The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-07-05

Gay.
Tha Convention Hail Itself. at first glance.
looks crude and imperfect. but this IS only
ii its external ornamentaton OF cOr1Ece
and column The substantial elements OF
the structure are complete. ready 10 give
the delegates and the legion OF onlochers
one Of the mos. perfect Convention naLS
ever offered 70 the gathering OF great
party. The stars and stripes snap proudly
from hundred STATS aiors The gable and
q: intervals surrounding the entire build
ing There are hundreds OF thess flags
topping The structure, giving an idea OF
its vast-ess-S=4 feet long and laS feet vide.
Ths interior Of the building presented
gorgeous spectacle o. color, alike tribute
10 the patriotic sentiment of the day aid
10 the party about to assemble n convefl-
ton. The disposal OF flags bunting and
shields is quite effective. but here Is too
great 4 spread and tangle OF steel to be
subduec by patriotic devices.
The platform itself presents evidence of
elegance, even g0TgeousnesS. and is tar
more elaborate than the counterpart at
Philadelphia Beneath the chai-rnan's feet
stretches 4 rich Turkish rug Of crimson
hue; w.liIe a great Ieatlecn seat aCc0alnlo-
dates the man who holds the gayei. IN
stead Of a table before him the gavsl fell
upon strange wooden pedestal, similar
70 tnos= used IN supporting a catafaIque-
The secretary CT the convention has ar
other raised platform with a huge chair OF
Ieathern elegance, while the lesser Off
ciaIs. clerks and stenograpAers have the
usual spread OF pine before them. Alto
setler the arrangements are admirable in
tneir detail 10 combine to give the most
perfect machinery for the traasac tion OF
the business OF the convention.
4 1890 the streets surrounding the Con
vention Hall were dansely packed, and
every minute added hundreds more 10 the
eager, sursing mass. Lines of wire cable
ha9 been thrown around the building, ten
feet from the wall, 10 keep back the
tarong. and within this area policemen
maintained q clear space, while the tide
Of humanity pressed UP 70 the cables ana
threatened to take the building by storm
The doors were not opened unit! late, as
the doorkeepe-s were being drilled and
there was no relief for the waiting multi
tude.
Inside the building officials were shout
ing orders 10 their armies OF attendants,
pages and messengers we're bang sent 10
their stations. and the last details OF pre-
paration were being finished
THE DOORS OPENED.
At 10:45 several OF the doors were open
ad anu the great sweep Of seats began TO
be dotted with groups OF spectators Soon
the aisIes leading from the public en-
frances BSGdll4ct li4DN-!45 SCAASCS u iA4SAA
and women huTTy!ng to The points OF
vantage. Grzduall.- the huge circle took
on motion, animation, color. and the hum
Of many voices echoed through the hall.
An unusual number OF ladies were in
the assembly, their bright summer dresses
viesng with the SPIeuior OF the decorations.
1t was evidently q free and easy gather
ing as the lnrsa proportion OF the men
divested themselves OF their coats and
sat IL their shirt sleeves. hopping their
shining faces ard welding pairn-!eaf fans.
The State delegations were slow in put
ting n appea rance, and al Il clock the
North Dakota contingent vas the only
one within the area reserved for the dele
gates. From that time on however, they
began coming s.ngiy and in pairs, an!
occasionally in full delegations, but there
was lille opportunity for heraIdins their
arrival. as they were en2pti=d through
tunnels into the delegates area. giving
the crowd little chance 10 recognize the
weIl-kn0xI2 faces. The IeudeTs. however
were not among the early arrivals, and
the spectators looked in vain for the con-
spicll0lls figures Of the party.
Shortly altar Il O'Clock the Third Mis-
souri, Band, OF Kansas C.ry forty-flvs
pieces. broke out wiki a lively ana insp:r-
ing air which brought cheer from the
crowd. but i remained for the strains OF
Dixie. 10 Gull forth the first real demon
stratton OF the convention hosts. cheer
after cheer ringing through the building
as the well known strains came to a close
EARLY ARRIVALS.
Among the early arrivals VINO appeared
on the platform were Senator Elect Joe
Blackburn. Governor Beckham. and for
mer Governor NCCreary, Of Kentucky.
They were given a cordial reception
They remained on the platform only {
few minutes before taking their seats
among the delegates.
At lI:15 The band threw inspiration and
patriotic fevor into the assembled hosts
by p'aying the Star Spangled Banner.
AS the strains Of the patriotic air rang
through the great hall. hundreds OF the
auditors rose and remained standing
throughout the rendition. Even the Ma
:iOnaI banners which everywhere we're
arranged in gorgeous feStoons over the
steel framework OF tha building seemed
TO futter saily in response 10 the music.
Hon. James Hamilton Lewis, from
Washington, faultleSsly attired, entered
the hall and was accorded cordial Re
cepticn When the Hawaii2n delegation
entered the hall headed by Prince Davis.
q member Of the Royal family % Hawaii
they were greeted with applause Fol
lowing them came Senator Daniel the
brilliant orator Of Virginia making his
way slowly through the crowds on his
crutches. AS the crowd recognized him
they broke into cheers. Governor Ben
ton McAIillin. who would not permit his
name to lie used as q candidate for Vice
President. and Congressman Richardson
OF Tennessee. who is slated for permanent
chairman. entered together.
AS usual Mr. Richardson was attired in
black. while the Governor appeared coo.
in his white linen suit
As The hour OF noon approached. tn=
time at which the convention was 10 be
called to order. people poured into The
hail in living streams. With confusion
: comparatively slight, III, immense con
course was seated Before The hour OF
noon. every delegate was seated and The
II, 90 seats in the hail we're nIlsd.
CALLED TO ORDER
At exactly l2:I2 Chairman Jones as
cendsd the platform and as the wave of
plause subsided. called the convention to
order. The aisles were jammad with
aoisv crowd OF subordinate officials ana
intruders and II took some time 10 secure
quiet.
After the reading OF the formal call by
Secretary Walsh and the prayer Of Rev.
s. ". Seel, Chairman Jones introduced
the Democratic Mayor OF Kansas City,