The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-06-17
coNvENTIox IN SESSION.
A Decidedly Duil Day UnreIieved by
aSingle Exciting Episode.

Convention Hall, ST. Louis June 16.-
The first day OF the Convention opened
with unclouded skies, and with the
prospect of extremely hot weather.
Although the convention was not call
ed to order until noon, the streets in the
vicinity of the hall were thronged for
two hours before that time with Stran-
gers who had come to the city to witness
what they could of the e. and spectacle
and who naturally drifted around the
auditorium but the doors were closed
TO all persons including delegates and
alternates until the time should arrive
for their opening.
The only exceptions to- the rule were
newspaper men, furnished With badges
and tickets of admissions; officials of the
convention and several hundred special
and general assistants TO the sergean MT
at arms. The assignment of seats for
State delegations was not completed un-
til IL o'clock
In the section Immediately to the
right of the platform Wee fixed the pla-
cards for the States of California. Col
orado, Connecticut, Illinois, Washington
Alabama, Arkansas. Florida. South Car
olina, Louisiana. Nebraska, New Jersey
West Virginia, Defaware-C alifornia
and Alabama being in the front rows
and the other States coming behind
them in the order named. The other
the platform on the left hand side
An hour was occupied by the assistant
sergeant at arms, instructing and locat-
ing his deputies. ushers. and assistant
usher, and in the meantime band OF
muic in the gallery behind the platform
played various airs.
Owing to the vast ground space the
distinguished delegates We're lost in the
throng. Henry Clay Evans, of Tennes-
CO.. tt-4. ;.tI,
pant to arrive. He came in at ll:l5. and
took q seat to the left of the chairman's
seat. Less than 100 people were in the
hall When Mr.. Platt appeared in the
New York seats, there was volley of
cheers from those in the neighborhood
The doors were not open for general ad-
mission until 11:15. and from that time
on spectators made their way to the gal
leTies, but not In large numbers, the tick
cts for admission being put at the high
figure of $40 for the seat-that is for
every session.
AT 1875 the delegations h:gan to ar
rive. those of California and Maine being
the first to enter the hail. They did so
without demonstrations. Other State
delegations poured In rapidly and soon
the stctlons assigned them began to I'll
up Outside the clash of brass bands
was heard. denoting the coming of the
DELEGATIONS. The Massachusetts men
under the leadership of Senator Lodge
wearing smiFfi of satisfaction on his
fare and q, rose colored dahlia In his
buttonhole. took their seats Prominent
among the Colorado men was Senator
Teller. who chatted pleasantly with those
In his neighborhood and saw" Mr..
Lodges floral challenges with a silver
white rose in his buttonhole.
While waiting for the convention to
be called TO order i:he band performed
some good music. In the interim of two
pieces Mr. Chaunuy NJ. Depew entered
the hall. smiling as usual and got a
hearty reception.
At 1920 Senator Carter. chairman OF
the Republican National COMMITTEES
called the convention to order. BY this
time all the seats of thu delegates and
nearly half of the gallery space were
filed.
The chaplain. Rabbi Sale. opened with
nraver. the whole assemblage standing
as tbs chaplain invoked the divine bene-
diction.
AT the close of the chaplain's PRAYER
Chairman Cater said This convention
is assembled in compliance with the
forms of a call ISSUED by the National
Committee on the 14th OF December.
1895. which call ths secretary VIII now
proceed to read"
The secretary did so in a voice which
was inaudible at ten feet distant and
almh frequent cries of louder. Chair
man Carter then said: "Gentlemn OF
the convention. by direction of the Ma.
t!onal Committee / present for your ap-
proval for your temporary chairman
Ion Charles w. Fairbanks, of Indiana I"
Mr.. Sutherland. on behalf of the New
York dcla agat.on. moved that the selec-
Continued on Third PapeN~