The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1896-08-28
columhuE. d. August rs.

columbu6. o., August Is.
b,unbus donned her gala attire yes
nv to welcome the Republican hosts
like a conauering army they came
sousnnds to participate In the OPEN
engagement of what promises to be
Of the most remarkable contests
POLITICAL history. Trainload after
uload of enthusiastic Republicans
red into the city ali through the
ming and far into the afternoon,
before the morning was half spent
streets were filed with cheering,
ut.ng, demonstrative mass of enthu-
is in the cause of protection and
nd money. AS the visiting clubs and
sss,ions marched up the street to the
pdquarters assigned them, with the
dc OF many bands and the cheering
@ the throats Of thousands OF stall
II Republicans. 1t was truly an IN
ration to the cause for which they
re battling.
The opening meeting was a magnif-
i success. There was not one single
Eture to mar 1t. The weather. while
Fhaps trifle sultry. seemed only to
to the warmth of the enthusiasm.
THE IMMENSE THRoNG
handled perfectly and another trib-
added to the resources Of the cap
! city as convention city. It was
rough the efforts Of Hon. Charles L.
trtz that this city was selected as the
zee Of the opening meeting. and his
sdom has been demonstrated to the
Dire satisfaction Of the city ana her
isors. There was nothing left I'M
ne which might contribute to the
nfort Of the visitors, and nothing
lifted which might add to the success
the demonstration.
With the arrival of the first delega-
% the spirit Of the day became man
Ut in the greetings to them, and by
enins it had swept over the city. a
Al wave Of Republican enthusiasm.
The spirit OF the demonstration over
allowed that Of any previous similar
easiOn. but 1t was of different char
Yer The usual spontaneous and often
peracial and transient enthusiasm
Foked through admiration of some
vorite character in politics had given
ace to feeling equally prominent,
VI Of far greater depth. The enthu-
asm for the great statesmen who were
address them was augmented by an
tense interest in what they should
~ The Municipalities of the speakers
ere almost wholly submerged In the
sues they were to discuss. and during
e entire day. groups of expectant men
PUG be seen congregated on the side
faiks, earnestly discussing the great
sues before the contesting parties.
ASSEMBLED IN THE MONSTER
CANVAS ENCLOSURE
which the exercises were held, they
p throughout the sitting heat of the
fternoon. with undated interest, and
nth constantly increasing numbers un-
the last word had fallen from the
Peakers' lips and then they made the
asst auditorium ring with long and
smonstrative cheers for the Republic
u party. the gallant leaders who had
|poken to them and for the principles
|hey so ably defended.
The interior of the great stretch Of
|anvas had been tastefully and appro-
|.'a'eiS decorated and presented an In
|iting appearance when filed with the
|aousnds of interested listeners. The
''ianorfn and the raised rows of seats
IIaTuy behind were draped In tricol-
and above the platform
'ss an immense Autograph OF McKin-
ey with the familiar words: "The adj
,saee agent of prosperity" Immense
banners with the likenesses of McKin-
f. T. aha Hobart were suspended between
" guy poles on the four sides of the
,,n while flags and portraits of the
,.eslaential candidates were placed at
''sry conceivable point.
i IN hour before the meeting was OPEN
= Tie seating space OF the immense
. snl was entirely filled,
= III. PEOPLE CAME IN STREAMS.
~, ~ "nen they found they could not get
,aoer shelter from the MONDAY heat,
aSn,y ingered for n time aud dIsappolnt-
my Departed. Thousands who had
.s on listening to the speeches,
YER, s turned away. but still others came,
n. crowded into every available inch
: :. pace The capacity OF the tent was
sstnlted by the committee. who had
s ~, the seats. at 5000 and with the
'a banks of people who stood for
'.uts around the outside edge of the
ms ss the attendance at a conservative
sunate, could not have been less than
. . 1000 TO 1000. Probably a political
r NV 'lns In this, or in fact any other city
~ never so favored with the presence
~, the ladies'. They had availed them-
.lses 81 the invitation OF the committee
s a. The bright colors of their gowns
eued an additional charm to the scene.
)PENING nm TuR MNUnJNG