The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 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, EvOkes
Considerable Enthusiasm by His
0~ratorical Thrusts at the Repub-
lican Party.

AtcAn f0rtN.
st. Louis, July 6.-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 d~emocracy's standard bearers
are to be named, was the Mecca for all
whose interest here centers in the con-
vention. The Genes 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 riOrning hours.
Long before the doors were swung
open vast crowds thronged he's streets
in the vicinity of the main entrance to
the exposition building. In the surg
ing line were men and women, Inc
visiting political organizations, eager
ly seeking entrance. Those who have
charge of the distribution of the tick
cts of admission have been deluged
with requests for Them, but as cards
have been provided only to the extent
of the seating capacity of the hall,
many persons were disappointed.
The preliminary skirmishes 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 a 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 flounces OF
a 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 or
colors. while in front of the gallery
spaces are f~estoons of white cloth. The
walls are adorned with the national
emblems, forming n frame for the
colossal color picture over head. The
splendor of the vari-cOlOred gowns
worn by the large number of ladies oc-
cupying seats in the balcony and gal
Ieries and the ever-moving fans gave
the finishing touch and completed a
scene both spectacular and picturesque.
Flowers were eliminated from the
scheme. With the exception of the bo-
uuets on the tables on the chairman's
platform, plants and blossoms were
not in evidence, preference having
been given by the designers to more
enduring decorative materials.
An Immense AmPbitheater.
The hall is an immense amphithea-
tire. admirably arranged for a national
convention, and especially arranged so
that all available room may be utilized
10 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 al. the center in the
rear. The section allotted to the dele
gates is directly in front OF this plat
form. A large standards red, White
and blue disc-designates the location
Of the various delegations by states
and, incidentally, adds to the attrac-
tiveness of the spectacle.
On either side of the delegates posi-
ton provision has been made for the
alternates, the press seats being locat-
ed on the immediate sides of the chair
mans platform.
The day opened cloudy, with a com-
Portable atmosphere which has been
tempered by frequent showers through
out the week. 1t was found necessary
to turn OF the electric lights IN the
coliseum.
The Gathering Host.
Among the early arrivals of persons
of sufficient distinction to be awarded
seats on the platform were a number
of ladies, including Mrs. Charles Mercer
Hale. daughter of Judge Parker; Mrs.
Daniel Manning. Circuit Attorney Folk
of St. Louis was also included in the
list of early comers and whether by &C
cident or design he occupied a seat in
close proximity to Mr.. Jerome, of New
York.
The first ripple of applause that went
across the convention, came from the
galleries when the Texas delegation
marched in bearing their flag OF red,
white and blue with the single star. A
white silk banner bearing the inscrip-
ton Florida Democracy, Safe and
Sound was borne into the hall shortly
after Texans had arrived and was also
greeted with applause. This was five
minutes before II, and up to that time
not a handicap had bean offered to n
man who had entered the hall. The
platform was crowded with members
of the national committee, but the
crowd paid no attention to them.
A CIose-WrnpDed amer.
The Philippine delegation came in
with their banner, which was not float
ing free like those that had entered be-
fore it. 1t was an American flag of
silk wrapped closely around the staff
and tied hard and fast. This was done,
according to one of The Philippine del
egation with deliberate intent as II
TO show that the democratic convention