The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-06-19
CONVENTION
ASSEMBLIES
GATHERING or REPUBLICANS
FROM ALL PARTS OF coUN.
TRY CALLED TO ORDER.
BURROWS SPEAKS

Opening Session Lasts Less Than TIVE
Hours-Little Accomplished Beyone
.organization-scene In Coliseum
One Of Impressive Dignity-De Demon
STATIONS for Presidential Favorites
Chicago, June 16.--Amid scene OF
stirring enthusiasm the. republican
national convention Of 1908 began its
deliberations at o % today in the
presence of an assemblage estimated
at upwards OF $4,000 people, with the
sounds Of patriotic airs alternating
with the frenzied shouts for Roosevelt,
Taft and other popular heroes the
first tocsin Of the coming struggle
from the graceful orator from Michi-
gan, Senator julius Caesar Burrows
and the initial formalities which start
edSthis momentous gathering into mo
ton.
The opening session lasted less
than two hours and was less notable
for the business accomplished than
for the opportunity it afforded Of see
ing again this stirring picture of the
people assembled from every corner of
the country to select a. candidate for
president Of the United States. The
actual work Of the day was quickly
accomplished, and tonight the various
important committees on credentials,
platform, organization, etc, are pre-
pairing for the more important bust
ness to come.
Crowds Sought Auditorium.
Early in the day -all roads in Chi
cago turned towards the huge stone
pile known as the Coliseum, with its
beak towards Lake Michigan and its
gothic turrets fronting a rather shah
by section of the city. Here centered
the convention throngs-state delega-
lions, singly and in groups, some with
marching clubs and bands and ban
ners for their favorites, the Ohio del
egation with a huge blue silk stand
ard bearing the portrait of Secretary
Taft. At front and rear the great
building was designed by great crowds
OF humanity until noon almost every
seat in the structure was occupied
and great crowds stood outside to
watch the echoes from within.
Scene In the Coliseum,
The scene when the large assem-
blage was called to order was d Of
impressive dignity, Of animation and
Of color. In the central arena sat
the delegates, almost one thousand
strong, and back Of them their alter
mates, another thousand In number.
with the standards Of the states ris-
ing here and there above the turbulent
sea Of heads The points Of vantage,
Immediately in front were held by
Ohio. New York, Pennsylvania, In
diana and Wisconsin, each having a
candidate, while further back were ar
ranged the other states and other ter
ritories. Hawaii, Porto Rico, the Phil
ippines and Alaska appropriately
forming the outlying fringe of the Of
fetal delegation.
Around this central mass of dele
gates and a~lternates swept the long
mes OF spectators, in rising tiers and
in solid masses, men and nj the
latter In gay summer gowns and with
futtering fans and waving handker.
chiefs. Higher up another gallery
made the entire circuit Of the vast en-.
closure. Above this ever moving,
Kaleidoscope scene, bent the huge
semi-circular roof, It's steel Orders
looped with bunting and a blaze with
electric devices, while on every side
the national colors were woven into
sunbursts, shields, and patriotic sym.
ibols.
In front OF the delegates stretched
the mammoth platform, 200 feet
square and accommodating 1900 dis
guests. including ambassa.
doris and ministers from foreign
states, besides the officers of the CON
yention and members Of the national
committee.
Noted Statesmen There.
The moments before the gavel fell
the opportunity to inspect the
personnel Of delegates and leaders.
Grouped In front OF the New York
delegation were Seth Low and Gen.
eral Stewart Z, Woodford; the sup
porters OF Hughes and further back
Senator Chauncey NJ. Depew, ex-Gov
ernor Odell, Serene e. Payne, chair
Of the ways and means commit.
tee; e~x-Lieutenant Governor Timothy
=. Woodruff. Fanking them e the
Knox forces. Governor Stuart of Penn
sylvania IA front with Senator Pen.
rose. Representatives John Dalzell
and Burke OF Pittsburg, the personal
representative Of Mr.. Knox. In the
van Of the Ohio contingent sat Gov.
error Harris beside j. Warren Keifer
and Wade ellis. the latter the drafts
nan Z of the new platform; Represent