Cleveland, yet that gathering
was smaller by many thousands than it
would have been but for the widespread
railway strikes of early July.
In order to accommodate the crowds
Saengerfest hall, the largest auditorium
in Cleveland, had been engaged, and
arrangements had also been made for
overflow meetings. Major Mckinley, as
governor of Ohio, had been asked to
make the address welcoming tine con-
1ention to the state.
'Where shall 1 make this address?"
he queried, after conserving.
''In Saengerfest hall, was the reply.
"Do you know the size Of Saengerfest
hall?'' he asked in amazement.
EYES, was the reply, "and we are
fearful that it will not hold all the peO-
pie. But we have made arrangements
for overflow meetings if necessary. -
''Don't you think you may be mistak-
en- as to the size of the hall?'' he asked.
''Hadn't you better take smaller one
after all? Don't you know that an au-
dience of 5000 or 1000 will appear
like corporal's guard under its mighty
roof?"
But the members Of the new commit
tee assured the governor that they I'M
derstood the situation perfectly and
made him promise to be ready to repeat
his address of welcome if it should be
necessary. When the time came, McKin-
ley's eyes bulged out with establishment,
for Saengerfest hall was crowded to the
doors, and he had to repeat his address
twice, making three deliveries in all.
The total attendance at the Cleveland
convention conld not have been less than
25, 900, and there is no doubt that IN
der more propitious circumstances it
would have been 10000, for in 1892
there were $4,000 delegates at New
| York. In the circumstances it is not sur
prising that Boston is Getting Ready,
with big G and big R for the myri-
| ads of EndeavOrers. Months ago a COM
plete statement of what the city's hotels
could do in the way Of entertaining
strangers was prepared, and it was then
made plain how many tens of thousands
of the delegates would have to be other
wise provided for. In arranging for the
surplus big list Of private houses where
temporary boarders will be entertained
has been gotten up, and it is a surpris-
ing thing, say the Christian Endeavo1
officials, to note the large number OF
houses to be thrown open by families OF
wealth who would not think Of taking
in transients at any other time or III any
other circumstances.
But the operations of the local com
| mittees are by no means confined to the
securing of lodgings in private houses
for several large school buildings that
will be unused during vacation time
have been engaged, and some public
halls. In these cots will be set up so a!
to transform them into vast temporary
dormitories. OF course a large proper
ton Of the delegates will be housed il
the suburbs, since it would be quite i'm
possible to care for them all within the
city limits, but while those who go ou1
will be little farther away from the
big meetings than the others the dis
lance will be more than offset by the
beauty of the surroundings, for Boston 4
suburbs are among the most attractive
in the whole world.
The first meeting Of this big conven
ton, beside which the great politica
conventions Of today are but mere neigh