Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-06-17

delegations in the low fiat pit which
faced the speakers stand were IN place
while the chairs in the double galleries
mounted steeply from the edges OF this
pit into the cavernous depths above
There was in these galleries seating
capacity for $4,000 spectators.
The great pillars which upheld them
were swathed in bunting and the rougn
ceiling, seventy-five feet above the PIT,
was a mass of color. Around the gall
cries at intervals blazed the
coats of arms of the various States. The
speakers stand, from which on each
hand streatched the tables Of the press,
was ornamented with beautiful SILK
flag while from the gallery in the rear
which overhung the seats reserved Tor
distinguished visitors, looked out on
the faces OF many Republican heroes
who have gone to their last reward. IN
the centre was the immortal Lincoln,
fanked by those great warriors, Grant
and Sherman Facing each other
across the east hall were the large por-
traits of the gallant Gen. Phil Sheridan
and Admiral Barragut, the hero OF MO-
bile.
AT 10 o'clock the band of forty
pieces took its place in the gallery above
the speakers stand and at 1920 they
struck up the rousing air BLACK Amer
ica." Soon after the spectators began
to stream through the entrances which
opened into the lower gallery.
Hundreds of assistant sergeants-at-
arms and ushers were scattered about
the hall and galleries. Just before IL
o'clock thunder of arriving clubs out
side the hall was heard, and the Ala
bama delegation appeared at the main
entrance and marched to their seats IN
the pit A few of the delegates and
the alternates struggled in and soon
the pit became animated, but the CLUBS
and spectators were restrained on the
outside to await Sergeant-at-Arms
Brynes' order to open the doors to the
public. The outside of the hall resem-
bled a beleaguered fortress when the or
der was given at 11:3O.
A few OF the more favored OF those
holding tickets managed to gain admls-
sion at the main entrance before that
hour, however. They made their way
to the galleries quietly, but beyond the
cries of the sergeant-at-arms and the
subdued buzz of conversation In the
hall, there was no demonstration until
after the public doors were opened
The quiet within marked the contrast
OF the cheering crowds and clashing
bands without. The street cars which
came to convention hall were loaded
like Coney Island trolley cars on sum-
mer Sunday. Men were hanging to the
steps and sWarming over the rails, good
natured. but on the whole quiet lot,
having taxed their throat powers on
the night before.
The police, who were as thick as flies
about the building, kept the men on the
near sidewalks moving to prevent jams,
and those who seemed to be mere on
lockers were herded upon the opposite
sidewalks. where fire lines were estab-
hshed along the curbs to keep the
crowd from OVERLOOKING into the streets
and blocking the way of cars and car
riages.
These crowds were the poorer people
of the city, with thick sprinkling Of
the black, and many who had come in
from the country, judging from their
makeup. Windows facing the hall
were filled with the faces Of women and
children. while men swung their legs
across the windows sills Of unfinished
city hall building adjoining the conven-
ton hall.
Several delegations marched down be-
hind their bands and left the bands out
side the hall where they stood about.
At 11:20 Senator Carte r. chairman OF
the national committee, who was to call
the convention to order, arrived and
gave his final instructions to the secre-
taries and reading clerks. The $50 seats
reserved for the press were filled with
busy newspaper men, and the click Of
telegraph instruments already began to
carry the music of the convention to
the world at large.
The chair in which the chairman sat
was the one occupied by Senator Quay
when he called the Minneapolis conven-
ton to order four years ago, and the
gavel was made from piece of oak in
the original legislative hall of the State
of Missouri. When the public doors
were opened, the galleries began to fill
RAPIDLY. Sitting one above the other in
the gallery seats the people looked as If
they were pinned to the walls. A large
proportion Of the arrivals were ladies.
They added both color and motion to the
scene.