The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-05-30

to constitute a majority OF all the
voters. Whether they can be got to-
gether is the problem. 1T does net at
Isthis time look as if they could.
| COLORED DELEGATES AT HOTELS.
The coming convention win be the
first of the Republican party held in
st. Louis. tt viii therefore be rather
a novel spectacle for the negro dele
gates to he guests of the big hotels
and sitting at the tables with the
whites. They have become used to
this kind Of thing at Republican con-
/ ven1iDns in Chicago, and although
there is always a little squirI1ing about
| it. the best is made of it, The princi-
| pal hotels here in a quiet way sought
TO avoid taking in the colored broth
err, but In slime cases could not help
| themselves. Some said the Irish wait
| ers would strike, but as they never did
| ANYTHING like this at Chicago, the sug-
| 0eStiOn was not considered seriously.
| So these colored delegates will now
| have the pleasure for the first time of
invading in force the hotels of a dis
tinctively Southern city. Owing, how
ever to the condition of affairs there
will not be nearly so many of them
at the hottest as formerly. 1t has here
tofOre always been an understood
thing with the colored delegate that
he could fare sumptuously, make all
his expenses and carry something
handsome home with him. He was
generally ''seen" two, three or four
times by the different managers of the
aspirants for the nominations. But
this time he has little, if any, market
for his wares. For the first time,
probably. since the war there will be
no money equivalent for votes in a
Republican National convention. As
a consequence several of the hotels
have received notice that quarters en-
gagged for colored delegates are at thelA |
disposal, the aforesaid delegates hav
ing been constrained 10 seek more
humble accommodations
tt has come to be custom that ev-
cry presiding officer of a great Ma
tional convention must be presented /
with a gavel made of material about
which clusters some historical or sen
timental association. The gentleman
who will wear out his muscle and his
patience in pounding for order in the
coming convention will use a gavel
fashioned from a Jog of the cabin built
at New Salem, H., by Mr. Lincoln.
in 1892. Like the battlefield relics of
Waterloo and Gettysburg, the logs of
Mr.. Lincoln's cabins can never give
out.
LARGE SUMS PAID FOR QUARTERS
The curious may well marvel at the
large sums spent by prominent poli-
ticians in quarters for themselves and
friends at the National conventions.
The question is often asked, where
does the money come from. and even
for those who are known to have it,
how does it pay them? The hotels
have doubled their rates. although it
was positively promised no extortion
would be permitted. In some cases
the rates have been run up TO three
times the usual prices. One of the
New York parties has engaged the
aides ordinary in leading hotel at
the rate of 500 per day, simply for
Use for their consultations This will |
reduce considerably the eating ac-
at time when they
viii be most needed, but the hotel pro-
orietors do not care for that, so it is
money in their pockets. Chauncey NJ. | (
9epew has engaged at a fabulous price
/ magnificent suite of apartments at
he Planters. But evidently, he does |
lot mind the hole 1t will make in his
900 salary. Hard by Mr.. Depew |
ire the fine quarters of Mr.. Tom Platt. !
When he engaged them he expected to
lit in lordly style and have a contin-
Ial run of callers, beseeching to know ,
lis pleasure. AS it is, he will be apt
o have rather solitary time of 1T. :
There are brass bedsteads and great
leal of other brass about the apart |
nents of the New Workers. which may
n many not be significant.
Senator Quay, who was anxious to
,e by Mr.. Plat, is ON the same floor,
md he, too. will be provided for in
most luxurious style. All their quar-
ers were contracted for months ago
md at a period when Platt and Quay
expected to run the convention TO
iuit themselves. They will not be so
,usy as they anticipated. But, after
all, the Mckinley people have the
inest and most elaborate accomOda-
ions, and no one can tell how many
thousands and thousands of dollars
hey will spend. They can do it with
some satisfaction, however. a dozen
IL more Of the rich manufacturers
Who have been taking such lively and
interest in McKinley's
campaign for the nomination viii be
lere to witness his anticipated sue
.ess. and. as they have money to burn,
nave asked no questions about the cost
If the quarters they will occupy.