The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-06-23
THE DAYS DOINGs.

Chicago, June 23.-The Republican
national convention met at 10 o'clock
this morning with the expectation of
nominating candidates and adjourning
in time for afternoon trains. The fair
June morning was not spent in idling
on the lake front but in the packing OF
bags and eating short breakfasts. Then
of to the Coliseum, and the oratorical
flowers of men picked from each prin-
cipal division of the country of elo-
quence. Elihu Root and Speaker Can
non gave the convention soldities in
exposition and logic that were designed
to be treasures from which any cam
paigner might draw material for the
argumentatives side Of the canvass. Black
of New York, BeverIdge of Indiana.
Knight of California, Edwards Of
Georgia, Cotton of Minnesota, Cum
mings of Maryland and Dolliver OF
Iowa, had been chosen to entertain. to
stir feeling, to excite admiration and
faith in the candidates they nominated
or seconded. The Coliseum began to fill
at o'clock with the thousands permit
ted to near these men of uncommon
gifts. None of them. accustomed as
they were to great assemblages and
great occasions had ever had a more
friendly and yet a more critical au-
dience.
During the earlier hours of the day
preparations for departure as soon as
the supreme point OF interest Should
have been reached were abundant.
Some of the state headquarters were
dismantled, portraits boxed, and deco
rations were stripped from the walls
The rooms lately so animated, Where
many a good story had been told and
jolly company gathered, looked quite
dreary in their disorder and empti-
81 rr,+~, fsr,r,-
for buttons, badges and souvenirs sug-
gested to the visitor on the way to
the Coliseum that the convention was
near to closing. The office of ser
geant-at-arms looked like a baggage
room. A hundred or more pieces OF
hand luggage had been left there by
delegates, who wished to go from the
hall to the station. St Louis attracts
several hundred delegates, alternates
and correspondents, who stayed over
for special trains to the exposition to-
night and tomorrow
Their Badges Stolen.
Senators Depew, Cullom and Spoon
er have had their gold badges, worth
about $25 each, taken from theiI
coats while in the crowds at the ho-
tells. and four robberies of other dele
gates have been reported to the po-
lice.
The nomination of candidates in a
national convention is the feature
that appeals most strongly to the
public. and the number of visitors this
morning gave ample evidence OF thai
fact. Half an hour before the time
set for the opening of the convention
there were as many visitors in the
galleries as witnessed the entire
opening session of Tuesday. Not once
since the opening of the convention
have all the visitors seats been filled
but the manner in which the GROVE
poured through the entrances today
gave evidence that by the time the
gavel fell every seat would be occu
pied and the standing room jammec
to the limit. The delegates and alter
mates somewhat wearied with tht
session yesterday, were not as promp
as the spectators in their arrival, an6
the orchestra rendered about one-hal
of its days programme while Waiting
for the convention to open. Governol
Carter of Hawaii, notwithstanding
his defeat of yesterday, when h,
sought to secure an increased repre-
sentation for Hawaii on the floor O
the convention, was one of the earE
arrivals and seemed as well pleased al
though he had secured all he sough
and a few things in addition.
A few moments before the assemhlini
there was a hurried conference by tn
managers which resulted in an agree
ment that Alabama, the first state ol
the roll, would yield to New York t
nominate Roosevelt. It was also agree
that Alabama, which was the first stat
to instruct for Fairbanks, would yiel
to Iowa to place the senator's name i;
nomination for. the vice presidency
Shortly before 10 O'Clock the New Yor
delegation began to enter the hall, Sen
ator Platt at their head. With thef
came messengers bringing bundles G
flags which were to be waved when tn
president was nominated.
Greeting to COrtelyou-
Senator Beveridge and Governor Dun