The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1900-06-22
May he Mckinley md Long.
CONVENTION HAIL.
The Immense Structure In which
the Convention II sitting. ~

the Convention II sitting. ~,
Convention Hall, Philadelphia, June
19.-The National Export Exposition
building in which the convention met
is located in West Philadelphia across
the Schuylkil river. 1t is an impos-
ing structure, with a classic front.
Corinthian columns and handsome
architraye crowned with a quadriga,
drawn by four horses-an allegorical
group representing commerce driving
her steeds through the world. A pal
ing of staffs with their flags swapping
merrily in the fresh breeze encircled
the roof. The interior of the immense
hall, with a seating capacity of 10000.
forms a profoundly impressive sight.
The Spanning Arches.
The spanning arches overhead sug-
gesting at first glance the hull of a
great ship beneath which the sloping
floors reaching up in all directions
from the pit to the walls, make the
inclosure for the delegates resemble
the trough of a gigantic sea. There
are no balconies on the sides, but a
long, straight gallery stretched across
the extreme rear of the hall. The dec
orations are profuse and elaborate.
The double row of pillars which up
hold the roof are entwined with cedar
and gracefully connected with bunt-
ing caught up at every pillar with the
state shields. The south end of the
hall is obliterated with flags and bunt-
ing, through the maze of which large
crayon portrait of the president looks
out from an immense American in
sigma. 1t is the most striking feature
of the decorations. The scheme of
decorating the hall naturally carries
the eye to the likeness of the. party's
chieftain. -
Arrangements of Delegations. I'D
On the raised platform, Immediately
below this portrait are the seats for
the national committee and other Dig
nitaries and distinguished guests of
the convention. The front of the plat
form is massed with palms and greens.
Down five uncarpeted steps in rail-
inclosed platform which runs back un-
til 1T fianks the main platform, are the
seats for 500 working newspaper men,
and down five more steps is the pit for
the delegates, their seats running back,
rank on rank, the state standards
marking the location of the delega-
tions. Back of the delegates seats are
those for the alternates. the whole pit
being sunk five feet below the main
floor and surmounted by green rail-
ing. From the edges of the pit, stretch
ing away endlessly, the thousands Of
chairs for the public extend across the
entire length of the hall. In the north
gallery is placed the band, of 100 musi-
clans.
The Seating Arrangements.
In the decorations. studded between
the outer rank of pillars are pictures
of the presidents of the United States.
and many of the heroes of the repub-
lican party. Lincoln, Grant, Garfield.
The portrait of Jackson, democracy's
patron saint, occupies prominent POI
sition. In the pit Alabama occupies
the front on the east and Texas on the
west. Idaho. Indiana, New Jersey and
New Hampshire are located between.
The three big delegations, New York,
Ohio and Pennsylvania, sit in that or
cdr Immediately behind New Hamp-
shire. Illinois and Missouri are promi-
nent in the right center. Nevada. Mis-
sissippi, Rhode Island and South Caro-
lima are in the extre ne rear. Across
the immense sea OF eats from the
platform the baton CT the band master
looks no laroqr than a slate papof1