The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-06-17
ST. LOUIS FIRST SESSION.

ALunAlLQCA IRON FIRST EaEeN
newspaper men, furnished with badges
and tickets OF admission; officials OF the
convention and several hundred special
and general aides 70 the sergeant-at-
The assignment Of seats for the state
oelegaCons was not completed until II
O'Clock In the section Immediately 10 the
right OF the platform were fixed the Dla-
cards OF the states OF California, Colo
RADIO, Connecticut. Illinois. Washington,
Alabama, Arkansas. Florida, South Caro-
Ina, louisiana, Nebraska, New Jersey,
West Virginia, Delaware, California and
Alabama being in the front rows and the
other states coming behind them in
the order named. The other states Were
fixed IN the sections facing the platform
on the left hand side.
An hour was occupied by the assistant
sergeant-at-arms in insTucung and To-
eating his deputies, ushers ana assistant
ushers. and in the meantime a band of
music in the gallery behind the platform,
played various airs.
owing to the vast ground space the
distinguished delegates were lost in the
throng upon entering, and got to their
seats without recognition or applause
Henry Clay Evans OF Tennessee was the
first distinguished participant TO arrive.
He came in at HIS o'clock and took
seat to the left of the chairman's seat.
Less than 100 people We're in the hall.
When Mr.. Plat appeared in the New
York seats there was n volley of cheers
from those in the neighborhood.
The doors We're not open for general adj
mission until about II 10 O'Clock, and from
that time on spectators made their way to
the galleries, but not in large numbers,
the tickets for admission being put at the
high figure of $40 for the set-that is, for
every session of the convention.
AT II :3j o'clock the delegations began
to arrive, those of California and Maine
being the first to enter the hall. They did
so without demonstrations. Other state
delegations poured in rapidly, and soon
the sections assigned them began to fill
Outside the clash of brass bands was
heard from time to time, denoting the
coming of the delegations. The Massa-
chusetts men, under the leadership of
Senator Lodge wearing a smile of salts
faction on his face and rose-colored
dahlia in his button-hole, took their seats
quietly.
Prominent among the Colorado men was
Senator Teller, who chatted pleasantly
with those in his neighborhood and saw
Mr.. Lodges floral challenge with silver
white rose in his buttOn-hOle.
While waiting for the convention to be
called to order, the band performed some
good music.
In the interim of two pieces, Chauncey
NJ. DepeW entered the hall, smiling as US
ual, and got hearty reception.
At 1920 o'clock Senator Carter, chairman
of the republican national committee, call
ed the convention to order. BY this time all
the seats Of the delegates and nearly half
of the gallery space were filled.
The chaplain-Rabbi Sale-opened with
prayer, the whole assemblage standing as
the chaplain invoked the Divine benedic-
ton.
At the close of the chaplaln's prayer,
Chairman Carter said: This convention is
assembled in compliance with the terms of
a call issued by the national committee on
Dec. IA, 1895, which call the secretary Will
now proceed to read
The secretary did so in a voice which
was inaudible at ten feet distance, and
amid frequent cries of Louder
Chairman Garter then said: Gentlemen
of the convention, by direction of the ma
tional committee / present for your ap-
prevail for your temporary chairman, Hon.
Charles w. Fairbanks of Indiana"
Mr.. Sutherland, on behalf of the New
York delegation, moved that the selection
of the committee be approved, and this
was carried without a dissenting voice.
Mr.. Fairbanks, a tall and very slim gem
tleman, with a dark, close cropped beard
and mustache, came forward and in a
clear and distinct tone, with only occas-
ional reference to his notes, delivered his
address, which was frequently applauded.