The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-06-22
HOW 1T WAS DONE.
story tn Detail of Proceedings ofNs-
tionaI Convention.

tionai convention
Long before 10 O'Clock the hour set for
the reassembling of the convention, the
hall was surrounded by an immense
army of people who besieged all the doors
and entrances, clamoring for admission.
When the doors were opened they surged
In like a flood submerging the vast hall.
The stage had been freshened with
green and at each corner, red peonies
shot into the air. The band was at work
early with inspiring music.
The sun blazed down through the
spaces in the roof and the heat gave
promise of being oppressive. But the
ladies' were attir-d in their thinnest mus
Inns, everybody was provided with fan
and there was no complaint. One old fell
low in the gallery, with charming dis
regard OF the proprieties, Invested him
self of coat and vest, hung them over the
rail and took his seat. Three minutes
before 10 o'clock the Kansas delegation.
headed by Col Barton, with bright silk
suniiowers, pinned to their coats, aroused
the first enthusiasm as they marched
down the main aisle bearing n white ban
ner inscribed in big black letters with
the words: kansas is for Roosevelt"
AS the delegates entered the utmost
good nature was manifested. The con-
test was over. 1t was to be a jubilee and
not a contest which the day was to wit
ness, Gov. Roosevelt entered at exactly
10 O'Clock. He made a rush of 1t today
but he did not escape the keen eye Of the
thousands and they set up n cheer at
sight of him.
He was surrounded by the delegates
when he reached the pit and showered
with co organizations. He made no
protestations or dissent, but sinilingly
repeated his thanks. One gray haired
delegate put his arm around the governor
and whispered in his ear. All states
were represented In the welcome, with
Kansas, the indomitable Roosevelt pio-
neer leading the demonstration.
A few minutes later another outburst
greeted the entrance of Senator Hanna
His progress was impeded all the way
d own the aisle by delegates who insisted
upon shaking his hand. He stopped a
| moment to chat with Senator Davis and
| when he reached the standard of The New
York delegation where Roosevelt was
| holding reception he pushed through
| the throng and greeted the rough rider
| warmly, even affectionately. With his
hand upon Roosevelt's shoulder, he
whispered in his ear. For two minutes
they remained thus In close communi-
cation.
| Depew created stir little later, but
| it was Matthew Stanley Quay who
| aroused the shouts. of the local crowd.
| Henry Cabot Lodge, the permanent chair
man, reached the stage at 10. 10 and there
was an interesting conference of the
leaders in full view of the vast audience.
| At 10 20 the big band from Canton,
Ohio, the President home, made Its
| way into the hall from the west side
and broke out with the strains of the
national anthem. The whole audience
| rose to its feet and stood until the sec
ton was concluded. The Canton band
came here ON the day of the nomination
| of Mckinley at the Presidents own res
quest. He regards the band as his
mascot" Heretofore in his congress
sional, gubernatorial contests and in 1896
in his contest for the Presidency the band
played him to victory.
During the prelilninaries Archbishop
Ryan of the Roman Catholic see at Phil
adelphia, was seen upon the platform.
His ascetic face above the purple and
black robes of his clerical office stood out
cameo-iike from the group of politicians
| of all classes and color, and in all man
| ner of dress. He chatted pleasantly
with those about him, rose promptly
| from his seat when the first notes of tn
Star Spangled Banner sounded.
AT 10 s6 Chairman Lodge glanced at his
watch and then with three raps of the
historic gayel stilled the tumult on the
floor, while the band used In the session
with the national anthem, Senator Hanna
being one of the first to rise and the en-
| tire audience following as the inspiring
strains reverberated through the building.
As the anthem closed the chairman an
nounced the opening invocation by Arch
bishop Ryan.
The distinguished probate wore the SUI
perb purple robe OF his high station, fall
ing to his feet and open in front, show
ing the heavy chain and golden cross
emblematic of his Office. He paused un
| til the assemblage had risen and bowed
| their heads, and then his strong, rich
voice rolled out prayer filled with sem
timent Of the deep responsibility rest ing
upon the party here assembled.
After the prayer, the sound of the gavel
brought quiet for the more practical
work of the convention. Senator Lodge
| called attention to Louisiana being in
adyertently omitted from the roll call
for national committeeman and that was
corrected. Alabama also named its selec-
3 ms, having failed TO do SO yesterday.
The chair then laid the amendment to
tie rules offered yesterday by MIR. Quay