The Savannah morning news., 1904-03-19
FOR CHICAGO
CONVENTION
WILL BE A TAME AFFAIR.
ROOSEVELT AND FAIRBANKS THE
Acknowledged TICKET.

No Dispute About the PIatfOrm-Dec-
Orations VIII BE Feature of the
DispIay-COnVentiOn VIII Be Com
posed of 1000 Delegates The
Handling of the 10000 People in
the Convention Hall no Small
Matter.
BY r. NJ. Larner.
Washington, March 1S.-But little
enthusiasm is manifested here over the
Republican convention at Chicago
next June. Senator Scott, who is
chairman of tho Committee on Prepa-
rations, admitted as much to-day, al
though his committee is doing every
thing possible to make Chicago an at
tractive Mecca during the convention
week
In the first place there is that side
show down at st. Louis, as some IA
cetious politicians are inclined to term
the great exposition. Most everybody
who otherwise would attend the Chi
cago convention and who could go to
only one of the places will prefer to
save their money and spend week at
the fair True, those who have plenty
of money, can visit the Republican
convention and then journey to St.
Louis and see the fair, but many peo-
pie haven't the money for both trips.
Everything Cut and Dried.
Then nearly everything at Chicago
xx-i11 In l,,sa loo L.
certain that Roosevelt will be nomi-
mated for the presidency. 1t is almost
certain now that Fairbanks, the senior
senator from Indiana, will be nomi-
mated for Vice President. Senator
Scott admitted that the name of the
vice presidential candidate would be
fully agreed upon before the conven-
ton meets. There is no dispute about
the platform. One could forecast now
very nearly what the platform will be.
In one thing, however, the conven-
ton promises to be more interesting
than Republican conventions hereto
fore. 1t is proposed to drape the big
coliseum in profusion of colors, and
in an artistic taste that has never be-
fore been equalled at a national con-
vention. For two or three weeks be-
fore the convention assemblies a small
army of men will be at work in an
effort to transform the great meet
ing place into a wonderful picture
such as men Will be willing to travel
far to look upon. Undoubtedly there
will be an unusual programme of
speaking, both in the convention hall
and at certain of the state headquar-
ters. The orators will probably be
t1Irnpd lnnca n a a1ofht1ci q mr.
to 'whoop it up" generally for the
ticket and for the party.
One Thousand Delegates.
There will be approximately 1000 del
egates in the convention, and as Inany
alternates. An outcry from these del
egates and alternates is expected about
convention time. because of the few
seats they are allowed. These allot-
ments of ten or fifteen seats for every
day of the convention, constitutes
about all the perquisites that fall to
these president makers. However, the
Committee on Preparations has done
the best possible.
When the boomers from Chicago
came here last December they promised
the National Committee that the coliee-
UNI would seat 1850 people. But the
Iroquois Theater fire aroused the Chi.
cago authorities to the necessity for
different seating arrangements, in pub
lie halls. Accordingly they ordered
that the aisles in the coliseum should
be made wider and more space should
be allowed for each individual seat.
That arrangement will cut down the
seating capacity of the hall, or audi
torium to $500.
Planning to Handle the Crowds.
And in that connection it can be
stated that unusual precautions will
be taken to prevent any possible c2s-
ualty at the convention. Sergeant-at-
Arms w. F. Stone of Baltimore. CLANS
to go to Chicago about the middle of
May. At about that time he will nom
mate his hundreds of deputies, ard
they will be summoned early to Chi
cago, where they will be thoroughly
drilled in their duties. In that par
ticular feature of the preparations far
greater caution will be exercised than
has been exercised in connection with
any previous Republican convention.
Much of the other work is a matt ar of
detail, that cannot be decided upon till
the date for the convention is near at
hand There will be thousands of
badges of different kinds to be pre-
pared, badges for the delegates, badges
for the alternates. badges for the
press, and badges for the deputy SER
geant-at-arms.
The Coliseum Hall.
The hall of the coliseum is in the
shape of large rectangle. The chief
entrance of the twelve different en-
frances is from one of the long sides.
Right opposite this entrance, but at
the middle point of the opposite long
side, a great platform will be built
On that platform will be seated MEM
bers Of the National Committee and
many distinguished Republicans, many
of whom will be specially invited.
Right in front of this big platform and
forming part of it will be a smaller
platform, where the presiding officer
will be stationed. The seats for news
paper correspondents, making daily
Geographic reports to their papers
will be on the floor, extending around
the three sides both of the large and
the small platform. The number CT
these seats win be limited to 272, but
in another part of the hall further
seats will be provided for the numer-
GUS correspondents of weeklies and
for magazine writer's and photogra-
piers.
Arrangement of the Seats.
Immediately in front of the little
platform for the presiding officers and