Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1896-05-01
A CONVENTION CITY.
The National Capital Becoming the
Conventions of aIl Kinds-Prep-
aratfOns for the Coming Chrix-
tian EndeavOr Convention.

tian Endeavor Convention.
WASHINGTON, April "a, 1896.
Some time ago one of the Washing
ton daily papers published an article
giving an outline of the various con-
ventions which had met in that city
during the previous year. The total
number was about six hundred, repre-
senting almost every cause in which
mankind feels an interest. A great
many associations have adopted Wash
ington as a permanent meeting-place
for their annual gatherings. Some
conventions have only few scores OF
delegates, while others have many
thousands.
Within the last few years there have
met here the most important conven-
tions of the Baptist, Unitarian, Presby-
terian, Methodist and Catholic
churches; the Odd Fellows, Masonic
and Golden Eagle fraternities; Medi-
cal and Scientific Societies. In fact,
it is doubtful if there is ever a week
of the year when there is not in the
city a convention in session. Some
weeks there are dozen or fifteen in
session at once.
Just at present the interest of the
people is centering in the approach
ing convention of the Young Peoples
Christian Endeavor Society, which
bids fair to be the largest convention
OF the society ever held, and the
largest convention OF the kind ever
held here, excepting the encampment
of the G. A. r., in 1892, when a hun
dred thousand veterans met for the
first time since the war, in the federal
city.
As soon as it was decided to hold
the Christian Endeavor Convention
here a large and enthusiastic COM
mittee on preparations began its work.
Their plans are now carefully ar
ranged, and the city is eager to show
its hospitality.
Congress has placed at the disposal
OF the Society the Executive OVAL"
lying between the White House and
the Monument, a magnificent loca-
tion, comprising about sixty acres OF
level ground almost within the heart
of the city. Here will be erected
three tents having q seating capacity
OF ten thousand each. Contracts have
already been made for these and it is
possible that . fourth will be added.
In addition to the tents one OF the
largest halls in the city, and thirteen
churches, will be used for simultane-
Gus meetings, for it is expected that
there will be at least sixty thousand
delegates present, as we'll as a very
large number of friends of the society.
Some months ago a force OF one
thousand young men was selected
from the various city branches OF the
society to act as ushers.
They are now being drilled in their
duties, and during the convention
will wear uniform caps, havirg in
front the word usher"
The music will be in charge of Mr..
Percy Foster, of this city, who dis
played so much skill in managing the
singing at the Cleveland and Boston
conventions. A chorus OF four thous-
and people will be organized and
drilled, but when the convention
meets it will be divided. one thousand
singing in each OF the three tents, and
the other thousand assisting at the
outside meetings.
Pilgrimsges to Mt. Vernon and
other points of interest will be ar.
ranged, and everything possible be
done to make the stay of the visitors
pleasant, the thoughtfulness of the
committee going 80 far as to provide
fans which may be kept as souve enirs.
The committed is also preparing for
general distribution a convenient di.
rectory giving vast amount of infor-
nation as to places OF interest.
1t is said that already about az
many delegations have secured accom-.
modations at the hotels as at the Bos-
ton convention, and the convention is
still four months away.
Headquarters have already been as
signed for every State and Territory of
the Union; all headquarters being
within twenty minutes ride on the
street cars from the Executive
Oval"
A fund of $4,000 to pay the ex-
penses OF the convention is now being
raised by popular subscription, all
classes uniting to make the coming
meeting thorough success.
WHEN fpvora on.l atba,