The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-07-07
TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN BELL MAKES
MOST STIRRING KEYNOTE SPEECH
In Brilliant Address Californian Flags the Republican Party and
Points the Way to Democratic WCory.Great Enthusiasm
at Opening Session of Convention.

u
THE AUDITORIUM, Denver, July Z.
The democracy of the east and west
today joined hands within the shadow
of the w-cIad Rockies to name can
ddates for president and vice presi-
dent. and to formulate set of policies
upon which to appeal to the voters Of
the nation.
For the first time in it's history, the
rarity had recognized the claims of the
TAR west in the selection of a meeting
t'ace. Denver, justly proud of the hon.
or conferred upon her, had provided
a brand new auditorium, the best
equipped Of its kind in America. The
building cost the taxpayers of the city
$500, 900. In addition, they subscribed
to a fund of 100000 for the entertain
ment of the delegates, and other visi-
tors. who have been pouring into town
by the thousands in the past three
days.
Streets Jamnned.
Long before noon, the hour set for
the initial session of the twenty sec
ton. the streets in the vicinity of the
biz gold dOmed building were jammed
,yith people waiting for the doors to
be thrown open. Trim, carefully
.grGomed easterners. clad in long coats
lug" hats and derbies knocked ell
lows with less punctiliously dressed
representatives of the mountain and
l.
cWs" of the Denver women and the
derry Cowboys of the western dele
safes lent picturesqueness to the
scene.
IN order to prevent confusion about
the entrances. the police had roped OH
all of the thoroughfares leading to the
structure Signs over the doOrways in
Gcated the direction which each holder
Of the much-prized cards of admission
should take. Mayor Speer had as
sumed personal charge of the handling
Of the crowds outside, and a small
army of policemen was detailed to pre-
serve order, their work making the
task of the ticket takers comparative
y easy.
During the assembling and seating
OF the delegates and spectators the Ia
nous cowboy band" of Pueblo and Al
amosa, perched up next the roof in the
rear Of the hall. rendered a mixed pro-
gram of patriotic, classical and rag
time" airs.
Elaborate Decorations.
As the audience edged its way into
the building it was greeted with d
Kaleidoscope panorama of color. The
decorations were probably the most
elaborate as well as the most artistic
ever attempted for q similar junction
Up above the stage of the chairman
dropped from a steel rafter, was
magnificent oil painting Of George
Washington. framed in gilt and meas
urinq eight by ten feet. Draped pehiiiu
il were, two huge American flags, Wfllle
festoontd about it were yards upon
Yards of tri-colored bunting. TO the
right was similarly draped picture VI
Andrew Jackson, and to the left one vi
Thomas Jefferson on the opposite wall
was portrait of the last democratic
president of the United States, Gro
Yer cleveland. bordered with black III
mute evidence of the prevailing 1oeilhg
Of sorrow. both party and NATIONAL
over his recent death.
Back Of the platform upon Whlch
--t ere seated the members of the natloh-
4 committee was a row of California
lai MS. Twenty stuffed American eagles
carrying in their beaks long streamers
ot re1 white and blue were suspendeo
from the ceiling Immediately over the
stage. Around the front of the balconies
and galleries were strung $4,000 yaroS
OF bunting While at intervals OF ten
leet had been placed American shlelus.
Studdipg the ceiling were tri-colored
stars tel feet in diameter, representing
the various states territories and IN
suiar possessions. In the corners anu
ABOUT the sides of the main floor were
moro palms
The total number Of seats was 12,OOO.
me space. Immediately in front and at
me sides of the platform had been
cqulpped for the use of the 400 news
E'per correspondents who have come
" tell the world all about it. AS in the
recent republican convention at Chlca-
80 the press associations were permit
U 20 install in their reservations tel
eieph operators with soundless keys
'he bulletining of important feat
u the proceedings. Down below