Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-06-21
Crowd. Gather Early.

Philadelphia, June 2o.-It was almost
IL o'clock when the advance guard Of
the great army of visitors crossed the
Schu. -'ill and besieged the doors of the
convent iolr hall. The denomination of
Mckinley was to be the event of the
day and along every road that led to
the exposition building, in street cars,
carriages and afoot the people streamed
thither. AS on yesterday, the dele
gates were slow in arriving, but the
distinguished guests We're on hand
somewhat earlier. The New York
leading lights of the party came in
without causing a furry. The first
demonstration occurred when Hanna
entered, He could hardly make his
way to the platform owing to the pres
sure of delegates trying to greet him.
Foraker aroused an .outburst and Gov
ernor VOORHEES,, of New Jersey, was
warmly greeted.
But it was Roosevelt who set the con-
vention wild. Still wearing his rough
rider hat he appeared at the main en-
trance and instantly the crowds cheer
ed frantically as he pushed his way
toward his seat, his progress impeded
by the enthusiastic greeting of the del
egates. Platts was by his side. He was
smiling right and left to the plaudits
of the multitude.
Chinese Minister Present.
While the Roosevelt demonstration
was in progress the Chinese minister,
WI Ting Fang, respondent in rich
oriental silks, accompanied by Mr..
Chung, secretary of the legation, came
down the middle aisle to the platform.
Minister WI was first greeted at the
entrance by Senator Burrows, who in
troduced him to several of the distin-
guished public men crowding about.
The minister and his encourage were
seated Immediately alongside the dele
gates amid a number of ladies whose
summer silks paled beside the gor-
geousness of the Chinese silks. 'Not
word from China said the minister
when asked as to the alarming reports
as to Picking. "We are wholly in the
dark except for what the press brings
us but we hope and sincerely believe
the conditions are not as bad as pic
tured. I'm here unotficially as an OBJ
server to see how the American people
select candidates for the presidency"
The great hall was black with people
when at 1926 o'clock Wolcott raped
for order. Immediately the band star
ted up "The Star Spangled Banner
and the vast audience rose enmasse,
When the confusion subsidized, Rev.
Charles NJ. Biswell opened the proceed
ings with prayer. Men who applaud
prayers at a large gathering were pre-
sent and signalized their approval of
the divine's invocation with hand and
voice.
Tribute to the Flag.
A remarkable tribute to the flag and
TO the pioneers of the republican par
ty now occurred. Wolcott stated that
fifteen survivors of the first republican
convention, called at Pittsburg forty
four years ago, were present with the
same old flag used in the convention.
AT that moment file of white-haired
patriarchs appeared from the rear, bear.
ing faded American flag, tattered and
barely held together by a cross staff.
As the flag appeared the audience rose
and deafening salute went up for the
faded standard, and its venerable up
holders.
When the applause subsidized the del
egation read resolution declaring
their unwavering allegiance to the par
~ they had helped to bring forth, and