The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-05-19

| up-to o-date hosteleries have been erected since the disastrous fire which swept | away over one hundred millions of doi- | lars worth of property. The fire really did Baltimore good Fortunately the losses fell upon the rich people of the city who were able to stem the tide. and to this day 1t is the boast of the resi- dents to be able to say they were not compelled to pass the hat around" to help out the men and women suddenly | thrown out of employment
 Baltimore is also fortunate in having an armory which seats an enormous | number of people--all that probably might attend if the Democrats should decide to hold the convention there.
 As this is subject which-will engage the attention of the politicians during the next six months 1t may prove inter- esting to refer to some of the past con- ventions. Since the civil war, Chicago and St. Louis have had more of the na- tiona1 conventions than any of the other cities of the Union. The most numer- ously attended convention ever held was the Democratic convention, which met in Chicago in 1896 when William J. Bryan by his Gross of Gold and Crown of Thorns" speech. captured tho nomination. Outside of the space re- served for delegates, alternates, the press and the telegraphers. there were actually 26,000 numbered seats. And they were nlleQ every uhy Wniic tH0 convention was in session. The em- pioyes also managed to smuggie in over 2,000 more people who had standing room only That was too big gather ing for comfort. Mir. Bryan was the only man who had lung power enough to enable the vast assemblage to hear his remarks David Bennett Hill, John W. Daniel, "Joe" Blackburn and many other shining lights in that memorable gathering could not be heard half way across the hall. Even Senator Tillman, with his emphatic and screeching voice had to give up all hope of reaching the average listener and content himself V ith letting the press associations send out his remarks: and as for the then Senator Jones of Arkansas, why he sim ply was doing pantomine act while on his feet to discuss the report of the Committed on Resolutions.
 In modern times the greatest dis comforts experienced at national con vention by delegates and visitors was at Minneapolis in 1892, when the late President Benjamin Harrison was re- nominated. With only two or three exceptions the Minneapolis hotels were miserable excuses at such a time, and the visitors as rule had many dis comforts to put up with. As is always the case the more prominent people m attendance fared very well. and those who attended that convention will ever remember that not only the leading men of Minneapolis but those of the rival city of St. Paul threw open their houses to make it as pleasant as pos sible for the visitors.
 Missouri Is Lucky.
 It Is a peculiar thing that Missouri is the only State in the Union which has two cities capable of entertaining a national convention in proper shape St. Louis and Kansas City of course, being the places. In 19c0 1t is well known the Republican convention met in Philadelphia and renominated the late President Mckinley. and put on the ticket for Vice President Theo- dore Roosevelt. A few weeks later the Democratic convention assembled at Kansas City and nominated Bryan ana Stevenson. Delegates. newspaper cor respondents and others who had never had occasion to stop over in Kansas City dreaded going there, Tor they looked upon Kansas City as sort or wild Western town with poor hotels But they were amazed to discover that Kansas City really at that time had more hotels even than Philadelphia.a& The advertising Kansas City got out of that convention did the place world of good.
 The Empire State of New York hasn't two cities capable of providing for the wants of the people should national convention be held within It's Dorders. New York City is usually crowded with visitors from all parts of the world, and national conventions do not meet there. Her hotel men do not even try to secure them. Buffalo. the second city in the State, has not sur ficient number of hotels. Rochester Syracuse and Albany are out of the question. Philadelphia since 1900 has improved in the hotel line, and could
 but not do 1t seven years ago. Pittsourg' the second city in population in the Keystone State, is noted for its bad hotels. There Is no city Tn ohio wnicn could possibly accommodate a natlonai convention, for the hotels of Cleve- land, Cincinnati and Columbus are not up to the mark in number or size com pared with those in which most of the national conventions have been held within the past quarter of century.
 The Daring ROOseveIts.
 Of late President Roosevelt and Mrs. Roosevelt have been having some dar,, ing rides across country in Maryland and Virginia. They are very fond or horseback riding. and the President on a fiery steed has been % making some
 New snap shots have been taken of these performances. but it is doubtful if the photographers have been able
 
 secured about three years ago. That photo is a marvel of its kind. The MT. Proctor of Kentucky, then head of the Civil Service Commission. was out riding with the President. The picture has been the best seller any Washington photographer has ever had. having netted up to the present time over $10,000 for the man who had the copyright on 1t. There has been a big demand for 1t in Europe, par ticularly in Great Britain and Ger many. Rights for the picture have been sold over there. and the profits realized are outside of those received by the local firm here. The photog- raphers are reticent, but from what they say it Is evident they have not secured as good a snap shot as the one referred to.
 Some of the Presidents closest friends think he takes too many risks in these high jumps over fences. He, however, tells them that he has no fear, trusting to the fine nags he rides, and that as long as he retains his health and Xigor he expects 10