The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-09-02

orders to ticket holders to the Demo-
| cratic gold standard convention.
They arrived rather slowly at first.
CALCULATIONS of surprise were heard as
/ the early comers surveyed the beauti-
| full decorations of the hall. A profusion
of flags, bunting, gilt and green met the
! eye The balcony which hung over
| three sides of the hall with a back
ground of white was studded with red,
white and blue shields alternating with
| gold wreaths containing the names of
| the states. Great Streamers of nation
al colors suspended in a canopy from
| the ceiling and the background of the
stage was a mass of flags and bunting.
Potted plants, the railing ropes of smi-
lax and green moss relieved the bright
effect in coIors. The gold in the deco
rations was most conspicuous.
A gold eagle with wings outstretcTed
surmounted a sun-burst Immediately
over the platform floated portraits of
| TiIden, Hendricks, Jefferson, Jackson,
Cleveland and Mcdonald in gold frames,
while from the platform waved a huge
| bank of goldenrod.
A band was looted in the upper gal
Iery at the rear of the hall
Many of the early arrivals in the gal
| Iery were ladies. Mrs. Hendricks, the
widow of the late vice president, was
one of the first distinguished persons to
appear in the reserved seats. The ar
rival of the Alabama delegation with a
huge purple banner was the signal for
the first outburst of applause. On the
banner was the state Shield beneath
which were the words, Here we rest -
recalling the old legend of the Indians.
The Alabama marching club, which had
already entered with a bIare of trum-
pets, gave three cheers as their ban
ner appeared.
s'Hurrah for Alabama!' they shouted
when from across the hall came the
cry, What's the matter with old Ken
tuck?" The band woke the echoes
with a stirring medley of popular airs
and Immediately thereafter the dele
gates began arriving. There were some
enthusiastic receptions. General Bragg,
as he moved to his seat in the extreme
left at the head of the Wisconsin dele
cation was uprOariously applauded.
When the Pennsylvania delegation
filed in shortly before noon there were
cheers for the old Keystone state. I'M
mediately afterWard, While the band
was playing Dixie" Colonel w. c. P
Breckenridge, with snow white beard
and hair, entered at the head of the
Blue Grass delegation and the galleries
The entrance of Iowa brought the
delegates to their feet
The what's the matter man was
present and kept the delegates and gal
cries busy. AS the hands of the clock
pointed to high noon Senator Palmer OF
illinois. chairman of the national COM
rnittee, made his way from the rear
of the states quarters to the platdolrIn.
The galleries were then about half filled,
and the main body of the delegates
were in their seats. About 20 per cent
of those in the galleries were ladies.
A GOLDEN ALLIGATOR.
The appearance of the Florida dele
CATION headed by two burly Negroes,
one carrying a Cleveland banner and
the other a gilded alligator labeled
''FIorida's Gold Bug" produced a
furry of enthusiasm, but was drowned
in the thunderous applause which greet
ed the New York delegation Headed
by ex-Gov. Flower and Gen. Tracey
they marched to their seats, z strong,
to continuous handclapping.
Each delegate had in his button hole