The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1896-06-25
move tsat was made or CON
lpIated IN the convention hall.
crowd Begins to Gather

~ GAAtlDl U,ill,
crowd Begins to Gather
AT ~ clock the band Of forty pieces
look us place III the gallery abova tho
speakers stand, and at 1870 struck nm
tiie' rousing air, Black America" soon
ailer the Spectators began to stream
through the entrances which opened into
'he gallery. Hundreds of assistant
SerSeahts-at-arms and ushers were sc,t.
,ered about the hall and galleries. inst
before Ii O'Clock the thunder of arriving
cubs outside the hall was heard. and the
Alabama delegation appeared at the main
entrance and marched to their seots in the
pit. The contesting delegations from the
state of Delaware. both in full force. the
one headed by ex-senator Higgins and
the other by Mr.. Addicks, were among
the first to arrive.
al 1l:-o Senator Carter, chairman Of
the national committee, who was to call
.le convention to order. arrived and gave
HIS maj instructions to the secretaries and
reaning clerks. Within a few minutes the
ueieSatloaS began crOwding into their
places. Inc arrival of the notables. how
ever, was not ATTENDED by any demonstra-
ions. Inc most amous of the itepubli-
can leaders seemed to be unrecogniZed
from the galleries, but were warmly
greeted by their friends on the floor. Sem
ator Lodge, who is at the head of Reeds
New England delegation, and who was
the general of the radical politicians. was
besiesed on every hand as he walked
down the aisle. The venerable Dick
Thompson, Of Indiana, who participated
IN the Clay-Jackson campaign of 1892 and
has ippD n pnpsninu,p,ts ~ y, g, -. .u..... n
publican convention since the orcaniza-
tioa OK the party. attracted much atten-
ton. He bears his 81 years sturdily and
looked full of vigor. The Ohio delegation.
headed by the dashing Foraker and dough
ty hanna, who as McKinley's manager
has made himself famous within a few
months in the world of politics. passed
down to their places, directly in front of
the speakers stand, without Il demonstra-
ton OF any kind. All was confusion on
the floor in the final moments preceding
the calling of the convention to order.
When the big hall was filled with peo-
pie, when the banners designating the To-
cation of the States were set in place. the
bands began to play, and the great speak
erS and statesmen and politicians were
assembled there, it was a sight unrivalnd
by any national gathering of a political
party ever held on American soil. The
chairman Of the convention looked down
upon a spectacle not exceeded in human
interest by any previous gathering in the
political history of the country. The hall
formed 4 fitting environment. The deco
ratlonS were simple, but as striking as a
repetition of flags and portraits could be
made. Red, white and blue bunting COW
cred the huge trusseS. and the walls were
relieved by huge panels bearing pictures
of great Observation-Disclosures, Lin
coin, Grant, sherman, Farragut. Garfield.
lnterspersed were shields in the national
%colors, flags and gaudy lanterns.
The hands of the clock were at 1870
when Chairman Carter Of Montana I'M
waistcoated and with w~idcspreading shirt
bosom, stepped forward and with three
fierce cracks of his gavel. by way Of pre-
liminary. sought to make his voice pierce
the general rustic. The attempt was a
futile one, however. He was exhorting
the supernumeraries who crowded the
aisles between delegates seats to please
retire These gentlemen failed to hear
him, but his injunction was rapidly car
ried into effect by hustling badged Off
titiS, VIM oNCDI bONh Nv SiN 80
more vigor than ceremony. Then there
was an interval of comparative quiet,
while Mr.. Carter announced the prayer by
Rabbi Sale. The thousands struggled up
to their feet when they caught the signif-
canoe of the rabbits outstretched hands
and stood for three minutes with bowed
heads. The rabbi prayed with open eyes,
and applause followed his prayer.
Chairman Fairbanks Speech.
The first real demonstration of the con-
~vention came when Chairman Carter in
troduced Charles w. Fairbanks Of In
diana as the temporary presiding officer.
William H. Sutherland of the New York
delegation seconded Mr.. Fairbanks NOM
nation, and his selection was indorsed