Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-07-07
Open Their National Con :
vention at St.;,Louis.
John S. Williams, Mississippi,
Temporary Chairman.
Cheers for Bryan and Cleveland fran,
Enthusiastic Admirers but the Parker
Boom Is Far Ahead of Any Other
Following.

-. Louis. Mo-, July G.-The Don,o.
cratic National convention convanaa
here'' Wednesday. 1t is being held il,
the Exposition building on Olive street
rms monster meeting place. within
the wallis OF which DemOcracy's stand
ara bearers are to be named was the
mecca for all whose interest here CEN
tors In. the convention. The scenes of
activity have, been transferred from
the hotels to this one common no,nt
The corridors OF the former whereio
for several days past, all has been ex.
element were deserted soon after the
morning hours.
i Long before the doors We're swung
open vast crowds thrpnged, the streets
III the vicinity of the main entrance to
the Exposition building. In the surg
ing line were men and women and WIS.,
iting political organizations, eagerly
seeking entrance. Those who have
charge Of the distribution, of the tickets
fer admission have been deluged with
requests Cor them but as cards have
been provided only to the extent of the
seating capacity of the hall, many per-
sons We're disappointed.
ht preliminary SklfnlSneS nave tax
en- place and the big contest for the
nomination of President is now on in
earnest.
The decoration Of the convention hall
was on 4 most elaborate scale. The
great dome ceiling which ri,cs high
above the floor is covered with fabric
Of solid yellow. with here and there
f1OuHces of a white material. Within
each CT the sections of the ceiling is
the seal of one Of the states and 4
stand of cOlors, while in front of the
gallery spaces are festo0ns of white
cloth. The walls are adorned with the
the colossal color picture overhead. The
splendor Of the vari-cOlOred gowns
worn by tho large number of ladies oc-
cupying seats in tn" galleries and the
moving fans completed n scene specta-
cular and picturesque.
The hall is an immense amphitheater.
admirably arranged for n national con-
vcntiOn. The accommodations for the
general public and especially for the
press are much more complete than
they were 1T the Chicago convention
and the best for tire latter that have
ever been provided .at national con-
vontion, every facility Nor the reporting
of tho proceedings and prompt dispatch
of the news to the world a't large being
afforded. t.,
The participants in the cohyention
proceedings occupy positions ON the
main floor which forms an ellipsrh the
chairman's platform with ample seat
ing capacity rising ut the center in tine
rear. Tho section allotted to the def-
egates is directly in front of this plat
form. A large standard-a red, white
and blue disc-dcSignates the location
Of the various delegations by states and
adds to the attraCtiveness of the spec
tacle.
On either side of the delegates posi-
ton provision had been made for the
altcrnatts, the press seats being locat-
ed on the Immediate sides of the chair
mans platform.
Directly opposite the PLATFORM and in
the rear of the delegates IS stand
where Il hand Of 80 pieces plavs
throughout the convention filling in the
gaps with stirring music. The PLATFORM
and ban.lstand have been deeorared In
harmony with fhc whole scheme, the
nations emblem psrdolnirating.
The galleries encirCla the eclipse, the
seats rising in tiers. Seats on the plat
form and one section of the gallery I'M
mcdiately in its rear is reserved for
governors. r'Yfnbers of Congress, may
ors OF cities and others of distinction
and prominence in the party. A hOspi-
tai has been provided in the ante-rooms
and is fully equipped with all needed
medical stores and surgical apparatus
and with constant attendance. Large
exits. adequately marked, afford ready
egress from the hall.
Officials of the convention and large
corps of attendants busted themselves
throughout the morning hours perfect
inc the remaining details and with the
oDeninC of the doors looked to the seat
ing of the delegates, alternates and
spectators.
Naturally the opening speech of John
Sharpe Williams. leader of the minority
on the 1OOr of the national House or
Congress and chosen by the Democrat
ic national. committee for temporary
chairman, Was awaited with keen inter-
est as he ftdU OtOIl 1CtSdtN" w 'o"'~
the keynote of the campaign and az 1t
was known that he would deal with
questions which will be of vital impor-
lance in the coming struggle for party
supremacy. .--.-.--
The day opened cloudy with COM
Portable atmosphere which has beer
tempered by frequent showers through
ont the week.
Exactly at noon Chairman ]. r..
Jones, Of the national committee called
the convention to order. His appear
ance on the platform and the SOUND
OF his gavel brought forth a cheer
from the floor and galleries.
Chairman Jones directed the ser
geant-at arms to secure order. He con-
tinued belaboring the table with MS
gayel but II was some time before
quiet reigned.
California's appearance with huge
(Continued on page ~ .a.~.-