The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-14
Thousands Are Pouring In to
 See Great Spectacle
FAMOUS MEN ASSEMBLED
Politicians of National Reputation, Marching Clubs, Hangers-On and Visitors of Every Description
 Form Immense Throng.

Chicago, June 13.-The tramp of conven- tion hosts is now faily under way and tonight Chicago Is beginning to throb with the confusion and excitement of ar irving throngs, some with banners and hands, and gaily uniformed marchers others made up of state delegations with their conspicuous leaders and their cohorts of strong lunged followers and shouters, others with the friends and ad- mirers of the various presidential candidates and still others of the curious onlookers drawn from every section of the country, including many of the represent atives of foreign governments, who have come to witness this national spectacle.
 All day special and regular trains have emptied thousands of strangers into this political mecca The effect of this influx is seen tonight in the surging street crowds, the growing animation of the choked and smoky hotel Hobbies, the strains ot music and the swell of oratory from some of the headquarters of candi- dates, and the bounteous hospitality which these headquarters are beginning to dis pense.
 Scene Is Tranquil.
 And yet, this foregathering of the Chi cago convention of 1908 has already estab- lished a record for unusual calm and tranquility, for measured by the din and turmoil, the scenes of delirious ex- citement and the spirit of die-in-the-last- ditch, which has marked some historic gatherings of the past this invading army of delegates and spectators is q most stai1 and unconditional body But is none the less an army with new columns to the front hourly and with the prospect of plenty of hurrah and fireworks ahead to animate the leaders and stir the blood of the onlookers. drizzling rain tonight after a hot muggy day, tended to re- strain the outbrusts of enthusiasm, but there is promise of good convention weather ahead.
 Centers of Interest.
 The centers of interest today have been the arriving delegations, with many of the leaders of conspicuous national prominence and the headquarters of the various presi- oential candidates Among the notable convention figures to arrive were Doa Cameron, former United States senator from Pennsylvania, who has not attended a national convention since the conven- ton of 1SSO when he stood with Roscoe Conkling and John A. Logan as the lead. CTS of the third term movement in the in- terest of General Grant; Henry Taft brother of the Secretary of War; Senator Depew, who eight years ago electrified the Philadelphia convention, with his speech seeonding the nomination of Roose- welt for vice presid ent Representative Serene Payne of New York, chairman of the ways and means committee of the House of Representatives, who bears on his ample shoulders a good deal of the burden of future tariff revision; United States Senator Long of Kansas, who is reputed to have the Deliver vice presl- dent boom in cold storage: James $. Sher- man and Timothy l.. Woodruff of New York, both receptive vice presidential possibilities.
 Late Arrivals.
 The rank and file of the state delega- lions are rather late in arriving and ranizing as compared with previous con- ventions But most of the states have their advance guard here. New York's delegation arrived by special train at noon considerable part of the Penn- sylvania delegation was added to the crowd already here and other state con- tingents struggled in during the after noon and evening. The American club of Pttsburg, Knox organization, with handsome uniforms with gay-colored umbrellas, marched through the streets and gave a foretaste of the scenes D come. The Taft headquarters is divided Tetween three of the large hotels, but the storm center of Taft activity Is at the Auditorium Annex. Here series cf parlors have been made gorgeous with banners and bunting and electric lights, while the genial face oi the Secretary cf War smiles down from every wall, as yet, however, the Taft headquarters have not been formally. opened to the public and the Taft movement has it's chief impulsion in the quiet counsels in dn upper chamber of the hotel. where Arthur I. Vorys. eX-Gov. Myron T. Her. r.ck and Charles P. Taft of Cincinnati. s.nother brother of the secretary, hold their deliberations.
 The Hughes headquarters took on an added briiancy at the Auditorium after tre New York delegation arrived today, for whatever their principal sentiment may be toward the governor, they are standing by the instructions of the state convention, for him. Accordingly huge portrait of the governor was mounted aloft in the hotel lobby, topped by sunburst of red, white and blue, with Hughes in electric letters two feet high j,lst below
 Cannon Men Envious.
 The Cannon men were somewhat en- vious of these two-feet letters, and to- night "Joe Cannon" is blazing forth from ,.t.e front Of the Auditorium in letters ten feet high. The Cannon headquac- .ers present a picture of genuine con Vention enthusiasm tonight as the doors nave been thrown open for the formal reception of the public. the music of brass band and patriotic glee club echoes through the corridors, orators arc
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