The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-07-05
CONVENTION HAIL.
Where the Hot and Weary Demo-
Gratis Are Assembled, Graphic
ally Described.
sSIzz OF BOMBS AND CRACKERS
\ Heara1 nall sides-dallery Flam-
ing with the Coats of Arms Of;
h s.ates-Ten Magnificent American
4 Flags-Picture of the Party's Idol
Is Not to be Standardization
Shaped Like q Great Bowl.

4 KANSAS CITY, Mo-. July Alt is
| the Fourth OF July and the opening day
OF the Democratic national convention.
After all the heat and turmoil of pre-
paration the day Is here; aii roads ienl
10 the convention hall, where. at 70
O'clock. Chairman Jones. Of the Z mo-
ional committee, calls the. convention
10 order. y. II ~
Throughout tho flight there has been
inc sleep, for the sky has been lurid
and the, sound deafenins from rockets
and cannon and every conceivable de-
vice of noisy demonstration. And with
the daylight the shock has Increased
into one long continued roar, in which
the patriotism Of the day and the en-.
thuslasm OF the party are blended The
heat is still intense, and the brisk
breeze does not relieve the oppress-.
iveness of the day.
F.lled;. With IN Eager and Excited
5ii Throng. trt
Early In the day the crowds began to
: turn toward convention hall and all the
approaches to the vast edlfce were lill-
ed with an, eager and excited throng,
surging toward the many entrances,
and seeking to gain early admission to
the building. With them came bands,
,nn,,,, Il, =, ,,,,i,r n,,l ,l,,,,,, ,a,,, ,,1 70
the confusion Of their crash and hurrah
was added the constant crack boom.
sizz OF bombs and crackers as the con-
evthtion enthusiasts and the small boy
Wed with each other in celebrating the
day. The surrounding streets pre-
.sehted the appearance of state fair
under full headwny with scores of
tents and improvised restaurants giving
T evidence that a good share of this
sweltering mass which has descended
upon the town is living upon sand
wiches and Lemonade. A huge tent.
large enough to accommodate a two
ring circus, spreads It's white wings OPP
..poste the main entrance to the build
Ing and dispcnses foaming beverages to
the weary and thirsty wayfarer. while
next door, huge sheet poster an
nounces that. the i"long- cham
pion steer of Kansas" can be seen in
side.
80 Evidences of Desolntion.
Further away there are evidences of
the desolation left by theLgfeat fire
which swept away the convention hall
Just three months ago to-day, where
the tall spre.; OF church with the
chancel mass OF ruins. and there the
debris of school house only the dig
ni.ied cascade remaining. The conven-
ton hall itself at first glance. looks
crude and imperfect, but this'is only In
its external ornamentation OF cornice
and column. The substantial element
OF the structure are complete and ready
10 house the delegates and the legion OF
on-lookers In one of the most perfec:
convention halls ever offered to the
gathering OF great party, The stars
and stripes snap proudly from hun
dred STATS along the gable and at in
-Stervals surrounding the entire -buildIng
There are hundreds Of these Gags top
ping the structure giving an idea OF its
rasiness, $40 feet long and 1875 feet wide
Only yesterday an army of men were
busy removing the debris of construc-
ton and they have succeeded so well
that there is not vestige remaining.
Policemen Early on the Ground.
Ss. Squads of policemen were carly on
the ground. keeping back the crowds
and maintaining quiet. There was lit
tle'disorder. however. for the crowds
were good-natured and their patriotism
was tempered with discretion 1t was
Noticeable thut very considerable
:. portion of the gathering throngs were
/. = n1ade up OF women. who profted by the
warm day to put on their gayest raj.
Inent. thus adding another element of
color and beauty to the blaze of bunt-
Inf everywhere apparent.
Inside the convention hall the officials
were curly on hand to make final pre-
paratlon. The sergeant-at-arrns gave
a'elosing drill to the three hundred
ushers under his direction showing that
they performed their duties with precis
ion. The doorkeepers, messengers and
pages were likewise drilled in their
several duties and all was made ready
for the rush soon to occur.
Interior Presented Gorgeous Spec
tacle.
The interlorjof the building present.
cd gorgeous spectacle or color, alike a
.Itribute to the patriotic sentiment of
the day, and to the party about to as .
sembie In convention. The disposal OF
flags. bunting and shields is quite ef-
: fective, but there is too great
spread and tangle. of steel 10 be sub
dued by patriotic devices. The great
steel roof. supported by massive grid
ers Is partly obscurcd by flags, ioopel
3 into rosettes. The same scheme OF nug
roscttes makes u rim or color for the
gallery, forty feet above sweeping ell
tlrely around the hall. Lower down, the
front Of another gallery Is flaming with
the coats OF arms Of forty-sIx states
and territories. with here and there
long strenmcrs caught up into bows
and roscttes, while Just back OF the
PLATFORM. Is box bearing the red,
"hlte aud blue inscription OF, the New
YORK Hlgh School Boys" But the eye
.lFN. 4