The Indianapolis journal., 1896-06-16

at a loss to account for the significance OF
it. unless IT was that St. Louis is more
accessible TO larger farming commun-
ity than any other city at which a nation
al convention has been held In the board
ing houses and hotels these farmers pro-
ceed to dissect the complicated money
question with as much earnestness as the
statesmen who hold their conferences be-
hind closed doors In the rooms OF the big
hotels.
The young American is in his glory at
this convention and many an old-tiner
goes from one headquarters to another
without finding a5y of the old delegates
he used to knG.~. -.rhe New York delega-
tion furnishes the most striking ilustra-
ton of this. The colored brother from the
South who saw the stirring times at Chi
cago and Minneapolis is at st. Louis and
in those cases where younger men have
been placed on Southern delegations the
wiseacres and leaders have come along to
direct and advise. That is where the South
differs from New York, excepting in the
all-powerful dictatorship of Platt. Platts
word is law with. his men from New York,
but aside from him they will give any man
who seeks to advise them strong argu-
ment.
The Pennsylvania crowd is truly refresh
ing in the quiet. Philadelphia-like way it
has Of keeping itself subdued. The Quay
forces are following the example Of their
leader and observing an intense silence.
These delegates will tell you they are for
Quay for the presidency. Not particle
of enthusiasm is there in this assertion,
nor do their eyes brighten when Mckinley,
who is to be their real choice, is mentioned.
l..tl -. -
lows the "lotus eaters" From the neigh
boring State of Ohio comes vociferous,
energetic lot, always shouting or button
holing. I'VE are just like you fellows were
at Minneapolis and Chicago" said one of
them to an Indiana man. Whats a band
wagon for. if it isn't to make music for
the circus parade?"
In every State that has a favorite son,
and they are gro wing fewer every day. the
atmosphere about the headquarters hangs
heavy with this political hush. It's an ag-
gravated form of uncertainty. The dele
gates a trifie nervous lest the band
wagon start off before they can get on it,
and yet they do not want to abandon their
| own wagon till 1t is absolutely necessary.
| Indiana is making very little noise. In
Parlor b, of the Planters Hotel, headquar-
ters have been established, but the room is
almost deserted. 1t is barren sort of a
place. with a long pine table. few chairs,
and. carpet that is spread thinly enough
over soft wood floor that fairly gives out
echoes when you walk across ii. Chairman
Gowdy has not been in the place over five
minutes during his stay here. Occasionally
a Hoosier, unfamiliar with convention
crowds, drops in for a moment, looks in
vain for register. and then backs out TO
get into a more congeniaf place. The Penn
sylvania headquarters adjoin those OF In
diana. They, too. are practically deserted,
save by the numerous Autographs and
paintings Of the keystone statesman Mis-
souri, has a room on the other side of that
assigned to Indiana, and here crowd is
always to be found, the contest over ma
tional committeeman in that State having
become excited enough to draw partisans
to the room.
California always appears at national af-
fairs with something good to look at or
something good to eat The Sunset State
Is always a wholesome, cordial lady. She
has with her at st. Louis several fine-look-
ing women, who TIake every delegate that
ventures within the parlor at the Southern
feel that he is a prince OF the royal blood.
California does not seem to be wanting
anything. withal she is as effusive to the
visitors as land agent. Next to Califor-
MIA on the parlor floor of the Southern is
the hurrah center-the Mckinley rooms
where the new Napoleon may be seen in
| any sort of likeness, from a small Htho-
graph up to an immense oil canvas. Flags
| and bunting almost hide the walls. and
more hands are shook in this room in an
hour than in all the other rooms put to-
| gether. G.. L. p.