The Topeka state journal., 1900-07-04
Democratic National COnVen-
tiOn Called to Order
By Chairman Jones Of the
National Committee.
WELCOME BY MAYOR
Gov. Thomas of Colorado Made
Temporary Chairman.
Hill Receives an Ovation When
He Enters the Hall.
DECLARATION READ.
Bust of Bryan Unveiled on the
Platform.
Star SpangIed Banner Sung
Amid Great Enthusiasm.
Star SpangIed Banner Sung
Amid Great Enthusiasm.

Kansas City. July At is the Fourth
of July. and the opening day of the
Democratic national convention After
all the heat and turmoil of preparation,
the day is here all roads lead to Conven-
ton hall Throughout the night there
has been no sleep for the sky has been
Iurid and the sound deafening from
rockets and cannon and every conceiv-
able device of noisy demonstration
And with the daylight the shock in
creased into one long continued roar In
which the patriotism of the day and the
enthusiasm of the party are blended
The heat is still intense and the brisk
breeze does not relieve the oppressive
ness Of the day.
Early in the day the crowds began to
turn toward Convention hail. and all the
approaches to the vast edifice were filled
with an eager and excited throng, surg
ing toward the many entrances, and
seeking to gain early admission to the
building. With them came bands,
marching clubs and drum corps, and to
the confusion of their crash and hurrah
was added the constant crack. boom,
sizz of bombs and crackers as the con-
vention enthusiasts and the small boy
wed with each other in celebrating the
day.
The surrounding streets presented the
appearance of a state fair under full
headway, with scores of tents and i'm
provised restaurants, giving evidence
that a good share of this sweltering
mass which has descended upon the
town is living upon sandwiches and
lemonade. A huge tent. large enough to
accommodate a two-ring circus, spreads
it's white wings. opposite the main en-
foaming beverages to the weary and
thirsty wayfarer, while next door a
huge sheet poster announces that the
'1ong-horned champion steer of Kan
sas'' can be seen inside.
Further away there are evidences of
the desolation left by the great fire
which swept away the Convention hall,
just three months ago today,-here the
tall spire of a church with the chancel
a mass of ruins and there the debris of
a school house. only the dignifed facade
remaining.
CONVENTION HALL
The Convention hall itself at first
glance looks crude and imperfect, but
this only in its external ornamentation
of cornice and column. The substantial
elements of the structure are complete,
ready to house the delegates and the le-
giOn of OnlookerS IN one of the most
perfect convention halls ever offered to
the gathering of a great party. The
stars and stripes snap proudly from
hundred staffs along the gable and at
intervals surrounding the structure,
giving an idea of its vastness $40 feet
long and 1873 feet wide. Only yesterday
an army of men were busy removing
the debris of construction and they
have succeeded so well that there is not
a vestige remaining Squads of police
men were early on the ground, keeping
back the crowds and maintaining quiet.
There disorder however
the crowds were good natured and pat
riOtiSIn was tempered with discretion. 1t
was noticeable that a very considera BILE
portion of the gathering throngs were
made up of women, who profited by the
warm day to put on their gayest raj
ment, thus adding another element of
color and beauty to the blaze of bunting
everywhere apparent.
INSIDE THE HALL
Inside the Convention hall the officials
were early on hand TO make final pre-
parauon- The sergeant at arms gave a
closing drill to the 300 ushers under his
direction, showing that they performed
their duties with precision. The door
keepers, messengers and pages were
likewise drilled in their several duties
and all was made ready for the rush
soon to occur. The interior of the build
ing presented gorgeous spectacle of
color alike a tribute to the patriotic SEN
timent of the day and to the party
about to assemble in convention The
disposal of flags, bunting and shields is
quite effective, but here there is too
great spread and tangle of steel to be
subdued by patriotic devices The great
steel roof, supported by massive girderS
is partly obscured by flags looped into
rosettes- The same scheme of flag ro-
settes makes a rim of color for the gal
,lery, 40 feet above, sweeping entirely
around the hall. Lower down, the front
of another gallery is flaming with the
coats of arms of 46 states and territor-
les, with here and there long streamers
caught up into bows and rOSetteS, while
just back of the platform is box
bearing the red. white and blue inscrip-
tiOn of the New York high school
boys But the eye leaves these details
of color and rests on the ten magnif-
icent American flags. each 81 feet long.
which are canopied from the top of the