The St. Louis Republic., 1900-06-20
Governor Roosevelt, With His Rough Rider
Hat, Attracts More Attention Than
All the Other Delegates.
Temporary Organization Is Quickly Effected and Adoun
ment Taken to Allow the Committees to Meet
Senator W0Icotts Speech.

Convention Hail. philadelphia, June s-
The crowds were slow in gathering III
Convention Hall. When, shortly after II
o'clock, the band In the gallery awoke the
echoes In the vast roof space there were
not more than 1000 persons In the great
auditorium. They rapidly poured in after
that
The leaders were slew in arriving. Sena-
tor Hanna put in an appearance at H't
and got q cheer as he moved up the center
aisle to the platform.
Occupying prominent seats upon the plat
form were four of the fourteen men now
living who were delegates 10 the first con-
vention Of the Republican party held In
Philadelphia, June H. 1856. All were MEM
bers of the regular Ohio delegation They
are: Judge Rush r. Sloane. Sandusky. o.:
General r. Rrinkerhoff. Mansfield. O.;
George R. Trey, Springfield, o.. and Judge
w II. Cpson Of Akron. o.
At noon Senator Hanna took his seat at
the chairman's table. but, although this
was the hour set for calling the convention.
he waited q few moments comforting with
Secretary Dick. Senator Wolcott and
others.
Roosevelts Ovation.
At 1901 the first pronounced demonstra-
tion of the convention occurred. Governor
Roosevelt came in through the main en-
trance and moved down the center aisle.
He wore his Rough Rider hat ard was in
stantly recognized. deep reverberating
cheer greeted him. Men Jumped to their
chairs to cheer him. and women futtered
their handkerehiefs.
Delegates crowded forward to greet him
as he moved through the press. and his en-
trance. theatrical though it may have been.
was like that Of a conquerfng hero. He
took his seat Immediately in the rear of
Senator flatt and In front CT Senator De-
pew.
Across the aisle was Senator Platt. pa
tient but alert.
william s. Taylor of Kentucky came in
with Governor Bradley OF that State. the
former was smiling and unrufhed after all
his turmoil and exile.
Senator Lodge and Judge Mccall came IN
at the head OF the Massachusetts, delega-
tion and were greeted by General Harry
Bingham.
rs &c all over?'' said Bingham.
Yes said Lodge. ''for Long-thats the
ticket A certainty-McKinley and Long"
Senator Quay smiled sriniy from across
the aisle. He wore suit Of milfer's gray,
and had partly contracted the sombrero
habit. for his hat was of expansive brira
and OF the Santiago cut
Sitting together on the platform was a
group OF distinguished guests from the dip
lomatic cops at Washington. including the
first secretary of the British embassy, Ger
aid Lowther. and OF the Spanish legation.
Senor Don Riano.
Kansas had seats Immediately across the
aisle from New York. TO the left ana when
Roosevelt came in the Kansas delegates
gave him a special reception. and one en-
thussstic kansan grabbed the Governor
by the arm and pulled him across the
aisle
The long gallery was now packed with
humanity. ana the floor. from wall 10 wall,
living sea of people
Before Chairman Hanna, on the desk was
q heavy plank about foot square and on
this lay his gavel. The gavel was unique.
1t consisted OF heavy square oak piece
fitted with handle and looked more like
a maui than a gavel for a presiding officer.
Senator Hanna seemed in no hurry 10
call the convention to order. At:irei IN a
sack suit with white vest, he sat chatting
with those about him. his broad face BEAM
ing, his eye meantime rowing over the con-
vention.
At 1890 the band broke into the stirring
strains Of the Star Spangled Banner. Gov
= ernor Roosevelt was first on his feet in re-
sponse to the national anthem. His Rough
Rider hat came of. and he stood with hea,:
uncovered. Instantly the whole convention
rose.
Ten thousand people stood while the stir
ring air was played and applauded it with
cheer as they took their seats
Convention Opened.
Chairman Hanna remained standing He
uftsd the nngainly Eavel and brought it
down with . resoundins whack. Instantly
N eyes were rtysted upon him and u wave
q applause swept the hall
Chairman Hanna faced the storm o! ap-
plAuss with q resoiute face. His stern fea-
lures did not relax. but he nodded an ac-
knowiedgment as the applause broke here
and there into o cheer. When 1t had sub
sided, he brought down the gavei again.
''The convention will come TO ORDER" he
shouted. at exactly 1926.
'"The convention viii be opened with
prayer" he continued. by the Reverend
Gray Bolton OF Hope Presbyterian Church
Of Philadelphia
Chairman Hanna remained standing with
bowed head while the minister came for
ward In the black robes OF his Office to de-
liver the invocation. But the delegates I'M
the pit remained seated. and only here and
there did one Of the spectators rise.
All. however. bowed their heads reverent-
Iy while the Reverend Mr.. Bolton read his