The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-06-13
THE CONVENTION HALL.

ice for Mckinley, and Allison and Reed
and Quay i'm their turn will likely bo
named, and as the name of each Is present
cd the convention will be filed with up
roar. Delegates will stand on their seats,
shouting and throwing hats and handker-
chiefs into tho air, men and women will
wave flags from the galleries and the bard
will add to the general din. Twenty min
utes Is not too long for the convention
.rootern to sustain his enthusiasm.
After the nominating speeches, the sec
onding speeches, and then when all have
spoken fully the praises of their candidates
the balloting will begin. The secretary
will call the roll by states, and the chair
man Of each delegation will announce tho
delegations vote. If there Is any question
of his accuracy, any delegate many chal-
lcnge the vote OF his state, and tho secrc-
tary of the convention will call the roll Of
delegates from that state
Tho first ballot Is marked usually by
complimentary votes cast for favorite sons.
it Is seldom decisive, though four years
ago second ballot was not needed. But
IL on the first or second ballot there seems
u reasonable assurance that one of tho can
didatcs has enough votes TO nominate him
there is N rush to ''get or the band wagon"
which carries all before it.
When the candidate is named, his run
ming mate must be selected. Very little
then remains but to appoint n committee
90 notify the nominees and TO pass resolu-
tions of thanks 90 the officers and employ
res Of the convention.
The coming convention will be interest
Ing but no more interesting probably than
that of 1892. That assemblago was to bo
tame, according to political prophets. But
It developed into one Of the most exciting
events in the history of the Republican
party.
"Reminiscences of the Last Convention.
Tho most remarkable scene of that re-
markahle convention at Minneapolis did
not occur in the convention hall. 1t was
the scene In tho corridors of tho hotels, in
the Headquarters Of tie candidates. on tho
public streets, when il was known TINT
James G.. Blaine had resigned his seat in
the cabinet of President Harrison. Tho
news came on the Saturday before tho
meeting of the convention. Blaine had
been in n peculiar position. He did not
admit that he was u candidate, and it was
stated that tho friends OF President Harri-
son had made his life burden urging him
20 say that he was not. His friends werc
making campaign for his nomination.
and they appeared In Minneapolis in force.
They were all rather encInics Of the admin
istration than friends OF Mr.. Blaine. Their
ambition seemed Co be 10 beat Harrison,
and they appeared 10 consider Mr.. Blaino's
name tho one with which to conjure votes
SO great was tho magic Of that name THAT
even when the candidacy Of Mr. Blaine was
In doubt men from every section llockcd 60
A -.
ing their support. But the doubt that ex-
listed I'm the minds Of those who were not
In MIR. Blanc's scnfidcncc left conventions
oil over the country ia uncertainty, and 40
many delegates were instructed for liar
rise who felt sure that had Il bccu known
Mr.. Blaine wGs u candidate their instruc-
tions would have been rather for him. But
the fact remained that they were instructed
for his chief opponent, and WHOM they ar
lived I'm Minneapolis g. those who came
thcrs before Saturday afternoon - there
vas ns much doubt about Mr. DlciEc'S
candidacy n there Ind been before the local
conventions were held.
Then came the announcement that
Blaine bad resigned from the cabinet in %
curt note, ana that this was takcu % mean
that he WIS n cardi late for the noInina-
ton No one could ever tell just how that
news spread over Minneapolis Bnt onoc
started no man pot ahead G lt Tho drst
message came over the wires of one q the
prcss associations which ran into a room I'm
the West hutel ~ tho message cginc over
the wire 10 was shouted 40 one of the corc-
spondcnts OF the press sassOciatiOn-unc If
the reporters doing the convention work
and he sped down stairs faster than he had
ever moved ON q news oDpnd before. The