New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-10
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
FORMER.

lington Hotel to fix the time and place for hold
ing the National Convention Of 1896. may find
Itself somewhat embarrassed in making ju-
dicious choice between the four most aggressive
and importunate competitors for the honor of en-
tertain.ng next years delegates. Pittsburg, San
Francisco. st. Louis and Chicago. Each Of these
cities. with praiseworthy cordiaity and enthusi-
asm. has sent a delegation OF influential citizens
to press it's hospitality on the committee and to
exploit the comforts and conveniences which II
has to offer for a gathering Of the size and i'm
portance of a National political convention Two
things doubtless will control the committee in
making it's decision. First the undoubted abil-
ity OF the convention city to entertain its invited
guests. and. second. the liberaity OF its repre-
sentatves in assuming and discharging certain
pecuniary obligations with which the National
Committee has been burdened since the close or
the Presidential campaign OF 1892 From the
point Of view Of the committeeman, who have
borne the responsibility of these unpaid debts for
over three years. the readiness Of competing
city to defray past obligations may be more con-
sequential even than it's ability to make good the
rosy promises of adequate accommodation with
which 1t seeks to dazzle prospective visitors.
Yet. whatever may be the stringency In the
committees cash box, 1t is to be hoped that the
mistake Of 1892 Will not be repeated and the
publicans be again impered by the sacrifice OF
all other advantages In the choice OF convention
city to the single merit OF an ample guarantee
fund. No who was present at the Minneapolis
Convention Of 1892 can have anything but praise
for the courtesy and hospitality which the city Of
Minnea polls showered on its visitors during the
convention week. Yet the fact remains that the
accommodations provided at Minneapolis proved
entirely insufficient, and that the facilities Of
fered. especially in the vital point OF telegraph
service for the great newspapers Of the country,
were wretchedly almost farcically. inadequate
BETWEEN CHICAGO AND ST. LOUIS
OF the four cities now asking for the conven-
ton of 1896. two certainly, San Francisco and
Pittsburg are evidently little better fitted than
Minneapolis was to entertain next years great
gathering Pittsburg. it must be conceded, has
not enough hotels to accommodate the crowds
sure 10 attend the next convention with any pre-
tension Of comfort. while the choice of San Fran
| cisco would entail on the newspapers and news
| papel readers OF the whole country far create:
| hardships and embarrassments than those i'm
posed by the failure of the telegraph service
! three years aga at Minneapolis. The sober judg-
! ment Of the committee is therefore not likely
TO settle on either Pittsburg or San Francisco
as the convention city. and after a compliment
tary vote or two It is considered likely that the
real fight for the prize will narrow down to Ch'-
cago and ST. Louis Either of these cities would
be fully able to entertain the convention, and
each has made good case for itself in the pre-
liminary skirmishing. Chicago has repeatedly
demonstrated its fitness as place for holding
great National gatherings, and ST. Louis, with
It's increased hotel accommodations, can DOUBT
less give an adequate welcome to the conVen-
ton of 1896 1t is thought that Pittsburgs
strength will go to Chicago after the first bal
lots and San Francsco's to st. Louis. leaving the
contest a close one between these last t"o'
MORE BOOMERS COME TO TOWN.
San Francisco. Chicago. Pittsburg and st.
Louis were active all day bidding for the con-
vention. Delegations from each of these cities
were early on the ground. and every inducement
that any Of the contestants had to offer was
paraded with a pyrotechnic flourish that daZzied
those unused to the methods used to obtain
political prize of this magnitude. 1t Is doubtful
whether a lifelong resident of the smoke be
grimed city that nestles In between the two
rivers that join to form the Ohio would have
recognized his native town in the prospectus
set forth by Plttsburgs enthusiastic boomers
Pittsburg is making a serious fight for the con-
vention but there is little prospect Of its going
there trainload OF Pittsburgers reached the
city early this morning They came down on
the Arlington Hotel with rush. and before the
regular guests had risen from the breakfast
ia BILE the Pttsburg boom was launched. In the
committee were Christopher l.. Magee, Mayor
McKenna. of Pittsburg; Mayor Kennedy, or
Allegheny City; II. p. Ford president OF the
Common Council. and George l.. Holiday presi-
dent Of the Select Council OF Pittsburg; Henry
Hall. and many others Each Of the Pittsburg
contingent badge with the words Pitts
burg. 1896" stamped on IT.. These badges were
In evidence everywhere. Cigars and refresh
ments served. The crowning work Of art
In the shape Of huge map Of the United
| At ltr
in the centre OF the country, and the terminal
OF every railroad and telegraph line in the
United States Maps of the Exposition Building,
which is proposed as a convention hail. and Of
the hotels Of the city, We're also shown c. l..
Magee chewed cigar viciously and said to
member of the National Committee: You vote
10 come to Pittsburg and We will take care Of
you. We have the biggest city in the United
States in heart If not in population. We took
such good care of the G. A. r. that one member
said to me he never felt repaid for the trouble
of fighting for his country until he was enter
tained by Pittsburg. We will put you in the
Exposition building. which has ample seating
capacity over 900 trains run in and out Of
Pittsburg. and our hotel accommodations are
ample"
PITTsBURGERs NOT DESPONDENT
Mayor McKenna got into argument with
Mayor Swift. of Chicago. over the rival merits
OF the two cities for entertaining the convention.
He offered TO bet Mayor Swift box Of cigars
against new hat that II Pttsburg took in as
much ground as Chicago she would have a larger
popuation-and less mortgages. Mayor Swift
sad automatically II made my confession Of
Insolvency in Chicago some days ago. l cannot.
for that reason, wager anything" Mayor Nc
Kenna gave a defiant twitch at his "Pittsburg.
1896 badge. and turning around said: why. II
Pittsburg gets this convention she will make the
date epoch In the life OF every one that at
lends IT, Take away her hotel accommodation,
ner vast Auditorium and everything else that
recommends her. and then see what she will do
besides. In the first place. II Pttsburg gets the
convention she will erect special building for
the newspaper representatives. Ii will contain
ffty-si rooms and army OF operators will be
on hand to man the wires a hot meal will be
ready at any hour. day or night"
This was alluring to some. but many were
anxious to see what Chicago had to offer The
Chicago delegation had rooms directly opposite
the Pittsburg contingent. Mayor Swift headed