The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1912-04-13
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The selection Of Baltimore as the
place of meeting for the next Nation
al Democratic Convention recalls the
historic fact that prior to the Civil
War, more presidential candidates
were nominated there than in all
other American cities put together.
At that time Baltimores chief recon-
mendation was its proximity to
Washington, making it most convent
ent for Congressman who were gener-
ally made delegates and who were
at the Capitol then, for the nomina-
tons were generally made during the
long session of Congress.
Following the Civil War, with the
rapid spread of the people and with
the growing up of vigorous cities in
the West, Baltimore dropped out of
the running; indeed it was not until
last year that the people of the Monu-
mental City gave any thought to cap
turing the great political rally.
Once the suggestion was made, and
this at the Jackson Day banquet, the
desire was aroused and from that
moment until the national committee
made its selection the Baltimoreans
never wavered. Perhaps the most eff.
fective "persuader" the national con
vention committee received was a Ger
titled check for 100000, the money
having been raised by popular sub
scription.
Most of the cities in which the
Democratic conventions have beer
held have had to erect a great hall
but in this respect Baltimore is ex
ceedingly fortunate, having an arm
ory, the home of the Fifth Maryland
Regiment, which, with slight altera
tions and changes, will seat nearly
1900 persons and yet have ample
space for rooms for the various com
mitties, Associated Press, the tele
graph companies and others who
have business at the meeting.
The armory has been approved
by Chairman Mack and he has also
approved the plans for the arrange
ments of the floor space, the erect
ing of a huge platform and the max
ing of more exits. A squad of artl
sans, under the direction of the archi
tects, is now at work and the stuc
ture will be ready in ample time.
For the purpose no building coulC
be better located than the armory.
is in the heart of the residential sec
ton and yet is within a few minutes
walk of the Mount Royal station o
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad ant
the Union Station of the Pennsylya
mia Railroad Indeed the armory i
nearly in the center of the city, ant
within fifteen minutes ride from tn
Hotel where Chairman Mack and hi
general committee will have thei
headquarters. 1t is said that the acous
tics and ventilation of the big builC
ing make it almost ideal for the sun
mer gathering which will open Their
June 25 to select the Democrat
nominee for the twenty-eighth Pres
dent of the United States.
For those who go to the CONVEX
ton for strictly business purpose
and who will spend all of their tim
either at the convention hall or in tn
be pretty much like any other larg
city, and they will judge it by tn
natural conveniences of transports
ton by trolley and by the quality {
Service at the hostelries. To men {
this kind there will be no incentiv
to explore into the highways and by
ways of the city for scenes of quain
ness or the picturesque.
On the other hand there will b
thousands of visitors, men and won
en-, who will go to the city not onl,
to be at the convention during certail
hours, but to also see whatever ther,
is to be seen. For these there il
abundant opportunity, for in ant
about the city there is much Of inter
est.
Baltimore, although one of the old
est cities in the country, presents The
peculiar aspect of being ancient anC
modern; there are innumerable fea
lures that date back nearly 200