The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-06-22
ICIOUS
OPENING OF
CONVENTION
Republicans Perfect an
organization.
PRESIDENTS NAME
CHEERED LOUDLY
Ex-secretary Root, Temporary
Chairman, Strikes Keynote IN
Of the Campaign.
THE MEETING is VOID ~.
OF GREAT INTEREST !
Fairbanks's Nomination for the
e-Presidency Is Beyond a
Doubt Several Women
Delegates on the Floor.
10 Convene at Noon \ 55
To-day. ss
THE MEETING is. VOID
OF GREAT INTEREST,"
fRy Associated Press,yF


turbing element to impede smooth opera
ton, the first days programme Tor the 8
Republican National Convention was oar
ried like clook work. Not a Earring sound
was heard not q false step taken, II
was an assembly OF Hon ombahve dele-
gates, which carried Into effect without AZ
the thunderous demonstration usually at
tendant upon political conventions q pur-
pose that had been clearly de fined. MS E
An organization was perfected prepara-#5
tory to the adoption Of a platform and s
the making OF nominations in the suc- n
ceedng days OF the convention. From the Y
quiet. yet unmistakable enthusiasm pro-
voked by Senator Fairbankss 8 arrival at
the Coliseum his nomination for Vice
President is but little less assured tha Fss
the nomination OF Theod ore L Roosevelt
for President. ~ ssf3 3 ~ ss$8
Root Sounds \ K eynot te.S
ri Srhe keyno te III the "a mp III gr 81 u
was sounded bypS Hon. III Thu Root sin n,s
speech as temporary hartman, n His ad-S
dress was a review OF the accompl lsh-s
Hments OF the present administration and
Y a. defense OF Republican. policies In gem
eraL When that had been delivered and
5VHTlOuS
patched to their Ia bors the business OF
the first days session was complete.
Another picture was presente by the
opening day, 50 different from the cus-
tomary convention scene as to attract
marked attention. It was the feature
Of delegates and the spectators to warm N
the spirit Of the OCCASION. Mention OF II
President Roosevelt was responded to-
with hearty, though not prolonged. ap-
plause. The lack Of contest eliminated
the necessity for enthusiastic display OF
feeling and the mild cheering and rather
listless hand clapping. which was the
greeting given impartially to national
figures OF the party was all. probably.
that could be expected under the circu1n-.
stances ~ ss
Lack of Interest Evident.
The lack of public interest in the con- Il
.yentIon was evidenced by the large nuns s.
Der Of spectators seats vacant. Seats at g
former Republican conventions usually
brought a premium. To-day speculatoraa Ii
offered them but there were few takers.
and as the hour approached for the coa1-
vention to assemble they sold them for 4s
a song A wilderness of vacant seats
was the gallery and on the mezzanine 4
floor, where not more than two-t thirds
were occupied The first floor was well ss
filled. The picture was one OF good order, s5
whore sergeants-at-arms and policemen vs.
We're not needed. 1f
From a decorative point of Eew this y
Coliseum was a success The architec-
ture OF the imposing structure is pecu-s8F
liarly adapted to the interior T dresa given
1T. Flags and bunting were used pro-
fusely but n good taste. Foaige and
palms softened the general color scheme
and formed a setting for sixty large ems ss
cravings Of President Roosevelt. used In 5&
festoonng the national colors above the s
galleries and ranging entirely around the 5s
hall. h Il
Tho GROWING feature Of the decorations
Is a painting OF the late Senator Hanna,
which hangs directly over the platform II
and occupies the most conspicuous posi-
tion in the Coliseum. Something OF the IA
magnitude of this painting may be real
lied when Il is said that Its surface is &
as great In square feet as the COM
bined surface OF the sixty large pictures
OF the President. President Roosevelt.
however. was prominently shown to the
delegates in heroic painting spectacu-
larry unveiled on the chairnans plat
form at the conclusion OF Mr.. Roos' . 3ss
speech, a climax that brought a pros
longed outburst OF enthusiasm,
Tributes to Mckinley.
The Incidents which are destined to live .fa
long after the spasmodlc demonstrations "
have been forgotten, are Mr.. Roots trib-s II
utes to President Mckinley The tens
porary chairman spoke OF the late Presi-
aent's administration of progress, OF ll.s
gentleIess of character and those quail
ties SO beloved by rhe lation and Ia III
that connectlon said feengly, and with
McJi!nl,,y we remember Hanna, A thushSi8
a Ilnost oppressive, spread over tie 90 81
or mora persons present. The speaker
had paused eapectantly. As he started n
to reYllme the full force Of tho tie
tl,nf ats.s af
cent political heroes, went home to the
delegates. The applause started. and IN
a sympathetic wave was carried to every
part Of the great hall The demonssiAr
tiop was unlike any that had preceded Y.
or mat came after An inderinahe dla
nit, was attached 10 The demonstration
which seemed foreign to a political sath- Ms
erUag. Ma,
The Fairbanks hoom for The yics-presi-
tency flourshed unrestricted during taa
proceedings. Its impetus VA T
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