New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-06

From a staH Correspondent Of The Tribune
Syracuse, Sept 5-There was notable
absence ~ enthusiasm a. the opening ses-
sion ~ the first state convention OF the
National Progressive party to-day. This
was the more marked because OF the con-
trast with the national convention at Chi
oago which had been attended b. many or
those here Even that fervOr which ant
mates so many OF the workers did not
seem 10 exist in the convention as whole.
II was puzzling 10 the leaders, and they
sought 10 explain IL on the ground that
there was no general interest IN the de-
tails Of organization. II may have been
due 10 the weather. which was muggy and
oppressive.
The delegates were not even aroused 70
any great degree BIZ the keynote speech
Of ex-senator r NJ Davenport. The
speech had several snsppy phrases, bot
the degree % the apathy against which he
worked may be indicated By the fact that
when he mentioned the name ~ Colonel
Roosevelt the applause lasted only scant
twenty-five seconds
Lack OF interest on the part Of the pub
lie was shown by the array Of empty seats
on the stage and at the back OF the hall.
The arena seats $500. exclusive OF the
stage There were 1000 delegates and
alternates seated in front OF the stage
after the manner Of ordinary political con-
vrntions. OF the soc seats behind them
not more than 800 were occupied. There
we're a scant 100 spectators on the stage
which had chairs for about 800 persons
The delegates made a spectacle OF color
as men and women marched down Salina
and Warren streets 10 the convention hall
The marchers made use Of the bandanna
in evervy possible decorative way. Among
the marchers we're General Horatio c.
King. Of Brooklyn, almost eighty years
old and Mrs King
Two Dismal Portraits.
II may have been that two dismal at
tenpts at reproducing the features OF
Colonel Roosevelt and Governor Johnson
one over the entrance TO the arena and
one back Of the stage insiIe-hsd some
thing TO DO with depressing the delegates
one Of the delegates, shocked at the pict-
ure Of Roosevelt, which made him look
like a fussv old person. with curly white
hair and uustache. tried 10 hide his true
feelings by inquiring johdngly Of his COM
panion "Do you love that old man.
The artist" had given a crop OF white
hair TO Johnson. too
About the only thing that resembled
Roosevelt about what was supposed 10 be
a picture OF him al the back OF the
stage. was the pose Of the head and the
droop OF the eyegass cord The accom-
panying portrait. which the delegates
surnised was meant for Johnson. looked
az II the painter might have started
picture OF Vice-President Sherman and
been ordered 10 change IL TO Johnson
after IL was half done.
Two bands In the hall did their pest 10
arouse some enthusiasm They played
Onward. Christian Soldier while a man
with a big megaphone led the delegates
in singing.
Charles J. Staples. who used TO be
cheer leader in Amherst College back In
1886. tried TO get the delegates worked UP
By teaching them a cheer. ne worked
himself into dripping persplrstion. but
finally gave up the effort.
man with a red neckiie and a sad
face stood on the stage at frequent In
teryals and emitted a doleful noise
through a megaphone II was stated
authoritatively that he was Initiating the
cry OF the bull moose.
Something like genuine enthusiasm was