New-York tribune., 1896-09-03
PROCEEDINGS.
lRY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBuNE.l


e INDIANAPOLIS Sept. civilian j. Bryan would
kcve had an unpleasant moment if he could
Mve looked within the doors of Tomnson Hall
today az the noon hour. and surveyed the solid
ranks Of delegates from every State but four in
the | Mon in attendance at the first convention
of the Sound Money Democrats of the United
States No dispassionate political observer could
question the success of the convention in regard
to it's numbers and the character of the men
present. There the Democratic business
men Of the Union in convention assembled to
express their hostility to the Bryan and Sewall
ticket. There were forty One States represented
Only Wyoming Utah. Idaho and Nevada were
without delegates. and the lateness Of the day
when the call for the Sound Money Convention
issued accounted for the absence of the
delegates from three OF these States-Wyoming
Utah and Nevada. The Territories OF Alaska
Arizona and New Mexico were also represented
There was thus substantially complete repre-
sentation of all the States ard Territories in the
United States The delegations were composed
of fine appearing men, The professional poll
tician' was not present In large numbers. His
place had been taken, as already stated by busi-
ness men-by men who ordinarily do not con.
Germ themselves about political affairs
Tomnson Hall. in which the Convention met
is an impressive looking building Of two stories
in height that occupies one of the smaller blocks
of indianapolis. Situated in the centre Of the
business district of the city ii was easily found
by the delegates. The lower part of the building
fs used a market place. the upper part is the
citys hail. the hall in held annually music
festivals flower shows and State and other con-
ventions The hall a gift to the city by one
Of its pioneer citizens. Stephen D. Tomlinson.
fohl Of aptr m ho in hall ON
the second floor. bears the following inscription:
I'm memory OF Stephen d. Tomlinsn. whose gen.
erous beGuest to the city was used In the erec-
ton Of this building. A. D.. 1856" The gen
erOus bequest" mentioned the tablet a
sum Of 100000 all of which was used in the
construction Of the building. Outside OF the hall
no attempt had been made at decoration. The
delegates approaching the building saw the
American flag flying from one OF its four cor
ners. Above the balcony. over the main en-
trance. few flags had been draped and some
wide streamers of red. white ard blue bunting
had been suspended from the windows. There
also a small display of evergreens on the
balcony. The entrances to the hall were num-
delegates. spectators and nwspaper correspond
ents had all been supplied with tickets for num-
bered seats. There no crowd and each per-
son who entered the building easily found the
vention had not thought OF erecting a gigantic
'wlgwam. with seats for 1900 persons. and Of
giving opportunity for this gigantic mass Of
spectators TO interfere in the deliberations. In
stead, they had returned 10 the good practic
OF having hall sufficient In size for the accom-
mediation Of 800 delegates and for 1000 spec
tatOrs.
As arranged for the Convention the hall had a
seating capacity Of 906S divided as follows:
Stage AGO. press platform. 200; delegates seats,
1896: audience in rear Of delegates, 900; gallery.
600; upper gallery. $50 With the exception Of
the seats IN the upper gallery, all the seats in
the hail were taken either by delegates. specta-
tors or newspaper men.
DECORATIONS OF THE HALL"
The decorations Of the hall were in good taste.
Overhanging the stage were American flags and
rod white and blue bunting. Suspended In
IRON, Of the stage from the ceiling was large
shield surmounted by a golden eagle Above
the star, were portraits Of Jefferson Cleveland