The Twin City star., 1912-06-15

ternates, several hundred newspaper
men, several hundred more distinguish
ed citizens, convention officials and
Mr.. Common People. with his numer
ous family.
Most Americans are now familiar
with the scene presented by the aver
age national convention either through
having attended at least one such gath.
ering In person or through pictures and
descriptions in the press. In their
main features these conventions are
all alike. There are variations, Of
course, due to particular causes, but
the scene presented to the eye. the
course of procedure. the speeches, the
balloting. the cheering, the decorations
and the other accessories that 60 to
make up these popular party assem-
blages make one national convention
as like another as two peas In pod.
Color, Perspiration and Enthusiasm.
The writer has attended eight ma.
tional conventions and has kept fairly
close track Of others for matter of
years. A general descrip
tion Of one will! answer for all They
are always swelteringly hot. Pack from
10000 to 10000 human beings In one
building in June or July and it could
not be otherwise. The three chief
features are color, perspiration and
enthusiasm. A great barnlike struc-
ture, with girders, pillars and every
other exposed projection festooned
with bunting and flags; seats arrang.
ed in a vast amphitheater, sloping up
from the pit In which sit the dele
gates; guidons on which are the names
Of the states on long poles attached to
delegates chairs along the aisles; be-
yond the circle Of delegates the chair
mans platform, banked with distin-
guished guests; up aloft in some little
cubbyhole Of balcony the band,
which keeps up an incessant playing
as the delegates and visitors stream
in; the audience divided off into sec.
tons by railings; perhaps there is a
gallery or two away back on the outer
fringes Of the great hall; everywhere
the national colors, in wreaths, rosettes
and garlands, flags Of all sizes and
suspended at all angles; gigantic .por.
traits of famous party leaders of the
past-that is the picture. "''-'
After going through the press Of the
crowds, passing the doorkeepers and
threading our way through long mazes
to our seats we take In all these de-
tails one by one or get their effect in
mass. The seats are now rapidly flll-
ing. Down in the pit there are a few
knots of delegates. Soon there is
salvo Of applause as some party leader
enters at the head of his delegation
This Is redoubled as another familiar
figure takes his place. Perhaps it Is a
senator, a well known governor or a
popular congressman. Maybe It Is
only state boss.
The hour arrives for opening the ses-
sion, but still there is no sign Of life at
the chairman's table. Perhaps he is
engaged in some important caucus or
conference. The delegates and specta-
tors continue arriving, and the band in
dustriously pounds away at ragtime,
marches and national airs. Now the
chairman suddenly appears at his
place. II it is the opening session he
is the chairman Of the national COM
mittee. His gavel whacks like dis
tant woodpecker. The hubbub and
buzz Of conversation gradually cease
The chairman announces prayer,
though we do not hear him, but arise
because everybody else does. Possibly
we catch some echo Of the minister's
voice, possibly not. If God doesn't
hear him any better than we do the
invocation is in vain. Anyway, It is
ended, and we are all again seated.
Then the secretary reads the call. No
body tries to hear this, and the buzz
Of conversation resumes. Now the
temporary organization is announced
and the temporary chairman introduc'
ed amid cheers. BE Is usually an ora.
tor with voice Of some carrying pow
er. Consequently we can follow him, at
least in spots, and join intelligently in
the applause that marks the periods
This Ia supposed to be a keynote
speech, profusely interlarded with
praise for our party and abuse Of the
other, and we cheer both indiscrimi
nately.
Coming to the Climax.
At the end Of the temporary chair
mans speech confusion reigns again.
The various delegations are now an
nouncing their members Of the COM
mittees on credentials, on platform and
on permanent organization. This does
not interest US, and we use our eyes
instead Of our ears. Likewise we use
our fan, If we are so fortunate as to
have one, otherwise our hat or news
paper folded fan shape. The later ses-
sions vary from the opening one, the
excitement gradually mounting. The
report of the credentials committee
brings a clash Of oratory and Of vot'
ing, the permanent chairman makes
another keynote speech, the platform
is literally cheered and adopted after
several speeches have been made for
and against 1t. and at last the boards
are cleared for action. The hour has
come for the nomination Of candi-
date for president of the United States.
In the Chicago convention the call to
order will be made by Victor Rosewa.
ter, acting chairman of the national
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