Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-07-04
CHICAGO'S COLISEUM.
Democratic National Convention Hall Covers
Five and Half Acres-Space for 49,
900 Spectators.
ST. Louis Globe-pemocrat.

ST. Louis Democrat.
When the nine hundred and odd dele
gates and the same number of alternates
to the national democratic convention
strike Chicago they will find that they
are going to meet in the biggest struc-
ture the world over. Chicago is famous
for talking about the greatness of itself
and it's various institutions, but If it
blows little about its Coliseum, there
will be few to claim that the prize is un-
deserved.
All the arrangements for the conven-
tion have now been made, and when the
democratic hosts reach the metropolis
of Illinois they will find everything ready
for them. The convention will be called
Ito order on Tuesday, July Z, and If 1t adj
journs before Tuesday, the 14th, 1t Will
be a huge surprise to the old political
war horses, who are looking for one of
the stiffest gatherings in the history of
the party. With nearly score of presi-
dental possibilities in the field, and with
the war between silver and gold to be
fought to the last ditch, the outlook for
a vitrolic convention Is promising. That
Is what the leaders of the party expect,
anyway, and they usually base their ex-
pectations upon knowledge.
ST. Louis surpassed all of the previous
convention cities in rearing an edifice
workers. Not to be outdone by the Mis-
souri, metropolis, Chicago has reared a
structure that will not only seat close to
$4,000 persons, but will give them all
promenading space and other facilities
undreamed of by the delegates to ma
tional political gatherings of the past.
The Coliseum occupies five and half
acres of ground between Sixty-second
and Sixty-third streets, and is bounded
on the east by Grace avenue and on the
west by the tracks of the Illinois Central
railroad. The Illinois Central has sta
ton at Sixty-third street and has built
a special Coliseum station at Sixty-sec-
ond street. with steps leading directly
into one of the main entrances
Between the building and the railroad
tracks are two and one-half acres of
ground, which will be used during the
convention as a carriage way.
Every foot of the 1884, square feet of
the Coliseum will be devoted to the uses
of the democratic national convention,
and those experts who have examined
the plans pronounce them perfect, and
prediet they will stand the model for all
coming conventions. The convention hall
proper occupies space of 450x300 feet
at the north end of the Coliseum. The
speakers stand and platform for MEM
bers of the national committee and 400
guests is located to the east, and imme-
diately in front will be desks for $50 re-
porters. 5t,.-625s g4fis
Directly back of the speaker is the tel
egraph room. with tables for hundreds
of instruments. Extending entirely
around the building is gallery, 40 feet
wide, toward which rise the rows of seats
in the great amphitheater.
Two thousand seats are reserved for
the delegates and alternates. These
seats slowly rise as they stretch back
from the speakers platform, and will be
separated from the public sections by a
substantial railing. Thirteen thousand
seats have been allotted to the public.
Back of the platform are commodious