Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-06-17
Observation-Disclosures
Brilliant Scene Cca0s Coliseum Where
Banner Paade Amid Great Enthusiasm Mention se Name Chairman Causes Great Ovation
Convention AjouI After Naming Committees Allies Push 10 Contests Before Committee

Chicago, June 16.Amid scenes Of
stirring enthusiasm, the Republican
national convention of 1908 began
it's deliberations at noon today in
the presence Of an assemblage esti-
mated at upward of fourteen thou
sand people. With the sounds Of
patriotic airs, alternating with fren-
zied shouts for Roosevelt, Taft and
other popular heroes, the first tOcsin
of the coming struggle from the grace
full orator of Michigan, Senator Julius
Caesar Burrows, were the initial for
malities which started this moMentous
gathering into motion.
Lasted Two Hours.
The opening session lasted less
than two hours, and was less notable
for business accomplished than for
the opportunity it afforded OF seeing
again this striking picture Of 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 vari-
GUS important committees, ON creden-
tials, platform, organization, etc, are
preparing for the important business
to come. ss
Flocking to Coliseum.
Early in the day all roads in Chi
cago turned toward the huge stone
pile known as the Coliseum, with its
back toward Lake Michigan and front
ing a rather shabby 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
favorites, the Ohio delegation with
a huge blue silk standard bearing
the portrait OF Secretary Taft. At
front and end the great building was
Ibesieged by steady streams of hu,
mainly, until at noon almost every
seat in the structure was occupied
and great crowds stood outside to
catch the echoes from within.
Scene OF Animation.
| The scene when the vast assem-
1!blage was called to order was one OF
impressive dignity, OF animation and
Of color. In the center arena sat the
delegates, almost q thousand strong
and back OF them their alternates
another thousand In number, with
standards OF the states rising here
and there above the turbulent sea Of
Iheads.
The points OF vantage Immediately
in front were held by Ohio, New
York, Pennsylvania, Indiana and wis
consin, each having candidate
while further back, rank after rank
4 were ranged the other states and ter
dritories, Hawaii, Porto Rico, fhe
Philippines and Alaska, forming The
outlying fringe Of the official delega
fiOn.
Thousands Of Spectators.
4 Around this central mass of dele
gates and alternates swept long line,
! Of spectators, in rising tiers and II
4 solid masses, men and women, tn,
latter in gay-hued summer gown:
and with fiuttering fans and wavini
handkerchiefs Higher up anothel
gallery made the entire circuit Of tn.
vast enclosure, and above this ever
moving Kaleidoscope scene bent tn,
| huge semi-circular roof, its steel cir
ders looped with bunting and ablazt
7. with electric devices, while on eithe,
side the national colors we're wovel
into sunbursts. shields and patriot,
4 symbols.
In front Of the delegations stretch
i ed mammoth platform, 200 fee
square, and accommodating 1900 dis
tinguished guests, including ambas
sailors and ministers from foreigl
states, besides the officers of the
convention and members Of the ma
tional committee.
Hughes Leaders.
i The moments before the gayel fel
Igave opportunity to inspect the per
sennel Of the delegates and leaders
i Grouped In front of the New Yorl
| delegation were Seth Low and Gen
eral Stewart r. Woodford, unyieldinl
supporters Of Hughes; and further
back, Senator Chauncey NJ Depew
Ex-Governor odell, soreno p. Payne
! chairman Of the ways and means