The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-06-20
THE OPENING OF
THE CONVENTION
Called to Order by Chair
man Hanna at 1885,
ROOSEVELT CHEERED
His Entry Greeted With the Widest
Enthusiasm of the Day.
THE SPEECH OF WELCOME.
After the Invocation Chairman Dick
Read the Formal Calls, While
the AsscmbIase Frcttcd for
More Vital Proceedings.
Convention adjourn
ed at 3 O'Clock.
THE SPEECH OF WELCOME.

CONVENTION HALL. PIIu4ADfiL-
PuIA. June fa.-Ihe crowd were slow in
gathering at the Convention Hail uhIi
shortly after IL O'Clock, when they poured
in in steady streams until they piocSeu
the rows of seats An unusually, laise
number were women, looking lfesh anu
sweet in their summer gowns
The leaders We're slow in arriving, ana
if was not until Senator Hanna put IN
an appearance, at 11:45 that the enthusi-
asm of thousands was evoked. Genera
S>%osvenor arrived soon after ana aie'
too, got a cheer.
Cornelius n. Bliss, of New York, got
a scattering applause as he came IN anu
took his seat with the New York deiesa-
ton. and Senator Piatt, OF New YORK.
got a popular greeting.
AS the hour of noon approached the
delegates entered in a solid stream ana
spread out over the seats aLo'teu ~
them.
At 1z:27 the first pronounced dernonstra-
lion of the convention occurred. Cover
nor Roosevelt came in through the MAN
,antrance and moved down the centre
aisle. He wore his Rough Rider hat. ana
was instantly recognized. ceeP'
reverberating cheer greeted MN. @ hel'
irrnped on their chairs to cheer hinl'
and women futtered their handkerchieis. $.
Delegates crowded forward TO greet MN
as he moved through the press. ana MS
entrance, theatrical though 1t may nave
been, was like that of conquerlnE nero
Governor TAYLOR, of Kentucky, came III
with Governor Bradley, of that STATE,
the former smiling and unruiiied after All
his turmoil.
Senator Lodge and Judge McCalla came
in al the head Of the Massachusetts dele.
CATION, and were greeted by Heiaerai
Harry Bingham.
1T is all over said Bingham
Yes said Lodge. for Long-thats
,he ticket, a certainty-NIcKiT.ley and
Long
senator Quay smiled grimly from across
the aisle.
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS.
Sitting together on the platform was a
r:ouf, of distinguished guests from the
diplomatic corps at Washington, lncludins
the first Secretary of the British EN-
bassy, Mr. Gerald Lowther, and OF the
Spanish Legation, Senor Don Riano.
Kansas had seats Immediately across the
aisle from New York to the left, and when
Roosevelt came in the Kansas delegates
gave him a special reception, and one en-
thusfastic kansan grabbed the Governor
by the arm and pulled him across the
aisle.
Tho long gallery was now packed with
humanity and the floor from wall TO wall
was a living sea of people. At 12:30 the
band broke into the stirring strains of the
star Spangled Banner Governor Reose-
Welt was first on his feet in response TO
the national anthem. His Rough Rider hat
came off and he stood with head uncoE-
cred Instantly the whole convention rose
en- masSe.
Ten thousand people stood while the STR
ring air was played. and applauded it with
q cheer as they took their seats
CALLED TO ORDER.
Chairman Hanna remained standing. He
lifted the ungainly gayel and brt uSat II
down. with a resounding whack. Instantly
all ewes were rivetei upon him and a
wave of applause swept the hall Chair
,nan Hanna faced the storm of applause
rsi1h a resolute face. When It had sub
SIDED he brought down the gavel again.
The convention will come to order" ne
shouted at exactly 12:S2.
The convention will be opened with
;,rayer' he continued, ..by the Rev. j.
Gray Bolton, of the Hope Presbyterian
Church. of Philadelphia.
Chairman Hanna remained standing with
bowed head. while the Divine came for
ward in the black robes OF his office to
deliver his invocation. All bowed their
heads reverenuy when Mr.. Bolton read
his prayer
As th, prayer closed Senator Hanna was
acai;, on his feet, and adjusting his eye
glasses said in q resonant voice:
The secretary of the National Commit
tee will now read the call for the conven-
ton.
As Colonel Dick stepped forward, call in
hama. he was given a ripple of applause.
I.e read the formal call, while the ract
asse.nfiage fretted for the more vital pre-
ceedings.
arain Mr.. Hanna was The centre of at
tention. He left the presiding officers
table and stepping to the front Of the
platform surveyed the sea of faces. and
in a clear voice began his speech Of vel
come.
WELCOMING SPEECH
.In bidding YOU welcome he began.
.I also wish to congratulate you upon the
,,apnif:cent representation from the Re-
publican party
Hanna rolled out the words Republican
na-ty.'' There was no mistake in bringing
the convention to Philadelphia, Mr.. Hanna
went on Here was the cradle of liberty,
IN. birthplace of the republic. Here also
had the Republican party seen its birth.
and here tpo was the centre of that treat
throbhing idea-the protection Of Ameri-
can Industry. Another wave of applause
swept over the convention at this mention
of the protective principle. and as it sub
sided AIR Hanna proceeded:
1--WE are on the eve of another great
struggle. Already we are beginning TO
form oar battaHons under the leadership
Of our great observation-disclosures William
Mckinley"
Men and women sprang to their feet.
delegates. SPECTATORS, staid and distin-
r,,ishaa guests, all animated by a common
nnrpose to do honor to the President.
For minute the demonstration was
kept up.. and then with q wave of the
hand the national chairman bid the as
senaoiage to resume their seats and let
,,jvx, y,y,rLresd