The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-06-06

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did Building for the Convention
ST. LOUIS. June 5.-Thirteen thousand
six hundred and one persons VIII have
seats On the great auditorium erected 1or
the Republican National Convention
Jew more chairs may possibly be squeezed
IN The contractor and architects planned
q building big enough to hold Il 600 chairs,
and when the real push and crush begin,
the fun number may be utilized, but II
there were 14O 600 chairs, it is doubtful II
the number would be large enough 20
seat all the people in ST. Louis on June
is, who VIII be ready to commit almost
any crime in the calendar to see the do
ings on the first day of the convention.
This great white auditorium Will shell
ter the ghosts Of many dissipated bcons
before the nation is much older Inc
building is Of wood, covered with blocks
Of white stan, which give ID the appear
ance Of glistening marble. 1t is hand
some structure to-day. but it VIII not be
SO pretty when numerous wooden stair
ways are erected on all sides 20 afford
rapid entrance ana exit to and from the
galleries on the upper floor
The building stands on the site Of the
new city hail. and must be completely
removed by Oct. I. Tt cost $4,000. and
many people would Ike to see il remain
for future use OF conventions and the like.
but others who remember the fate of the
chicago World 8 Fair buildings. regard Il
as menace in case of fire and will be
happy N4en the last or lE rs TOM down
mere are one hundred and more exits
and entrances. ana in case Of panic or
ire it is estimated that the building could
be emptied in hve minutes. In this and
many other respects. it is superior to the
buildings ia which National Conventions Of
the past have been held. although It is
the largest The Minneapolis convention
hall had but 1900 Seats and there was
smaller space at each of the preceding
conventions
AN IMMENSE STRUCTURE
The auditorium has frontage of ESQ
Ieer and depth Of $50, covering an area
of $500 square feet. The space allotted
to the delegates and alternates covers an
area Of $4,000 square feet i'm the center Of
the auditorium The seats ia this i'm
Uense inclosure are on a level. and not in
tiers Immediately in front OF the speak
er's stand are q24 seats for the acc0mmo-
dalton of delegates There are two in
closures for alternates. one TO the right
and the other 20 the Lett Of the delegates
seats Each of these Enclosures have ac-
cOmmcdationE for 462 alternates- The err
tire space allotted to the delegates and
alternates is open, with no pillars to OBJ
struct the view. The speakers platform
occupies central position On the north
ern SIDE Of the hall just In front of the
delegates, and just opposite the main en-
trance.
The roof Immediately above the spaces
assigned to the delegates and alteruates is E
really a canopy Of glass The glass frames
can pc raised or closed at viii, giving the
hall an abundance Of both light and air
Should one of the famous hot blasts of St Z
Louis hit the town at the time of the con
vention the building Will not be the bake (
oven which some of the delegates fear /
Dozens OF Ventilaling fans VIII keep the 4
air iu the auditorium In motion. although I
the efforts Of some of the cyclone orators 4
could be counted upon to perform that /
feature Of the programme
FOR THE PUBLIC
Around the square pit assigned to the
delegates and alternates On three Of the
9Th a dos
The fourth side VIII be epportioned among
specially invited guests and the public On 4
either side Of the speakers platform viii I
be the tables for the newspaper reporters.
Each press table has been fitted with a
pneumatic tube connecting with the tele-
graph Offices located under the tiers Of 1
seats at the back Of the speakers plat
FORM While more than thousand news
paper men will attend the convention. it
Us not expected that more than 400 will 40
active work In the auditorium Two hum
dred wires OF more will run out Of the build
Ing and there viii 1e operators enough TO
keep them red hot with news all the time.
A gallery forty feet wide. which runs
around the four sides of the building, eE-
lending back up to the roof has chairs for
5000 Of the public OF the 5000 chairs down
stairs the public VIII have the use Of about
$500 At least SO coo Of the good citizens
Of st. Louis and the nearby towns expect
10 sit out the convention from the be-
ginning to the end. so it is quite evident
that some q them are going TO be disap-
pointed From the outside. however. they
can at least hear the band Of $50 pieces play
the campaign airs This band is to be To-
Gated on stand in the central part Of the
northern gallery
TWO LEADING LIGHTS.
Aside from Major Mckinley the two most
conspicuous men at the convention viii be
the great Marcus Aurelius Hanna and the
Hon. Joseph Benson ForaE Hanna eX-
poets TO replace Tom Carter. of Montana
CD chairman Of the National Committee.
and upon Foraker has fallen the honor Of
presenting the name of the Ohio statesman
10 the convention.
The centers OF interest when the conven-
lion is not in session WILL Of course. be the
aaadquarters of the various candidates
There. rumora viii fly quicker than rain
drops ia an April shower. and extraordi-
nary tips. straight from the inside VIII
circulate with the freedom Of a green goods
mans circulars Some OF the Ohio boomers
viii have their headquarters at the Plant
srs' but considerable portion of the dele
cation VIII sleep at the Southern Ohio
viii be wen represented at the Southern
1ne large room is TO be used as general
headquarters for Ohio people. These rooms