New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-21
THOSE ST. LOUIS RIOTERS.
Reasons Why Their Enthusiasm
Vas Lacking in Chicago.
rrzo,l TIE TRIBUNE BUREAU

washington. July 20--To the few persons who
a--ended both national conventions this year an
as-or,shing difference vas observable. AT the
,0.,nblican convention at Chicago absolute or
sa- characterized all Of the sessions, and every
,b,ne moved with such clocklIke precision as 10
surrest the of used expression 'cut and dried"
A, me Democratic convention at ST Louis order
vas conspicuous by fits nbsence.
IN Chicago no man gained admission 10 the
contention hall without a ticket. The conse-
,rance was that the atsles We're always clear.
lie chairs were filled. and yet no one stood be-
,,vsell them or blocked the view Of those en-
tried 20 seats Enthusiasm there was in plenty,
~, fl Was never necessary 10 announce from
-ts .istforrn that the police would be instructed
- clear the galleries nor were there any Of those
EVIDENCES Of rowdylsln which so marred the pro-
oeed!res al 81. Louis and which at times actu-
ally deceived trained observers as 70 the real
sentiment Of the convention.
~ 81 Louis every doorkeeper. every assistant
sergeent-at-arms. every policeman admitted
such Of his friends as he chose. People without
a vestige Of right occupied seats for which
others held the coupons. At frequent intervals
The chairman was obliged 10 use threats 70 clear
the galleries and the aisles were packed until
nothing but good fortune prevented the frightful
catastrophe which must have followed had any
hing occurred TO cause a panic. In both con-
vsrI,on halls injunctions against smoking were
,o1snicuously posted At Chicago one thought
;, violating the prohibition. AT st. Louis II was
.-eorently violated. ever by delegates them
selves.
T, chicago q seat was Furnished TO every
,,s-,ber Q. the press whose duty required his
attendance and the press reservation so
situated that correspondents could see and hear
oil rnat was going on. and write accurate and
cornprehensive reports without leaving their
eoats AL St Louis the space set apart for the
--ass was larger ;nan al Chicago. but il was in
srch an awkward place that only one-third OF
,bs ooc,Insnts could either see or hear anything
,aat Was done or said. Furthermore. all Of
,ba norton Of the reservation which afforded
II. occupants at opportunity properly to report
40 convention was accorded TO representatives
ri rural papers, who did no work in the con-
,ertjon so had were the arrangements.
lack Of Them. tina; at ore evening session friends
NJ me assistant sergeant-at-srrns were allowed
% steal most of the press seats, and more than
ere representative OF a metropolitan daily wrote
his running account Of the session on his knees
Such facts were obvious TO the most super
fetal observer but 10 only a few is known the
careful and painstaIing work which secured
such perfection OF detail and order at the Re-
pu5licsn convention. Leading members Of the
national committee went 10 Chicago several
weeks before the convention. Every detail was
carefully scrutinized. Ushers. policemen and
assistant sergeants-at-arms were carefully and
painstakingly rehearsed IN their duties for
week before the convention. We're also the
doorkeepers.
At the head Of each aisle was posted police
nan In each aisle there were usher and an
assistant sergeant-at-a arms. At the foot Of each
aisle was a telephone. The sergeant-at-arrns
seated on the platform. was provided with tele-
phone connected with those scattered through
cut the hall. At the least suggestion OF con-
fusion or disorder he could instantly comnluni-
cate with any or all parts OF the hall. instruct
his assistants to 90 here or there. or designate
extra ushers to render assistance where it was
needed.
Eighty policemen duty in the hail.
fully half OF whom were in citizens clothes and
many OF whom We're out OF sight but ready TO
render any service requested on the instant.
While no effort was made TO check proper en-
thusiasm, any excess Of spirit which found vent
in demonstrations likely annoy or inconyen-
fence other people was instantly checked. not
by any ostentatious show OF authority, bat by
q policeman in citizens dress who, at the tele-
phoned order from the sergeant-at-arTns. irnne-
diately went 10 the offending individual and
warned him TO desist. quietly showing his star
Is authority
The cut and dried" appearance OF the con-
venJion may have detracted from the enthu-
Easn, according TO certain conceptions OF
but The absolute order contributed
10 the comfort OF those who at
tended the convention. facilitated the work Of
the asseTnblage and completely eliminated the
grave danger which surrounded every one who
attended the overcrowded Coliseum at St Louis.
To Elmer Dover was due much Of the credit for
The perfect arrangements at Chicago, and those
who attended the st. Louis bear garden as
Il termed by the local press, deplored the
fact that the Democratic National Committee
had been unable TO secure the services Of an
equally competent manager Of convention de-