The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-10

III h~nu DC"OCtuttC
SIOUX FALLS. May 9.--The national
convention of the Peoples party began
business at 2;So o'clock today In the big
tent wigwam on top of the Hill on the
western side Of the city OF Sioux Falls.
There have been larger crowds In attend
Rnce upon national conventions and pos
sihly there have been questions upon
which more enthusiasm has been mani
tested. but there have been few similar
events which have been marked by more
evident sincerity of purpose or more pro-
nounced decorum of behavior. The big
tent was arrayed in fun dress attire for
the reception and entertainment of its
guests. and the structure proved In every
way equal OF the service required Of It.
The interior of the tent was made
resplendent by a lavish display of tho
national colors. The platform was lib
orally decorated with the Stars and
Stripes. and the uprights OF this struc-
ture bore aloft excellent black and white
portraits OF Washington, Jefferson. Lin
coin and Bryan.
Accommodations OF the ES1 Tent.
The accommodations for delegates, for
distinguished guests, for the press and
for the ordinary visitors proved exccp-
tionaliy good equal to those OF most con-
ventions held in buildings OF moro per-
manent character. A floor was laid over
the space assigned to the delegates and
comforta Bile seats were assigned to all
IN attendance. The acoustic properties
of the tent proved TO be equal to those
o. mos, halls OF equal size. and IL is need
less to say that the lighting and ventilat-
ing facilities were first class
The weather was ideal In all respects
Five Hundred Delegates.
There we're probably $40 delegates in
their seats, and surrounding them was
a fringe OF alternates and visitors num-
bering 600 to so. Seats had been pro-
vided for much larger number. but tho
attendance did not appear mesger, and IT
may be rsmsrKed that what was lost In
attendance was compensated for In en-
thusiasm.
Applause Was Frequeat.
From the arrival of the Minnesota dele
cation bearing Bryan and Towne ban
ners there were outbursts OF applause up
every convenient opening and upon
the least provocation.
United States Senators Rutlpr Allen
and Heitfeld received liberal greeting.
while Senator PettigFew was overwhelm-
ed by the cordiaiity Of the welcome ao-
corded him. There was also generous
applause when tire name of Mr. Bryan
was mentioned by the speakers Of tho
day
Many sentiments were cheered by th.
h.
Gov Lees reference To the Beers and
tho Finpinos Good music was furnished
by the band of the Fifty-nrs, Iowa regl-
ment
Nine-Tenth- Prem the Northwest.
the audience was a representative
American gathering Presumably nine
tenths of the delegates aud a far iarser
percentage ~ the visitors we're from the
Northern Mississippi valley siafem This
circumstance served 70 give the eonvon.
tion Western hae. but aa other sce-
tiona of the country were aiso repre-
Hentcd the West MAS not allowed 10
monopoliEe the appearances IA the con-
vention hall. Pew sf the picturesque
characters % the -. Louis convention
~ ISIS were present but there we're some
broad -brimmed hats there from Texas
and the Southwest There were alSo
occasional "VhlskeFs.r but even these
seem TO have thinnsd out ia the party.
All tolA s was - woig-drrsred. good.
manugred ana thoroughly behaved assem-
biags 0f people. Hv no means the least
uoticeahis Characteristic ~ the gathering
was thc presence u a number of ladies'
Colorado Jed the list IN the number ~
females. three being present from that
state. They we're glyon front seats
Kansas. Idaho and the Dis;ric, Of Column
bia also sent lady delegates, who took
their places "a Il accustomed 20 par
ticipating In public a1airs Il was no
,ices bio. Too. that while the Lady dsla-
gates were treated by the mer with def
erence due their sex. they we're received
as a matter Of course showing that Popu-
lists are accustomed 70 the presence ~
ladies' in thelF political meetings
r should 10 stass1 that Sioux Fails IL
proving entirely equal to The densus 81
entertaining the tonvsation There haa
been no ~rea; crowatnE At the hotels. ow-
Ing % the fact that private readenees
have bcen opened 50 visitors. ana IN all
other respects the welfare % strangers ls
I properly looked after.
The Convention Opened.
II was but fsw minutes after 2 clock
when ChaiTman Butler. of the national
. committee. attended by Secretary J. A.