The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-26

The 1.f34 delegates who are to do the bal
loting In the Republican convention to-day
had practically all arrived last night. They
swarmed In and out of the Denison Hotel
like busy bees from hive. Those who
have been familiar with the politics Of the
State for years past say that never before
has State convention of this character
stirred up SO active an interest or. brought
so many people to the city.
Pennsylvania street between the post
Office and the Denison Hotel was a busy
thoroughfare. The sidewalk in front of the
hotel was thronged all evening. Just out
side the hotel an enterprising fellow stood
for an hour or more after supper, selling
Photographic badges OF the candidates.
From o'clock in the evening until mid
night there was crush in the Office lobby
f the hotel. The stairway leading to the
Nning-room floor. where the candidates
we're receiving was jammed with people.
At times the crowd on the stairway seemed
30 tightly wedged in that no one appeared
to be moving. The hotel was brilliantly
lighted from the lower lobby to the corridor
on the top floor. 1t was by no means a
crowd of men, Femininity. prettily gowned,
was eager to brave the crowd and dis
cover what was going on. The north ball
cony in the hotel Office was crowded with
women until a late hour. They laughed
and chatted and exchanged mild bits of
gossip and wondered how the men could
become so interested I'm politics.
Above stairs on the second floor the cam
didates held their receptions all evening,
and IT was after midnight before the tired
men closed their headquarters. The hum
dreds OF delegates felt that IL would. of
course, be the proper thing TO call ON the
candidates and to pay their respects to
those they intend supporting to-day Many
Democrats were among the callers last
night.
The scenes on the candidates floor at 0
o'clock last night reminded one of a
swell social function rather than a no.
iitical event. Colonel James s. Dodge. tar
and stately, In black suit with his close
fitting Prince Albert buttoned tightly about
him. might have been seen bowing low over
some fair hand, extended to him. Senator
Gilbert. also faultlessly attired in black.
received the ladies with courtiy grace.
The senator is a blt superstitious. and
when a handsomely garbed woman being
introduced by her husband, extended her
hand at the door, the senator remarked
TO her: please come in; believe IL brings
me good luck TO have the ladies come into
this room" Judge Foster. who is one of the
handsomest men among the list OF candi-
dates, perhaps did more handshaking last
night than any OF the others. He makes
II point to shake the hand OF each man
twice He. OF course. breaks the rule when
a woman Is presented.
The leading question among the men last
night was: what do you think OF the
situation" The women usually made the
pertinent inquiry. who's ahead?' 1t was
the opinion OF the unbiased and unpreiu-
diced politician that the contest from
Governor down TO statistician is the most
unique ever held I'm the State. Each can
didate IS still confident OF winning. and
some of the contestants. In addition 10
showing how easily they viii win. indicate
how their opponents will lose. Interviews
with the cand<tsteS cad their friends last
ui6ht brought out the information that