The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-06-20
SO Declares Lodge, But the Convention
Goes Mad For Roosevelt.
HE SEEMS IT'S VERY CENTRE AND SOUL
Chairman Hanna Did Not Call the Convention
to Order Until Long After Noon, and II
Transacted But Little Business
Adjournipg at Three TO
Meet at Noon TODAY.
Meet at Noon Today.
CBy the Associated Press.l


Philadelphia, June 19-Chairman Han
ma with rabbits foot suspended from
a miniature of Mckinley in the lapel of
his coat, surveyed an imposing spectacle
National convention to order in the spa
cious export building in West Phla-
delpha at 1885 today. In the valley be-
low him were crowded the eighteen hun
dred delegates and alternates and stretch
ing away to the four corners of the i'm
mense hall were endless vistas of people
rising in terraced seats to the walls. He
looked into the faces of fully fifteen thou
sand men and women. Opposite, in a
broad gallery were massed a hundred
musicians, their leader a mere pigmy in
the distance. The platform on which
he stood jutted out like a huge rock into
an ocean of humanity. Below him and
fanking the stage was an embankment
thronged with the representatives of the
press of the country. Above was a riot
Of flags, bunting, eagles. shields, the
whole scheme of the elaborate decora-
tions eliminating in a huge portrait of
Mckinley nesting in the graceful folds
of the American flag. About him were
the working leaders of his party and be-
hind, among the dignitaries and honored
guests of the convention, were white
haired men who had been present at the
party's birth in this city almost half a
century ago.
The leaders were slow in arriving and
it was not until Senator Hanna put in
appearance at 11:45 that the enthusiasm
of the thousands was uncorked. He got
a cheer as he moved up the centre aisle.
the full length of the hall to the plat
form. General Grovenor, the white beard
ed old veteran was Immediately recOg-
nized and he too, got a cheer.
Cornelius n. Bliss, of New York. got
scattering applause as he came in and
took his seat with the New York dele
cation and Senator Platt. of New York,
got popular greeting. AS the hour of
noon approached the delegates entered
in a solid stream and spread out over
the seats reserved for them.
At 1927 the first pronounced demon
stration of the convention occurred. Gov
ernor Roosevelt came in through the
main entrance and moved down the cen
ter aisle. He wore his Rough Rider hat
and was instantly recognized A deep
reverberating cheer greeted him. Men
jumped to their chairs to cheer him and
women futtered their handkerchiefs. Del
egatcs crowded forward to greet him as
he moved through the press and his en-
trance, theatrical, though it may have
been, was like that of a conquering hero.
He took his seat Immediately in rear of
Senator Platt and in front of Senator De-
pew.
Governor Taylor, of Kentucky came in
with Governor Bradley of that State, the
former smiling and unruffled after all his
turmoil. Just across was Senator For
aker, with his hair tossed, looking as
though he had been having hard con-
ferences, while General Grosvenor, look
ing like a patriarch paced the aisle and
grasped hands.
Senator Lodge and Judge McCalla came
in at the head of the Massachusetts dele
CATION and were greeted by General Har-
ry Bingham
''It is all over" said Bingham.
yes" said Lodge, for Long-that's
the ticket, a certainty; Mckinley and
Long"
Senator Quay smiled grimly from across
the aisle. He wore a suit of millers
gray and had apparently contracted the
sombrero habit, for his hat was of ex-
pansive brim and Of the Santiago cut.
He greeted Senator Davis, and the two
hugged and whispered. Then Senator
Thurston broke UP the hugging.
Sitting together on the platform was
a group of distinguished guests from the
diplomatic corps at Washington, includ-
ing the First Secretary of the British
Embassy, Mr.. Gerald Lowther and Of the
Spanish Legation, Senor Don Riano.
Kansas had seats across the aisle from
New York to the left and when Roose-
welt came in the Kansas delegates gave
him a special reception and one enthu-
siastic Kansan grabbed the Governor by
the arm and pulled him across the aisle.
Senator Hanna seemed in no hurry TO
call the convention to order. Attired in
a sack suit with a white vest he sat chat
ting with those about him, his broad face
beaming, his eye meantime rowing over
the convention. AT 1890 the band broke
into the stirring strains of the Star
CONTINUED on Second Page.)