The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-06-22
(By the Associated Press.)

Chicago. June 21.-The Republican
National Convention, the thirteenth in
the partys history, met in the Col
iseum at noon today and organized.
The grand climax, the nominations,
will not be reached until the third
day. Senator Depew calls today cur
tain-raiser for the more serious drama
of tomorrow and Thursday. The cur
tain-raised was in itself an absorbing
production.
Weather predictions were disturb
ing. There was a surge of rain in the
air and the sun had struggled all the
morning with clouds banked up over
the lake Fresh breezes from the
northwest cooled the temperature but
indoors, out of reach of the breeze,
the day was hot.
Inside the Coliseum there are about
$500 numbered seats. including The
bank of $50 rising behind the chair
man. Above this terrace of seats hung
the colossal portrait of the late Sena-
tor Hanna on a canvas go by IL feet.
Portraits of the President, with flags
about them, were placed at regular
intervals around the arlpitheatre. A
banneret of the Home Market Club of
Boston swung near thel roof opposite
the chairman.
A Huge Intelligence Machine.
Underneath the rsstrum, and
stretching the whole leAgth of the
basement was one of the most curious
sights of the conventiofl-the phara-
phernalia and the workers who COM
municated to the millions what the
thousands saw. Into ttis space was
let hundreds OF wires, TEore than 500
that connect directly with the princi-
pal newspapers of the scountry, and
with the agencies that dransmit news
over the seas.
More than Loo telephones We're
working and upward of -four hundred
telegraph instruments. n thousand
reporters, operators and messengers
manned this intelligence machine.
AS the day advanced the streets
took on an appearance bordering upon
activity Bands payedl in front of
the Auditorium and other convention
headquarters.
In former conventions marching
clubs. with banners proclaiming the
virtues or qualifications of candidates
have proved an attraction. Similar
scenes at this convention were sought
i'm vain. The few marching clubs that
are here have so far been march
less"
Bits of ribbon bearing the State
designations, an occasional Roosevelt
badge or the banner of some favorlte
son for Vice-President is what gives
distinction to the convention crowd.
Senator Lodge, of Massachusetts,
VINO is slated for the chairmanship of
the Committee on Resolutions, has de-
cided to appoint as members of the
subcommittee, which is to draft the
platform, Senator Spooner, of Wis
consin, and J. w. Blythe, of Iowa. The
latter is vigorous opponent of tariff
revision.
The Tariff Plank.
The early morning hours developed
n tendency towards the adoption of
The tariff policy outlined by the Massa-
chusetts Republican Convention,
which while recognizing the worth of
the present tariff law declares that
no schedules are sacred or necessarily
Dermanent Senator Lodge is under
stood to be the author of that plank,
and the fact that he will be chairman
of the Committee on Resolutions gives
strong color to the Surmise that he
will press similar declaration upon
the national convention. Senator Lodge
would not admit his interest in that
form of declaration.
"You cannot tell what 45 men will
do he said. His close friends say
that in private conference the Massa-
chusetts Senator has given free ex-
preston to his desire that his States
position should be sustained by the ma
tional gathering. The friends of that
policy say it is wise because it will
leave the door open for revision if
thought wise, while not making it
mandatory.
Roar For Root and Payne.
BY a quarter to twelve, each en-
trance to the floor of the great hall
was pouring in a stream of delegates.
They came in quietly. few delegations
arriving in a body. Mingling with the
strains of the band was great hum
OF conversation. but there was no dis
order The hall filled rapidly, but the