The Monte Vista journal. (Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, Colo.) 1888-1921, 1908-06-20


convention Of 1908 BEGAN its delibera-
lions at noon Tuesday in the presence
of an assemblage estimated at more
than $4,000 people. Will the sounds of
patriotic airs alterna ting with the
frenzied shouts for Roosevelt, Taft and
the other popular heroes, the first toe
sin of the coming struggle from the
graceful orator OF Michigan, Senator
julius Caesar Burrows, and the initial
formalities which stared this momen,
tous gathering into motion.
The opening session lasted less than
two hours. and was loss notable for
the business accomplished than for
the opportunity 1t afforded of seeing
again this stirring picture of the peo-
pie assembled from Gerry corner of
the country to select candidate for
President of the United States. The
actual work of the day was quickly &C.
cOmplished, and the various important
committees on credentials, platform.
organization, etc, are preparing for
the more important business to come.
The credentials committee may have
to devote fourteen hours TO its work,
but will be in session continuously un-
til its report is ready for the conven-
Niph. II0SiesS was llhlt tUdu
was anticipated and the time may be
shortened.
The nomination of a candidate for
vice president is the matter most dis.
cussed.
Early in the day all roads into Chi.
cago turned toward the huge stone
pile known as the Coliseum, with its
back toward Lake Michigan and its
in har h,1,
by section OF the city.
Here centered the convention
throngs-state delegations. singly and
In groups. some with marching clubs
and bands and banners for their fay.
orites, the Ohio delegation with a huge
blue silk standard bearing the portrait
OF Secretary Taft. At front and rear
the great building was besieged by
steady streams OF humanity until at
noon almost every seat in the struc.
ture was occupied and great crowds
stood outside to catch the echoes from
within.
The scene when the vast assemblage
was called to order was one of impress.
sive dignity Of animation and of color.
In the central arena sat the delegates.
almost 1000 strong. and back of them
their alternates. another 1000 In mum.
Der. with the standards of the states
rising here and there above the turbu-
lent sea OF heads.
The points OF vantage Immediately
in front were held by Ohio. New York,
Pennsylvania. Indiana and Wisconsin.
each having candidate. while further
back rank after rank. were ranged
the other states and territories. Ha.
wall Porto Rico. the Philippine Islands
and Alaska appropriately forming the
outlying fringe OF the official delcga-
lions.
Around this central mass OF dele.
gates and alternates swept the long
lines Of spectators. In rising tiers and
In solid masses Of men and women.
the latter in gay-hucd summer gowns
and with fluttering fans and waving
handkerchiefs. Higher up another gal
lery made the entire circuit OF the vast
enclosure. Above this ever.moving
Kaleidoscope scene bent the huge
semi.circular roof, it's steel Orders
Topped with bunting and ablazc with
electric devices. while on every side
the national colors were woven into
sunbursts. shields and patriotic sym.
bols.
In front OF the delegates stretched
tha ms m moth nlu form oOO foot Suuor.
nnd Observation-Disclosures 900 ,,s,In,uishnd
guests. including ambassadors and
ministers from foreign states. besides
the officials Of the convention and
members Of the national committee.
The moments before the gavel fell gave
the opportunity to inspect the person.
mel Of the delegates and leaders.
Grouped In front Of the New York