The Van Buren press., 1904-07-09
ARE MET TO choose
standard BEARER
Opening Of the Democratic National
Convention at the Coliseum
in St. Louis.
The TEMPORARY ORGANIZATION
PERFECTED and COMMITTEES NAMED.
John sharp Williams, OF Mississippi,
the Temporary Chairman, Evokcs
Considerable Enthusiasm by His
OratOrlcai Thrusts at the RcpuD-
lican Party.

St. Louis, July THE Democratic
national convention opened here. 1t is
being held in the old exposition build
ing on Olive street This monster
meeting place, within the walls of
which democracy's standard bearers
are to be named, was the Mecca for all
whose interest here centers in the con-
vention. The scenes OF activity have
been transferred from the hotels to this
one common point The corridors of
the former wherein for several days
past all has been excitement were de-
serted soon after the morning hours.
Long before the doors were swung
open vast crowds thronged the streets
in the vicinity of the main entrance to
the exposition building. In the surg
Ing line wero men and women, and
visiting political organizations, eager
ly seeking entrance. Those who have
charge of the distribution of the tick
cts OF admission have been deluged
have been provided only to the extent
of the seating capacity of the hall,
many persons were disappointed.
The preliminary sXirmishes have
taken place and the big contest for the
nomination for president is now on in
earnest.
The Convention Hall.
The decoration of the convention hall
was undertaken on most elaborate
scale and the pleasing and effective
general scheme has been carried out to
the minute details. The great dome
ceiling which rises high above the
floor Is covered with a fabric of solid
yellow, with here and there founces of
white material carrying out the
architectural design. Within each Of
the sections OF the ceiling is the seal
Of one Of the states and a stand of
colors, while in front of the gallery
spaces are festoons of white cloth The
walls are adorned with the national
emblems, forming n frame for the
colossal color picture over head The
splcndor Of the yari colored gowns
worn by the large number OF ladies oc-
cupying seats in the balcony and gal
leries and the ever-moving fans gave
the finishing touch and completed a
scene both spectacular aud picturesque.
Flowers were eliminated from the
tAn ~ No
Quets on the tables on the chalrman's
platform, plants and blossoms were
not in evidence, preference having
been given by the designers to more
enduring decorative materials.
An Immense Nmphithentcr.
The hall Is an immense amphithea-
tro, admirably arranged for national
convention, and especially arranged SO
that all available room may be utilized
to the greatest possible advantage,
The participants in the convention
proceedings occupy positions on the
main floor which forms an ellipse, the
Chairman's platform with ample seat
ing capacity rising ai the center IN the
rear. The section allotted to the dele
gates Is directly in front Of this plat
form A large standard--a red white
and blue --deslgnltes the location
Of the various delegations by states
and incidentally, adds to the allrac.
tyeness OF the spectacle,
On either side of The delegates posi-
ton provision has been made for tho
Rltornatos, the press seats being locat'
ed on the immediate sides Of the chair
mans platform
The day opened cloudy, with . COM
Portable atmosphere which has been
tempered by frequent showers through
out tho week II was found necessary
to turn or the electric lights IN the
coliseum
Thc Gathering Host
Among the early arrivals Of persons
of sulllcIea, dIstinctIon 10 be awarded
seats On the platform were q number
OF ladies', including Mrs Charles Mercer
Hale, daughter of Judge Parker Mrs,
Daniel Manning, Circuit Attorney Folk
Of s. Louis was also included In the
list Of carly comcrs, and whether by ac-
cdenl or design he occupied Il seat In
close proximity to MI jerome, OF New
York
The 0rSt ripple OF applause that went
across the convention, came from the
galleries when the Texas delegation
marched in bearing their Ilag OF red,
white aud blue with the single star A
white silk banner bearing the lnscrlp'
ton Florida Democracy Safe and
Sound" was borne .ntp the hall shortly
after TeSahr had arrived and was ala0
greeted with appau4c, This waV Ave
minutes before Il, and mp to that time
not hand-cap had bean offered to any
man who had entered the hall The
platform was crowded With mombors
of tho national committee, but tho
crowd paid no attention 10 them
4 Ci0srsw rappcd iinnaer,
The Philippine delegation came In
with their banner, which was not llonl'
Ing free like those that had entered be-
fore II. II was M American rag OF
glR wrapped closely around tho stan
ana tied hard and fast Thla WAS done
according TO one Of The Philippine del-
egs,lan with deliberate Intent as "
10 show that the democratic convention