Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-06-16
Tho OPENING Scenes.

Chicago, June 16.-The doors of the
open at 1890, and first visitors, and
delegates and alternates began to filter
in. High up in the girders of the great
arching roof band struck up "Ameri-
ca" and the first scene of the 1908
gathering was under way. The decor
ative scheme in the hall was purely a
patriotic one, with gracefully draped
flags predominating. Women We're
largely represented in the first arriv-
ing throngs and took q lively interest
in the incidents Of the opening. 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, altho now and then spontane-
Gus handclapping denoted the enthusi-
asm Of some appreciative spectator.
Fifteen minutes before the hour set
for calling the convention to order, the
delegate section was not half filled, but
the music Of marching bands in the
street poured into the hall and the
parading hosts were at hand. Fairly
overwhelming the large and efficient
corps Of doorkeepers and ushers, dele
cations from score of states crowded
into their places. Notable guests on the
speakers platform were slow in ar
irving. The first to appear were Am
bassador and Madame Jusserand.
Notables Among Spectators.
They were soon followed by other
members of the diplomatic corps, to
whom President Roosevelt had allotted
twenty-five seats. Mrs. Nicholas
Longworth and Mrs. Timothy L. Wood
ruff also occupied conspicuous places
on the platform. It was nearly IL
o'clock when Ambassador 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 Wu Ting Fang,
of China. A barytone singer with a
powerful voice, sang '"Tipperary," to
the delight Of the assembling crowds.
A LaF'ollette banner, bearing the slo.
gan, physical valuation of railroads"
was displayed for moment by a
of the Wisconsin delegation,
but soon disappeared from view.
Press Justly Indignant.
When the newspaper correspondents
reached their seats, and surveyed the
facilities" provided for their work,
they were indignant, and exasperated.
A storm of censure and criticism was
at once directed at Chairman New OF
the national committee, who super
vised all the press arrangements The
aisles between the rows of seats were
too narrow to permit 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
the other men were attempting to
write. Elbow room was at a premium,
and it is we'll within the confines of
truth to say that for overcrowding,
downright discomfort and general lack
Of adaptability to the purposes for
which they were supposed to be de-
signed. the press arrangements of the
republican convention of 1908 sur
passed anything seen at any similar |
in many years.
New Opens Convention.
At 12:45 Chairman Harry S. New
called the convention to order, and
said
"The hour has arrived for the repre-
sentatives of the republican party to !
meet in it's fourteenth national con-
yention at the end of almost twelve
years of the most brilliant !
in the history of the
world There are those present in this
audience today who participant
ID in the party's first con-
and the accomplishments |
If that party within so brief a span
Is the life of men yet living, are al
most beyond belief. We are here to
assert our pride in what has been done.
@ approve the achievements of the
oast, more especially to commend and
.ndorse the administration Of Theodore
Roosevelt and those policies which.