The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-09
All is Ready at St Peters For the Coronation
 of Plus <
LEO'S SUCCESSOR HAS
 DEMOCRATIC TENDENCY
Insists on Showing Ills Visitors to the Door and Makes the Humble
 of the Faith Feel at fta Home.

Rome, August s.-By special permission the representative of the Associated Press was allowed to enter St. Peter's tonight to observe the preparations for the corro- nation tomorrow in the wide space which has been fenced of for the passing of the cortege.
 The chapels. including that of St. Greg ory, have been richly decorated with red damask fringed with gold The papal throne rises majestically at the farther end of the great building, being be- wildering mixture of gold, red and silver. and appearing altogether too gorgeous to be sat in.
 On the right a space has been reserved for the diplomatic body, the Knights of Malta and special representatives and en- voys.
 On the left another space has been re- served for the Roman aristocracy. Close at hand stands the bronze statue of St. Peter. dressed in full pontifcal robes and looking strange to profane eyes, the great toe worn away by much kissing of the faithful being In evidence. The nigh altar is adorned with gilded candelabras after designs tX Michael Angelo, Celllni and other famous artists. Several thou- sand electric lights will illuminate the whole church.
 Portlco Is Closed.
 The portico of st Peters has been c4osco by immense curtains to prevent anyone from looking in as the pope passes, which would seem to confirm the statement that Pope Plus x. will not bless the people from an outside bal cony as was half expected.
 The new pope has been upsetting all customs at the vatican. When courtiers thought today to give him pleasure by saying that he would have a tremendous reception at St. Peters on Sunday, the pope was much displeased, and absolutely forbade anything of the kind, saying that he would not have 1t. He called his majordomo, who thereupon issued the fol- lowing proclamation, which was distrib- uted as widely as possible.
 Tt is the warm desire of his holiness to have no exclamation at the vatican or Basilica, and that the most devout and most religious silence be maintained"
 Another innovation at the vatican Is the pope's refusal to permit everybody to De beIll dNdJ WHcH hC sdPPVoA O. n 6Ni7 darme had ordered away some masons who were working about the grounds be- cause the pope was about to come forth. The pope himself witnessed this action and the gendarme was severely repri- manded.
 Pope BIesses Them.
 The Masons were recalled and the pope spoke to each of them, laying his hand on their heads and giving them his bless inRs to their immense delight.
 The pope also insists on continuing hls habit of accompanying all persons whom he has received to the door, no matter how humble. Every diplomatic measure has been adopted to have him abandon this custom, but without avail. He de- clares his will so to do and he will.
 The outcry regarding distribution of tickets for the coronation have assumed vast proportions. Many distinguished Catholics, especially foreigners, have ar- rived in Rome for the purpose of being present at the coronation ceremonies and they have been unable to obtain tickets, while spectators are selling them on the streets. Great indignation prevails.
 The government has ordered 10000 troops to occupy the plaza in front of St Peters at o'clock Sunday morning.
 The departure from Rome of Cardinals Langeneux and Lecot without waiting for the coronation is much commented upon, as the French cardinals had refused until the last moment to vote for Sarto.