The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1904-06-21
REPUBLICAN, NATIONAL CONVENTION IS IN SESSION TODAY

mittee on credentials must dispose
Of 80 contests. Claimants of the
right to represent Wisconsin, Texas,
Delaware and Louisiana have sub
mitted claims that are being fought
with bitterness. If these contests
assume serious proportions the work
of the convention may be delayed.
1t Is possible that some of the af-
fected states may lose their repre-
sentation, condition. however, not
believed probable. Wisconsin's war
Is the most serious. In the Badger
state Governor La Toilette is pitted
against what are termed the '.stal-
warts" or those supporting the two
United States senators.
Scramble for Tickets.
Contrary to many predictions of
lack of general public interest in this
convention because of the foregone
conclusion that President Roosevelt
would be nominated, the crowds of
visitors literally have overrun the
city's hostelries, while hundreds vain
ly endeavored to secure entrance
tickets to the Coliseum. Two weeks
ago the price of convention seats was
quoted at $50. and today instances
were cited where almost double that
figure was offered for the coveted
pastehoards.
Six thousand seven hundred per-
sons composed the gathering that
participated in the opening cere-
monies. Almost twice that number
would have listened to the proceed
ings had there been room, but no one
was admitted to the vast building
who was not provided with a seat.
All Must Have Seats.
The standing room only" signs
were not painted, for the reason that
since the memorable Iroquois theater
horror, the municipal laws of Chicago
have been revised so that no public
hall shall exceed its licensed seating
capacity. In the Coliseum that is
640O. The platforms upon which the
officials of the convention and the
representatives of the press sat
brought the quota to the number first
stated.
Nine hundred and eighty-eight del
egates and nearly as many alter
mates found their places at an early
hour and without confusion.
Invisible Nan Controls.
From a single controlling point in
visible to all within the hall, the
ma n pare diract ayarx, v,nrprnapt Nv
means of private system of tele-
phones, Colonel William F. Stone. col
lector of customs of Baltimore, and
sergeant-at-arms of the convention,
controls all details. Everything moves
like clockwork. A button is pushed
and the band plays. The same but
ton is pushed twice and the music
ceases, There are no noises beyond
the whispered consultations of dele
gates: no shouts, no Interruptions, no
confusion. The vast machinery neces-
sary to handle 1884 delegates and al
terhates and an army Of doorkeepers.
ushers and other assistants, operates
noiselessly and perfectly.
women Delegates.
Four women are among those at
the convention hall who occupy green
chairs, reserved for the select. They
come from western states where
women can vote to sit as alternates
In the convention. Mrs. ]. b. West
of Idaho was one of the representa-
tives to the Idaho republican con-
vention of 1900. Mrs. Jennie Nelson
OF Utah, another of the alternates,
is the wife of Charles Nelson, a prom
inent business man. 1t is her first
experience as a national delegate. She
has been a delegate to many state
conventions in Utah. Mrs. o. L. Le-
Fevre and Mrs. A. A. Eldridge come
from Colorado. The latter Is entitled
to seat as delegate. as Judge
Nixon, for whom she is alternate, Is
unable to come.
A Kurry-Up Convention.
Tentative efforts were made by the
New York delegates this morning to
rush through the program OF the con-
vention and complete all business by
tomorrow night. Many delegates be-
lioya that with tho tictat ,sttlal a..