The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-06-20

CHAIRMAN EaEnu, WIN u TaDull : lOut
suspended from miniature OF McKin-
ley In the lapel of his coat, surveyed an
imposing spectacle when he called the
twelfth Republican national convention
to order in the spacious Export Exposl-
tIon building in West Philadelphia, at
12:S5 to-day. In the valley below him
were crowded the eighteen hundred del
egates and alternates and stretching
way to the four corners of the immense
hail were endless vistns of people rising
in terraced seats to the walls, He
looked into the faces Of fully $1,000 men
and women. Opposite in a broad gall
lery, we're massed hundred musicians.
their leader n mere pIgmy in the dis
tance. The platform on which he stood
iutted out like a huge rock into an
ocean of humanity. Below him and
flankIng the stage was an embankment
thronsed with the representatives OF
the press Of the country. Above was
riot Of flags, bunting, eagles, shields,
the whole scheme of elaborate decora-
tIons eliminating in II huge portrait OF
Mckinley, nesting in the graceful folds
of the American flag. About him were
the working leaders of his party and
behind, among the dignitarles and hon
ored guests of the convention, were
whIte.halred men, who had been pres
ent at. the party's birth in this cityal-
most half a century ago.
Not a Riotous Convention.
1t was not rlotous convention. There
were no wild outbursts of enthusiasm
from the frenzied Dartisans of rival
candidates, no entrance of delegations
with banners to set the mulutudes
cheering, no fierce skirmishing and
ctashing of candidates managers over
rules Of procedure and contestIng dele
cations. The chieftaIn In the coming
battle had already been selected by the
unanimous voice of the Republicans of
the country. The man who had stood at
the helm Of the ship of state for four
years, was their unbroken choice. The
plntform was the record OF HIS admin
Istration. The only question that re-
maIned for the condition to decide was
the vice presidency and 1t was not n
sufficient bone Of contention to produce
the tumultuous scenes which usually
attend the assembling of a national
convention. The convention to-day was
the dIgnifed gathering OF the represcn-
tntlves of the Republican party to ratl-
ty formally the wishes of the millions
whose authority they held.
The Audience Undemonstrative.
1t wns very undemonstrntive at first.
While the crowds and delegates were
fupnelling into the hall before the hour
for calling the convention to order had
arrived, there was no wild greetlnsshof
party leaders. A scattering applause
met Mr.. Hanna as he made his waAto
the stage.
General Grosvenor Senator Lodge,
Senator Foraker, ex-senator Quay 1nai
a few others aroused fluttering OF
handkerchlcfs and round of hand
clapping, but men Of national reputd-
tion, whose fame has spread away from
our shores across both oceans, entered
without producing a ripple. Perhaps
most Of them were not recognized. 1t
seemed tame There was only that in
describable buzz of myriads of voices
which belongs 20 national convention
as the humming Of bees belongs to
Geid af clover in summer and It looked
rs though nothing could galvanize lha
thousands into life. But Just before
Chairman Hanna was ready to drop his
gaycl Governor Roosevelt entered and
the vast audience was electrified He
stalkGd in at the main door, His rough
rider hat slgnulled him out to the Gran
Ing multitude, Seemingly the audience
lad been waiting for him and the ap-
f!auso that announced his appearance
swept over the vast umphtheOtre and
swclled into great roar as he made
his way towards the seats OF the New
York delegation,
Only Saw the Hero Of San Juan.
senator Depew and Chairman odcll,
of the New York state committee, were
with him, but the crowds had eyes only
for the dashing hero of San Juan. No
stage idol ever made an entrance more
opportunely, But he made no aclSnowl-
edgcmcnt of the ovation his appearance
ELECTED. His jaw was firmly set and he
came on through the press Ike n sol
dIer performing duty He did not
even remove his hat, but pushed his
why through the delegates who swarm
ed from their places 10 grasp his hand,
Fully two minutes II took for him to
trnyarsh the length OF the hall to his
place ucor the stage Al OF that tlmc
the roar followed him and the handkcr-
chiefs rose and fell like the wings ot
gulls over a summer sea, But he made
no sign that he realized It was all Tor