The herald., 1896-06-17
FAIRBANKS MAKES A SPEECH
And Silver Republicans Very Carefully
Maintain Unbroken Silence
Warwick Hanna Received No Cheers and
Mckinley Was Not Mentioned
Names Of Committeeman Are 0lven Out and
the Funeral AssembIsge Dlssoivss.
But There's Promise Of
Pun to Come
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
ST. LOUIS, June 16.-Auspiciously and
serenely. beneath a sky across whose
arched dome not a cloud fioated. the
chieftains Of the Republican party. from
the pineries of Maine to the orange
groves Of California, from the everglades
Of Florida to the placid waters of Puget
sound, met in council today. and In the
presence Of about 5000 spectators, en-
tered upon the work Of selecting candi-
dates and enunciating policies for the
campaign of 1896. The first session Of
the Republican national convention was
brief and formal. Chairman Carter Of
the national committee dropped the gav-
el at 1920 o'clock and sixty minutes
later an adjournment was taken until
10 o'clock tomorrow.
There was not a jar to mar the pro-
ceedings, there were no sensational in
cidents to arouse, nor any demonstra-
tions to thrill the vast concourse Of peo-
pie.
The temporary chairman, G. w. Fair
banks Of Indiana, delivered his address.
q strong. forcible statement in arraign-
ment Of the present administration and
in definement of the issues; the COM
mittee slections from the various dele
cations were announced-that was all.
Those who expected some allusion to
Mckinley which would loosen the bot
tied up enthusiasm for the little Ma
poleon. which has had no fight to un-
cork it. or who imagined that, perhaps
some of the great leaders or orators of
the party would be called to the platform
to fire their imaglnations or quicken
their pulses were disappointed. 1t was
purely formal session. The recognized
presidents and generals Of the party en-
tered the hall without demonstrations
Platt, Depew, Lodge and Quay were
applauded, but Mark Hanna, the War
wick. did not create ripple when he en-
tered with smiling and confident air.
The fierce rivalry that attends contests
between struggling giants where the
question of supremacy Is still to be
fought and the battle is yet to be won;
which arouses clans and factions to
the widest pitch of excitement and en-
thusiasm, was lacking. While there
may be vain hopes, blighted ambitions
and bitter animosities still tossing be-
meath the onward sweep Of the Mckinley
tide, those who did not favor the Ohio
candidate as their first choice are look
ing forward with relief to the end Of the
unequal struggle. knowing it will bring
peace and good will in the end.
This being the situation, the main in
terest today centered in the personality
of the great men who assembled in the
convention hall, that hall to which the
vast procession wended it's way al
though unpretentious In exterior, is ad-
mirably adapted for the purposes to
which 1t is put A vast oblong struc-
ture, 1t is about three hundred feet
long by one hundred and fifty wide and
almost one hundred feet high. The two
galleries which extend all about the in
terror. descend abruptly to the edge of
the broad pit from which today nine
hundred delegates and as many alter
mates looked up into the face of the
speaker The decorations are simple
but effective. Bunting and flags con-
ceal the trusses and pillars, the galleries
are adorned with coats of arms of the
states. while in conspicuous places hang
the portraits Of Grant, Lincoln and other
heroes Of the past.
The galleries today were well filed
but not crowded, it being estimated that
about 5000 persons were present. The
campaign clubs which had marched to
the hall to the clamor of martial music
were present in uniform, and a yery
large proportion of the spectators were
ladies. The band stationed in the gall
lery over the platform enlivened the
brilliant gathering with popular airs
at intervals.
But, as stated above, the real interest
IN the first session was centered in the |
personality Of the convention. On the
platform ranged behind the chairman |
sat his colleagues OH the national COM |
mittee, notable gathering of astute |
party gentlemen. In his front sat the |
delegates, the chosen leaders in their |
states and communities. Most promi- |
nent, Immediately below the stand, was |
the Dig four of Ohio-Hanna, the king |
maker, the dashing Foraker, Governor
Bushnell and General Grosvenor. Di-
rectly In their rear were the Indiana del
egates, clustering about General Lew
wallace whose name is famed in poll
Tics, literature and war, while to the rear
OF them were the Pennsylvania delegates
neaded py the majestic Hastings and |
the silent, sphynx-like Quay the con-
queror OF 50 many hard fought political
Datties. In the next tier of seats was |
the New iork contingent with Platt, the
old associate Of the imperial Conkiing
at the head Of thesdominant faction. and
suave Depew and Warner Miller, the
leaders OF the opposition. Massachu-
setts, with Senator Lodge in command
fS