The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-06
CROWDS SEEK ENTRANCE.
Distributors of Tickets Are DeIuged
With Requests for Them.

St Louis, July 6.-The Democrats
national convention convened today in
the exposition building. This monster
meeting place. within the walls of
which Democracy standard bearers are
to be named was the mecca for all
whose interest here centerS in the CON-
vention. The scenes of activity have
been transferred from the hotels to this
one common point. The corridors of
the former where in for several days
past all has been excitement were de-
serted soon after the morning hours.
Long before the doors were swung
open vast crowds thronged the streets
in the vicinity of the main entrance.
In the surging line were men and wO-
men, and visiting political organiza-
ttons, eagerly seeking entrance. Those
who have charge of the distribution CT
the tickets for admission have been de-
luged with requests for them, but as
extent of the seating capacity of the
hall, many persons were disappointed.
Elaborate Decorations.
The preliminary skirmishes have ta-
ken place and the big contest for the
nomination for president is now on in
earnest. The decoration of the conven-
tlon hall was undertaken on most
elaborate scale and the pleasing and
effective general scheme has been car
ried out to the minutest detail.
The great dome ceiling which rises
nigh above the floor is covered with
a fabric of solid yellow, with here and
there f1ounces of a white material car
rying out the architectural design.
Within each of the sections of the CELL
ing is the star of one of the states and
a stand of colors, while the front of
the gallery spaces are festooned with
white cloth. The walls are adorned
with the national emblems. The splen-
dor of the vari-colored gowns worn by
the large number of ladies occupying
seats in the galleries gave the finishing
touches completed a scene both spec
ception of the bouquets on the tables
on the chairman's platform, plants and
blossoms were not in evidence.
The accommodations for the general
The hall is an immense amphitheater
public, especially for the press, are
much more complete than they were
at the Chicago convention and the best
for the latter that have ever been pro-
vided at a national convention, every
facility for the reporting of the proceed
ing and the prompt dispatch of the news
to the world at large being afforded.
The participants in the convention
proceedings occupy positions on the
main floor which forms an elipse, the
chairman'S platform with ample sea ting
capacity, rising at the center in the
rear. The section allotted to the dele
gates is directly in front of this plat
form A large Standard-a red. white
and blue disc-designates the location
of the various delegations by states and
incidentally adds to the attractiveneSS
of the spectacle. On either side of the
delegates position provision has been
made for the alternates. the press seats
being located the immediate sides
of the chairman's platform.
Band of 80 Pieces.
Directly opposite the platform and
in the rear of the delegs tes is a stand |
where a band of 80 pieces played |
throughout the convention, filing in |
the gaps with stirring music.
The galleries encircle the ellipse, |
the seats rising on tiers. Seats on the /
platform and one section of the gall |