The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-07-08
MENTION OF CLEVELAND
CREATES ENTHUSIASM

ters from his desk in an effort 10 pound
the convention into order so that he
could proceed with his address, a man
in the vicinity of the New York dele
cation was seen motioning delegates
and spectators to continue their ap-
plause and encouraging the galleries
to ignore the chairmans order for 81
ience. The man resented Interference
from the sergeant-at-arms and in the
end was elected from the convention
hall. The disturbance was of a rough
and tumble order. though no blows
were struck.
Persons Of Distinction on the Platform.
Many persons of distinction were
gwen places on the platform. Among
the distinguished visitors were Mrs.
Charles Mercer Hall, daughter of Judge
Parker; Mr.. Daniel Manning, Circuit
Attorney Folk, of st. Louis, and Dis
trict Attorney Jerome. of New York;
former Senator Reagan, the only sur
viving member of the Jefferson Davis
cabinet; Senators Bacon Of Georgia,
and Bailey of Texas; former Governor
D. B. Francis. president of louisiana
Purchase Exposition, and Governor
Mcmillan, of Tennessee.
Little political scheming was in prog
ress on the floor of the convention hall.
| The anti-Parker delegates were so
much in the minority that there ap-
peared to be no basis for clever manip-
! ulation. The action Of Ohio late last
night, closely following Pennsylvania s
! declaration for the New York 1urist,
| and the band wagon tendencies dis
! played by other delegations which had
been counted in the Parker ranks, had
| a telling effect upon the opposition.
; Though opponents professed not to be
| disheartened by stories of Parker gains,
and continued to claim that more than
one-third of the delegates had pledged
| themselves never to vote for Parker,
| few persons could be found who were
! willing to- listen to those who were
backing the field against the favorite.
A Shirt Sleeve Convention.
By the time a majority of the dele
gates had arrived at the Coliseum,
i been absorbed. Fans were waving Wig
orously in all parts of the hall. Coats
were not long in coming off, collars and
; ties were loosened and the picture was
! that of a shirt sleeve convention. The
; example set today is sure to bring
! converts and tomorrow it is safe to
say a majority will disregard the con-
ventionalities,- in the interest of COM
fort by doffing their coats. The day
was Oppressively warm outside, and in
the hall was uncomforta BILE to the ex-
treme. Windows but half opened and
the roof ventilators had been sacrificed
in beautifying the interior of the hall.
Many Unable to Hear Williams Speech.
With the exception of the tinder
ignited by the mention of Cleveland's 8
name, the speech of the temporary
chairman was received practically with
out interruption. a few passages were
applauded. but that was all. The fault
was not with the speech, but principal
hall. MIR. Williams had not been speak
ing more than five minutes before it
was apparent that many persons would
be unable to hear him. Cr0Wding OF
the platform made conditions worse.
The police and ushers had difficulty In
maintaining pasSa gewayS in the main
body of the hall.
The applause which greeted Mr.. VII
liams at the conclusion of his speech
attested his popularity with the dele
gates. Though they had heard only a
small part of what he had said, the
cheering by delegates and spectat tors
amounted to an ovation.
st. Louis, July 6.-The Democratic
| national convention convened here to-
day. Long before the doors were
swung open, vast crowds thronged the
streets in the vicinity of the main en-
trance TO the exposition building.
where the convention met.
In the Surging line were men and
women and visiting political organi-
cations, eagerly seeking entrance. Those
who have charge of the distribution of
the tickets of admission have been de-
luged with requests for them but a 5
cards have been provIued only to the
extent of the seating capacity of the
hall, many persons were disappointed.
Fine Decorative Effect
The decorations of the convention
hall were undertaken on a most elab-
crate scale, and the pleasing and effec-
tive 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 fioun-
ces cf a white material, carrying out
the architectural design. Within each
of these 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 national emb-
lens, forming frame for the colossal
color picture over head. The Splendor
of the vari-colored gowns, worn by the
large number of ladies occupying seats
in the galleries, and the ever moving
fans give the finishing touch and COM
pleted q scene both spectacular and
picturesque. Flowers were eliminated
of the bouquets on the tables on the
chairman's platforms, plants and bios
SONS were not in evidence, prefereOe
having been given by the designers TO
more enduring decorative materials.
The Hall an Admirable One.
The hall is an immense amphitheatre,
admiral bly, arranged for' q national con-
vention and especially arranged so that
all available room may be utilized to
the greatest possible advantage. Those
charged with the preparation evidently
graSped the situation. The accomodi-
tions for the general public and espe-
ciaIly for press, are much more COM
plete than they were at the Chicago
convention, and the best for the latter
that have ever been provided at nat
ional convention. every FACILITY for the
reporting of the proceedings and the
prompt dispatch of the news to the
world at large being AFFORDED.
A. stream of visitors and drizzle or