Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-06

able atmosphere, WnlCn mas DeeH tcHupelcu
by frequent showers throughout the week
A stream of visitors and driZNe or oele-
gates and alternates were pouring INTO the
hall an hour before the time set Tor the
opening of the convention. The Dig men,
the directors of political strategy, were
not as prompt In arriving. Besides the nov
city of viewing a great convention, many OF
the delegates are constantly haunteo py tne
dread that a conspiracy Is afoot to de-
prive them of their seats, and, fearful OF a
catastrophe in the great demand for tickets
which has existed for the last few days.
the anxious ones hurried to plant them-
selves in their seats before any other per
| son should pre-empt them. The hall ltsell
is not well lighted by the sun, there oeing
windows on but three sides, and these ale
close to other buildings.
Prospects of Hot Session.
There is no opening in the roof to permit
the escape of the heated air and even De-
fore one-tenth of the delegates hao ar
rived 1t had become uncomfortably warm
The windows open but half way, and are on
the level of the top row Of seats In the
gallery. The prospects for a warm con-
vention, aside from any political heat that
may be engendered during the proceedings
were therefore of promising character.
By the time the hall was one-third nlied
the heat Gsgan to increase to notlceaoie
degree. The great majority of the dele
gates and visitors had provided themselves
with fans and the auditorium viewed from
the speakers stand was one yellow nut.es
as the palm-leaf fans bobbed back ana
forth The delegates lost but little time In
getting outside of their coats, and the com
plexion of the lower part of the hall, plack
at first became lighter and lighter as the
coats disappeared and the shirt sleeves
became evident. With the exception or the
temperature, which was serious dra"pack
to the Illusion. the effect was not unlike
a slow snowfall gradually whitening the
surface of the ground.
Even the corpulent and Impressive ponce
men who guarded the aisle in front OF the
speakers desk walked back and forth win
their helmets pushed Dack, tanning 'hein-
selves vigorously.
The Lucky Delegations.
In the drawing for seats, Pennsylvania
and Michigan were the fortunate ones, op-
tanning the loca tons directly in front of the
speakers stand. Alabama was directly be-
hind Pennsylvania on the right Of the hall,
facing the speakers stand. Illinois was on
the left of Alabama. the keystone state
covering both Directly behind Illinois was
Colorado: behind Colorado came Ken
tucky and then, two-thirds Of the way
back to the rear of the hall was Nebraska.
Alaska was the only territory that drew
good position being we'll up on the left,
while Hawaii and Oklahoma were clear
back at the end of the hall. New York was
we'll fixed. being in the front row just to
the left of Michigan. Indiana was directly
behind New York, while Massachusetts
Jared the worst of any of the great states.
being in the last row with Oklahoma.
The first ripple of applause that went
across the convention came from the gall
leries when the Texas delegation marched
in bearing its 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 the
Texans had arrived, and was greeted with
applause. This was five minutes before II.
nd n that time not haDdclaD had
been offered to any man who had entered
the hall. The platform was crowded with
members of the national committee, but the
crowd paid no attention to them.
Action of Philippine Delegates.
The Philippine delegation came in with
it's banner, which not floating free
like those that had entered before it. 1t
was American flag of silk wrapped
closely around the staff and tied hard and
fast. This was done, according to one of
the Philippine delegation with deliberate
intent" if to show that the democratic
convention did not recognize the Philippines
as part of the nation. Chairman Guffey of
Pennsylvania strobe in closely behind the
Philippine flag and was heartily cheered.
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. daugh-
ter of Judge Parker, and Mrs. Daniel Man
ming.
District Attorney Folk of St. Louis was
also included in the list of early comers
and whether by accident or design, he oc-
Cupied a seat in close proximity to Mr..
Jerome of New York
Convention Called to Order.
Exactly at noon Chairman J. K. Jones of
the national committee called the conven-
ton to order. His appearance on the plat
form and the sound of his gavel brought
forth cheer from the floor and galleries.
Chairman Jones directed the sergeant-at-
arms to preserve order. He continued be-
laboring the table with his gavel, but it
was some time before quiet reigned Cali
fornias appearance with huge silk BAN
ner and silk American flags and a yell,
California California;! Hearst Hearst,
Hearst. caused cheering.
Just as the California delegation reached
Its reservation after marching up and down
the center aisle, William J. Bryan, who
had come in unnoticed, arose in his place
and was given cheer. Then an enter
prising member of the Montana delegation
created diversion by vigorously ringing
a bell.
Again Chairman Jones dema nded that
the convention be in order, and at once
directed the secretary to read the call for
the convention.
Applause followed the reading of the call
After quiet was restored Chairman Jones
announced that the convention would be
opened by prayer by Rev. John F. Can
non, pastor of Grand Avenue Baptist
Church OF st. Louis.
DR.. Cannon's Prayer
Rev. DIR. Cannon delivered the following
Invocation:
Almighty God, Father, which art in
heaven, in all our ways we would acknowl-
edge Thee in order that Thou may direct
our paths. We bow ourselves in Thy pres
ence and acknowledge Thee as the God in
whose hands our breath is and whose are
all our ways. Lift Thou up the light of Thy
countenance upon us. and bless us first of
all in the forgiveness of all our sins. Turn
our hearts from every evil way and incline
US to the way of Thy statutes. Humbly and
gratefully We acknowledge Thee as the
source of all our blessings. the giver of
every good and perfect gift. We thank
Thee for thine unfailing goodness to us as
a people Thou hast dealt kindly and well
with Thy servants. Thou hast cast our lot
In pleasant land, and we have a goodly
| heritage. May We have the blessedness of
that people whose God is the Lord Give
us that righteousness which exalteth ma
ton, and save us from sin which is a re-
proach TO any.people. Let peace and plenty
prevail within all our borders and lot