Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-11

are TO be put. The telegraph-rooms arc
connected with the press tables by pnsu~
matte tubos so that news matter can Do
shot back TO the wires the instant IL Is
ready. This will largely do away with
the messenger-boy nuisance, which mas
afflicted the newspaper reporters ana
everybody else at previous convention
The most striking feature OF the build
ing Is the number OF exits. IL 5000 people
instead OF 1900 were there and fire
should start. there could hardly be se-
rious panic. IL Is hardly possible to go
fifteen feet i'm any direction without run
ming into door that leads to the street.
and most OF the stairways are Wide
enough for four or five persons 10 go
abreast. The building Il lighted by elec-
tricity. There are thirty or forty arc
lights. and II II should happen that the
convention should hold a night session u
can be done in comfort and without dr.
Guilty. As the affair probably will not last
more than two or three days at the out
side. night sessions are not likely.
The decorations OF the building are
plentiful and artistic The most con-
spicuous flag OF all I'm the decorations 10
that OF Free Cuba. IL hangs underneath
tho Presidents flag in the centre or tho
room. right over the heads OF the dele
gates. and can be seen by everybody II
Is OF silk. like the Presidents flag. The
Presidents flag is surmounted BY tho
Stars and Stripes. ana over this 10 the
high roof i'm the centre OF the building are
wide strips OF red. white. and blue SILK.
! From this centrepioce 10 the four corners
are strings OF flags OF all nations Around
the galleries arr the shields and coats or
arms OF the State. and on the four sides
Of the room are big pictures OF Grant.
sherman, Sheridan. and Farragut The
| principal pictures among the decorations
are those OF George Washington. high
above and just behind the platform. ana
| OF Abraham Lincoln. Immediately below
| that of Washington. These are draped I'm
American flags. and are fanked by golden
American eagles above the national shield
and coat-of-arms. Lincoln's picture is sur
mounted by gold eagle larger than the
others. but the real screaming eagles are
on the platform on either side OF the
| speakers place. They stand feet high
and have an 3 or 9-foot spread OF wings.
They are gilded from tip TO tip and from
crown to toe. and will look the free-sIlyer
| delegates out of countenance
| The absence OF pictures and notices
| representing leaders OF the Republican
] party OF to-day IS noticeable. n was in
| territorial. The local committee was sup
posed 10 be tlnctured with McKnleyism.
and when the contract 20 decorate tina
hall was given out there was this pro-
| vision:
"The Citizens Committee Of 81. Louis
| agrees to furnish TO the Republican Ma
| tiOnal Committee a hall OF the seating
capacity of 1900 or more, handsomely and
| properly decorated and lighted, without
any expense whatever TO said National
| Committee. II being understood that in
| the decoration Of said hall said committee
shall not use the picture photograph. or
name of any living Republican. nor shall
any insignia or motto be used calculated
to advance the cause Of any candidate for
the presidency"
The hail was completed and Dedicated or
Wednesday night last with a grand con-
cert and speeches by Governor Stone.
Mayor Walbrldge, and others. An admits
sion OF 81 a head was charged. and the
place wos crowded so that the local Citi-
zens' Committee got at least Interest on
the money expended in the building