The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-06-16

7
There looms up on the horizon the
prospect of a big fight on the injunction
plank in the tentative platform. Lines
are closing for a supreme test of
strength, and the contest seems likely
to reach the floor of the convention.
Chicago put forth her best in The way
OF weather conditions for the opening
OF the convention. The delegates and
visitors had awakened today ready and
eager for the momentous gathering at
noon in the great Coliseum on Wabash
avenue. wher all was in readiness.
The addition of Flag Day yesterday
to the more han ordinary spontaneous
cooperation of Chicago people regard
less of party, in display of decorations
for the convention, augmented an al
ready generous display of national col
ors. and the sun rose out of the great
blue lake. as it seemed, upon a scene
of huttering bunting and early gath
ering of ~good-natured crowds upon the
streets.
Early in the day the crowds began to
move toward the Coliseum, although
the c~hairman's gavel was not to fall
until noon. California led a parade
from the Auditorium to the convention
hall this morning, followed by Colorado,
Nevada. Washington, Idaho and Ha-
wall. Marching clubs, playing bands and
steadily increasing crowds made a gay
and picturesque scene as the day wore
or 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
equipped place of meeting could hard
~ be imagined. Twelve thousand seats
in serried ranks fill every available inch
of space save for sufficient asiles and
entrances, yet there is no appearance of
crowding. and none of that suggestion
of temporary make-shift unsafety that
so often marks the place of great con-
ventions. The aisles and platform were
carpeted with strong mating of plain
and tasteful colors. and the steps and
rails. dividing off the reservations for
delegates. a~lternates, press representa-
tives and spectators, give the impress
sion of permanence and safety.
Decorations of the Hall.
There IS lust decoration enough to
beautify, without interfering with am
pie light and ventilation. Broad n
of color. red. white and blue, veil the
front of the galleries, which wind
around the hall, Topped up at Intervals
with red r%osettes midway between the
steel girders which arch across the hall
supporting the roof. and above the gal
lery a similar strip Is draped upon
large, gilt, ~five-pointed stars.
At the ends of each arch are groups
of big flags. All either end of the hal
an immense eagle, with twelve feet
spread of wings, surmounts a OF
flags. "Old Glory dominates the
scene. There is ample light from win
dows and skylights, and should ses-
sions extend beyond the daylight great
clusters of arc lights assure ample IL
Elimination.
Today's program was to be es-
sentially preliminary, but when Chalr-
man New of the national Committed
dropped his gavel at midday 1t was to
initiate plans as nearly perfect as often
are ready at the outset OF a national
convention. The gavel used to open
the convention is of more thar passing
historic interest, being made from a
log preserved from old Fort Dearborn.
The inside of the cover of the pox con-
tanning the gavel is left in It's rough
hewn condition, showing the deep
broad-axe cuts. The mallet is about a
foot long, and around the head is a
silver band bearing the American nag
in colored enamel
A silver plate on the box cover bears
this legend:
Made of hand-hewn oak log from
a blockhouse of old Fort Dearborn, the
first outpost of civilization under the
/! United States Government in Chicago
or vicinity in the old Northwest, 1903.
Burned by the Indians and rebuilt 1916.
The log from which this gavel and box
are made is in the collection of the
Department Of Municipal History n
Museum, Chicago City Hall, June,
1903"
The manner in which the name of
President Roosevelt will be presented
90 the convention for denomination has
mot been disclosed, but that 1t VIII be
Is undisputed. just what VIII be the
outcome of the move is an unfaiiing
topic for conjecture, and the DOssibili-
lies of its injection at the right
are fully realized by all concerned. The
close friends of the President and Sec
rotary Taft, who are on the ground.
declare themselves prepared, however,
TO meet II in whatsoever form 1t arises,
with convincing proofs that MIR. ROOse-
welt himself views any such attempt
with ~disapprOvaI so emphatic as to leave
no room for doubt or tolerance.
Interest grows hourly in the vice.
presidency, n today was augmented
by the conflicting reports regarding
the preference of the President and
Secretary Taft on the subject, and the
effect on the political situation in Indi-
ana and Iowa of the possible nomina-
ton of Vice-Presldent Fairbanks and
Senator Dolllver respectively.
Much TaIx of Sherman.
The peculiar conditions in the New
York State delegation, a considerable
proportion of which is avowedly in
favor of the nomination of Representa-
tive James S. Sherman, of Utica, and
the sentiment especially among dele
gates from several of the New Eng
land States to the effect that the ticket
would gain strength from the nomina-
ton OF a New York State man has
complicated a situation which might
otherwise nave been far more simple.
The name of ex-Mayor Seth Low, of
New York, was mentioned in onnec-
ton with the nomination, and there is
still talk centering about that of Sec
rotary of the Treasury Cortelyou, but
the liveliest interest among the New
York delegates and others favoring the
selection of a New York man is in the