Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-07-13
DECORATED HALL.
THE AUDITORIUM NEVER PRE-
sENTED SUCH BRAVE SHOW.
OLD GLORY WAVES EVERYWHERE.
II Flies from the Towers nna IL
Seen on Every Hand I'm the Ins
terfor--Arransemen Are WelI-
Nigh Perfect.

Nigh Perfect.
with The stars and Stripes aging from
fits towers, With bunting OF every COM
ceivable color arranged In every conceive
able design, ornamenting the interior. th3
Auditorium, in which the great Baptist
Young Peoples Union OF America VIII
convene this morning, presents a specta-
Gle at once beautiful and inspiring 70
degree.
One cannot approach the building with
out having ones mind drawn back to tha
scene which the great hall presented
little over year ago, when Virginia was
| rushing her troops to Richmond in re-
Spouse to the country's call for defenders
| against common foe.
I There is a similarity between the two
! scenes. Then there was eager comins
and going, as now. There were BUSY
scenes within the building and without
, as there was yesterday and VIII be to-
day. Then the Stars and Stripes foatcd
from the towers and from dozens OF
other points as they float to-day.
MANY POINTS OF DIFFERENCE.
But there is a great difference. Tho
display II Old Glory then meant a nation
united for war against a threatened IN
vader. To-day 1t means a great denomi-
nation of the greatest country on tina
! globe united in a struggle for the id
| yancement of good and OF the teachings
Of a common Master. The great hail
echoed then 10 the measured tread OF
arriving companies the sharp word OF
command, the rattle OF arms and ac-
| coutrements. To-day the sound VIII ba
| OF prayers, of pleas for righteousness
| Of a mighty chorus singing the praises
| of the Prince OF Peace. On the very spoo
where but little more than year ago
! was stacked a great mass of rifles ana
J cartridge belts, there is to-day an im-
mense collection of Bibles and religious
works displayed. Then there was en-
| thusastlc patriotism and eagerness 10
| serve a beloved country; to-day there 10
I an enthusiasm only in the cause OK
Righteousness, and a desire to serve IN
me world-old battle against evil.
BEAUTIFUL AND ARTISTIC.
/ II is scarcely possible TO imagine
great hail more beautifully. more apprc.
priately. and more artstically decorated
.han is the Auditorium. Flags Vari'
! colored bunting, Dannerettes, streamers.
shields. have been made 70 DO all
that such devices will do in forming COM
binatlons inspiring and beautiful. Bunt-
ing hangs on the wall, Il Is twined about
/ the many columns that support the GAL
| leries and the lofty ceiling. IL hangs III
| fans and festoons from the gallery rails,
It drapes the whole front OF the greau
stage it forms a brilliant background
} for the great chorus which will be mass
ed I'm the tiers OF seats at the rear or the
stage. Bannerettes Of quaint device,
steamers. pennants, and the beautiful
shield of the Baptist Young Peoples
Union of America appear everywhere.
In short. Mitteldorfer & Son, the deco-
rators. have added another triumph TO
long list. They are proud Of their WORK.
and every one who sees 1t will admit they
have every rigl. TO be. ..,,..
SPLENDID ARRANGEMENTS.
The arrangements Of tie hall are such
as will enable the business of the con-
yention to be dispatched Win comfort
rapidity. and ease. At the left OF mo
door as one enters is a post-oiiice and
telegraph Office. An attache OF tho
Richmond post-ofIice will be sent out 10
take charge Of the mail for the Baptist
Young Peoples Union of America, and
delegates can get their letters without
delay. The Western Union will have
an operator on hand all the time. D.
AT the right Of the door Is the con-
vention headquarters OF the Dlspatch.
Mr. Nitteldorfer exhausted his abilities IN
decoration of the front OF this stand, and
n is one Of the prettiest spots in the
hall The telephone OF the Southern Ben
company has been placed i'm the DispatcR
stand for the use OF the reporters ana lor
the delegates who may have occasion TO
use H. The Dispatch will be on sale at
this office. and orders for subscriptions
will be taken. Mr.. II. Il. Linney. 'ne
veteran Dispatch solicitor, ana son. VIII
have charge Of the office.
Immediately I'm rear of the Dispatch
headouarters IS the space in which mas
been installed the splendid exhibit or the
publications Of the American Baptist ZIP
Itcation Society. This IS I'm charge OF
Mr.. NJ. Strien, Of Philadelphia, tho busi-
ness manager OF the society, assisted py
Mr.. Paxton. who is the representative OF
the society in Atlanta.
ON the other side OF tho main aisle and
In rear OF the post-ofiice is the space re-
served for the exhibit OF the Baptist
Union. the national organ. All OF the
committees needing headquarters at the
convention hall have large and well-or-
ranged rooms.
RESTAURANT AND HOSPITAL.
Tn the rear OF the stage and 10 the
right facing It is the dairy iunch-room.
cold lunches. fruits, ices, and coffee VIII
! be served.
To the left and rear Of the stage are
the hospital. which has been supplied
with cots and other necessary furniture,
and the ladies' reception-room. furnished
with easy chairs ana sofas.
Several arc lights and great number
, of incandescent lights have been placed
In The hall. so that It's lighting may be
sufficient.
Mr.. c. r. Winston, the chairman OF the
Hall Committee. has been indefatigabie
I'm his efforts TO make everything as
nearly perfect as possible. lie has sue
ceedod well.
FINE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SEATING
The arrangements for seating the dele
gates seem absolutely perfect. Mr. Win
st0n has divided the floor into sections,
which are numbered. He has arranged
an electric wire and bell device which
runs from the stage 10 the Office OF the
head usher, back at the post-ofice. a
man will be stationed at the bell on the
stage with the map Of the floor before
him. lie will keep keen eye on tho
audience, and the moment any confusion
in the search for seats Is noticed he Will
! touch the button 10 signal the head
usher 10 send a man 20 straighten out
the tangle This device Il unique, and ID
A il