The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-06-16

l
exasperated. A storm of censure and
| criticism was at once directed at
| Chairman New of the national COM
| mittee, who supervised all the press
| arrangements. The aisles between the
| rows Of seats were too narrow to per-
| NIT of passage and a correspondent at
| the far end of the row was hopelessly
| imprisoned. His only method of
| egress was to literally walk along the
| f1imsy desk upon which other men
were attempting to write. Elbow
room was at a premium and it is well
| within the confines of truth to say that
for over crowding, downright dis
comfort and general lack of
| they were supposed to be designed.
the press arrangements of the Re-
! publican convention of 1908, sur
passed anything seen at any similar
gathering in many years.
Press Arrangements Bad.
Not only were the press arrange
ments unfit to degree, but a multi
tude of SergeantS at arms the friends
or officials on the committee on ar
rangements stood at the end of most
every row of newspaper seats. occupy
| ing space to no useful purpose and
obstructing the newspaper quarters
already damned to the utmost with
correspondents who had work to per-
form and in the discharge of which
the chairman of the national COM
mittee had placed serious and I'M
necessary distractions.
The visitors sections filled more
rapidly than the floor, but the balcony
crowds were slow in recognizing the
more prominent men among the
stream of arrivals
Senator Chauncey NJ. Depew made
his way quietly to a place in the New
of the platform. Senator Kean of
New Jersey, was recognized in the
| midst of throng of new corners
Fifteen minutes before the hour
set for calling to order, the delegate
sections were not half filed but the
music of marching bands in the street
poured into the hall and the parad-
ing hosts were at hand. Fairly over
whelming the large and efficient corps
of doorkeepers and ushers, the dele
gates from score of states crowded
into their places.
The notable guests on the sneakers
platform were slow in arriving. The
first to appear were Ambassador and
Nine. JusSerand of France who soon
were followed by other members of
the diplomatic corps. to whom the
president had allotted 25 seats Mrs
Nicholas Longworth and Mrs. Tim
othy L. woodruff also occupied con-
spicuous places on the platform. 1t
was nearly IL O'Clock when Ambassa
dor and Mrs. Bryce of Great Britain,
reached the hall. Both ambassadors
and their wives were the recipients of
much attention. Conspicuous among
the diplomats was Minister WI Ting
Fang of China.
Among the other distinguished per-
sons on the platform were Mr.. and
Mrs. f. H. Gary Of New York; Daniel
Ransdell, sergeant-at-arms of the SEN
ate: Mrs. Frank Lowden and Right
Rev. Muldoon of Chicago.
CaJifOrnia,S T3auner
A gold banner of California, heavy
with gilt fringe and tassels was car
ried at the head of the delegation and
was greeted with applause as the del.
egation arrived just before the noon
hour. 1t was the finest banner on dis.
play at the convention.
The ever ready band in it's lofty ball
cony and all but hidden behind the
outstretched wings. of IAN immense
bronze eagle played "a vigorously
throughout the proceedings and when
at a loss for a new selection simply
repeated the "Star Spangled Banner
to an appreciative audience: The pa
triotic anthem was always sure of
demonStrative welcome. -t
A baritone singer with a powerful
voice sang "Tipperary" to the delight
of the ASSEMBLING crowds.
Senator Lodge headed the Massa-
chusetts delegation with a seat on the
center aisle about seven rows from the
front. The Kansas delegation could
easily be made out. Their lapelS were
lost behind immense sunf1owers. A
La Toilette banner bearing the slogan
Physical valuation of railroads." was
displayed for moment by a member
of the Wisconsin delegation. but soon
disappeared from view. The exchange
of badges had been so general during
the past two days that some of the
members of the convention seemed
decorated with the ribbons and medals
of nearly every state in the Union.
At IL O'Clock, the hour set for the
opening of the convention, there was
no indication that it would be called to
order Cor some time. Chairman New
was not in evidence on the platform,
several of the leading delegations were
represented only in meagre fashion,
the seats of Indiana in particular be-
ing untenanted. Ohio was also con-
spicuous for the long rows of empty
chairs. In the gallery possibly two
fifth of the seats were emprv although
the spectators were thronging the en-
trance in a fashion that promised to
fill them speedily.
At five minutes after IL Sergeant
alarms Stone gave vent for the first
time to the cry so often heard in all
conventions. He came to the front Of
the speakers rostrum calling out:
Clear the aisles; the sergeants-at-
arms will clear the aisles" And as
the case has always been in all con-
ventions the aisles were not cleared
and the sergeants-at-arm did nothing.
Wisconsin Starts Something.
Wisconsin produced the first hustle
of enthusiasm shown the personnel of
any particular delegation. A ponderous
man climbed upon a chair and waving
wide black hat led the Badgers in the
cry, 'Hoo-rah-rah" three times. repeat-
ed the name of Senator LaFollette he
ing brought in at the end with vim and
energy Their cheer was not particu-
larly contagious, however, and no other
state Joined their lead. The band in the
gallery followed Wisconsin with its
own outburst of noise and as II started
off with Dixie" it brought forth that
quick sharp yell Of appreciation that
invariably greets the air wherever it