The San Francisco call., 1904-07-07

l.
National Convention convened here to-
day in the Exposition building. This
monster meeting place. within the walls
Of which Democracy's standard bear
ers are TO be named. was the Mecca
for all whose interest here centers in
the convention. The scenes of activity
have been transferred from the hotels
10 this one common point. The corri-
dors Of the former. wherein for sew
eral days past all has been excitement,
were deserted soon after the morning
hours
Long before the doors were swung
open vast crowds thronged the streets
in the vicinity Of the main entrance.
II the surging line were men and
women and visiting political organiza-
tions eagerly seeking entrance. Those
who have charge OF the distribution
Of the tickets for admission have been
deluged with requests for them. but. as
cards have been provided only 70 the
extent Of the seating capacity of the
han, 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 decoration Of the con
Nention hall was undertaken on most
elaborate scale and the pleasing and
effective color scheme has been carried
out TO the minutest details. The great
dome ceiling. which rises high above
the floor, is covered with fabric OF
solid yellow. with here and there
GoUnCes Of a White material carrying
out the architectural design. Within
each Of the sections Of the ceiling is
the star OF one Of the States and
stand Of colors. while the front of the
gallery spaces are festooned with white
cloth The walls are adorned with the
rational emblem. forming q frame for
the colossal color picture overhead. The
sp.endor Of the various cOlOred gowns
worn by the large number Of ladies
occupying seats in the galleries gave
the finishing touch and completed a
scene both spectacular and picturesque.
With the exception Of bouquets on the
tables Of the chairmen, plants were
not in evidence The hall is an i'm
mense amphitheater. The accommO-
dations for the general public, and es-
pecially for the press. are much more
complete than they were at the Chi
cago convention and the best for the
latter that have ever been provided at
2 national convention, every facility
for the reporting Of the proceedings
and the prompt dispatch Of news to
the world at large being afforded.
SEATING ARRANGEMENTS.
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 at the center in the
rear The section allotted to the dele
gates is directly in front Of this plat
form. large Standard red. white
and blue disk-designates the location
Of the various delegations by States
and incidentally adds TO the attractive
ness Of the spectacle.
On either side Of the delegates posi-
tion provision has been made for the
alternates, the press seats being To-
Gated on the immediate sides Of the
Chairman's platform.
Directly opposite the platform and in
The rear Of the delegates is a stand.
where a band Of thirty pieces played
throughout the convention. filling in
the gaps with stirring music
The galleries encircle the ellipse. the
seats rising in tiers. Seats on the plat
form and one section of the gallery
Immediately in its rear are reserved
for Governors, members Of Congress.
Mayors Of cities and others Of distin-
tinguished prominence in the party.
hospital has been provided in the ante
rooms and is fully equipped with all
medical stores and surgical appliances
and with a corps Of doctors and trained
nurses.
Naturally. the opening speech Of John
Sharp Williams Of Mississippi. leader
Of the minority on the floor Of the Ma
tional House Of Representatives and
chosen by the Democratic National
Committee for temporary chairman.
was awaited with keen interest. as he
had been delegated to sound the kew
note Of the campaign and as it was
known that he would deal with cues
tions which viii be OF vital inpor-
tance in the coming struggle for party
supremacy.
stream Of visitors and a drfzzIe of
delegates were passing into the hall an
ing Of the convention. The anxious
ones hurried to plant themselves in
their seats before any other person
should pre-empt them
Even before one-tenth o. Ie dele
gates had arrived the hall had become
uncomfortably warm. The windows.
which are on only one side. open but
half way and are on the level of the
top row Of seats in the gallery.
NEW YORK IN FRONT ROW.
In drawing for seats Pennsylvania
and Michigan were the fortunate ones
securing the locations directly in
front Of the speakers stand. Two
thirds Of the way back to the rear
was Nebraska. New York was in
the front row. just to the left of
Michigan. Indiana was directly be-
hind New York, while Massachusetts
Jared the worst of any OF the great
States. being in the last row. BY the
time the hall was one-third full the
heat began TO increase to a noticeable