San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-06-16
TONED on dodgers as a probable
speaker at the Mckinley mass

1UG duNl'O1 ANANNS
from New York are trying to force
the name of Chsuncey NJ. Depew
upon the convention and it is pos
sible, that in the hope of a stam-
pede for that popular man they
may mention his name, but 1T Is
certain Hanna, Platt and Quay
can control the convention.
From Maine has come a move
ment this morning in favor Of
Henry Cabot Lodge, and the
argument is used that rs Lodge is
really the father of the gold move
ment and has forced the leaders to
accept this plank he would be a
good tail to the ticket.
AT CONVENTION HALL.
1t was an ideal day for the open
ing of the convention, the sun shin.
ing gloriously from a cloudless
sky and a cool southeast breeze
tanning millions of flags and count
less miles of red, white and blue
bunting, which decorated the
buildings everywhere. The great
hall was beautifully decorated.
The pillars which upheld the gal
leries were swathed in bunting
and the rough ceiling, seventy feet
above the pit, vas a mass OF color.
Around the galleries, at intervals,
blazed the coats of arms Of the vari-
Gus states. The speakers stand,
from which on either hand
stretched tables for the press, was
ornamented with a beautiful silk
flag while from the gallery In the
rear, which overhung the seats re-
served for the distinguished vtsi-
tors, looked out the faces of many
republican heroes, who have gone
to their last reward.
All roads led to the Convention
hall, op;Clark avenue and Twelfth
street. From that great oblong
box-like structure which covers
the block iuttered a myriad Of
flags. A Gordon OF blue coated pc.
licemen guarded the entrances.
Within, the officers and employees
were p%erfecting their final details.
At IL 10 o'clock the main doors
Of the hall were opened and those
among the immense waiting crowds
entitled to do so began to file in
singly and in groups. 1t was but
a short time before all OF the A.
| 600 seats were filled and the band
| behind the speakers stand played
| patriotic airs to while away the
| time until the convention is called
| to order.
For a full hour and a half before
the gsvel was to fall, delegates to
| the convention began to straggle
into the square reserved for them,
forming the pit of the hall. They
| were from the southern districts,
most Of the first corners, some
sweltering under the broad som
brero of the southwest; some
wrapped in New England linen
busters all Respondent with the
emblazing of gilt and scarlet
across the coat breasts, like the
| tinsel of a circus band wagon. All
| were provided with palm leaf fans
which were vigorously wagged and
scattering themselves through the
| aisles in search Of their banners,
and seats having been found, gaz-
ed about, pulled with a sense OF
portentiousness Of their parts in
history about to be made.
Thelcontesting delegations from
Delaware, both in full force, one
headed by Ex-senator Higgins and
the other by Ad6icks, were among
the first to arrive in Convention
hall. The Addicks people found
their way to the Delaware section.
Higgins followed promptly and
there was some dispute as TO
which crowd should have the
seats. They settled the matter
temporarily by taking the first
chairs at hand, with Addicks occu-
plying the place OF chairman Of the
delegation. Higgins stood aloof
and when M of his followers
asked him to have the sergeant-at-
arms to put the Addicks crowd out,
he declined to interfere, saying it
was a case of squatter's rights.
A few delegates and alternates
struggled in and soon the pit be-
came animated, but the clubs and
| spectators were restrained on the
outside to await Sergeant-at-arms
Byrnes' order to open the doors to
the public. The outside of the
hall resembled a beleaguered for
tress when the order was given
about 1l:30. Few of the more
favored Of those holding tickets
managed to gain admission at the
entrance before that hour. Hows
ever, they made their way to the
galleries quietly, but beyond the
cries of the sergeants-st-arms
and the subdued buzz of con-
yersation in the hall there