The Topeka state journal., 1908-06-16
NEW DROPS HIS GAVEL
National Republican Chairman
Calls to Order at Noon.
Nearly All Members Of Com
mittees Have Been Named.
Senator Long Will Represent
Kansas Oh Resolutions.

her best in the way of weather cond1-
tions-which iss aging great deai-1or
the opening of the convention. A strong
breeze off the lake all day yesterday
cleared the air of the humidity which
has characterized the past few days,
and of the low-lying clouds of smoke
which to most transient visitors is the
synonym for Chicago and marked
coolness and dPyness of atmosphere, all
the afternoon and night refreshed the
crowd of delegates and visitors and
awakened them this morning ready
and eager for the momentous gather
ering at noon in the great coliseum on
wabash avenue below Fifteenth street,
where all was in readiness. rs-,
The adoption of nag day, yestef-
day to the more than ordinary spon-
taneous cooperation Of Chicago peo-
pie, regardless of party in display OF
decorations for the convention aug
mented an already generous display OF
national colors, and the sun rose out
of the great blue lake. as 1t seemed
upon a scene of futtering bunting ana
early gathering of good natured crowos
upon the streets. 1t seemed as thougn
nature herself had determined to Join
in the perfection of physical arrange
ments for an auspicious beginning OF
presidential campaign.
Early in the day the crowds began
to move toward the coliseum. Marcn-
ing clubs, playing bands and steadily
increasing crowds made gay and
picturesque scene as the day wore on
and the hour of meeting approached.
Those who gained early admission to
the convention hall found the interior
a scene of simple beauty and order. A
more fitting or more completely equip
ped place of meeting could hardly pc
imagined. Twelve thousand seats MI
every available inch Of space for suffi-
cient aisles and entrances, yet tnere
is no appearance of crowding and none
of that suggestion of temporary make
shift or unsafety that so often marks
the place of great conventions.
Decorations and Furnishings.
The aisles and platform were carpet
ed with strong mating OF plain anu
tasteful colors, and the steps and rails
dividing off the reservations Ior osie- ssi
gates, alternates. press representatives
and spectators give the impression OF
permanence and safety. g..s,
There is just decoration enough TO
beautify without interfering with am
pie light and ventilation. Broad bands
of color, red, white and, blue, veil the
front of the galleries, which extend
around the hall, looped UP at Intervals
with red rosettes midway between the
steel girders. which arch across the
hall supporting the roof. and above the
gallery a similar strip is draped upon
large, gilt five-pointed stars. At the
ends of each arch are groups OF big
flags At either end of the hall an i'm
mense eagle, with twelve feet spread
of wings, surmounts g. mass of flags.
"Old glory dominates the scene.
There is ample light from windows
and skylights and should sessions ex-
tend beyond the daylight, great clusters
of arc lights insure ample illumination.
Exits are numerous. Every precau-
ton for quick egress in case OF emer-
rency has been provided.
There is an emergency hospital, fully
equipped with two wards, operating
tables, Invalid chairs, two women and
four men nurses and staff of AZ ply
sicians. Most Of the physicians are
merely honorary members of the hos
pital staff, but they are all subject to
call in case of need.
The most unenviable position in the
convention Is that occupied by the
band which is swung on an aerial plat
part OF the hail. opposite the rostrum.
There is communication with terra
irma by way of a stairway hidden by
the bunting, but casual investigator
would think nothing short of a flying
machine could land the musicians on
their perch. A buzzer at the chairman's s
table enables him to control the music
by signals to the band leader.
Programme Is Preliminary.
Today's programme was to be
essentially preliminary, but Chairman
Harry S. New of the national COM
mittee. dropped his gavel at midday,
calling the convention. to order
The gavel used to open the conven-
ton is of more than passing historic
interest, being made from a log pre-
served from old Fort Dearborn. The
inside of the cover of the box contain
ing the gavel is left in its rough
hewn condition, showing the deep
broad axe cuts. The mallet is about a
foot long and around the head is a
silver hand, bearing an American flag
in colored enamel.
Up to a late hour last night again
early this morning, throughout the
day and after adjournment of the
preliminary session the leaders con-
tinued their work on the matters re-