Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1916-06-15
NATIONAL CONVENTION WEEK
A BIG GLORIOUS SPECTACLE

The greatest spectacle III loul
years is a national political conven-
ton. No other gathering brings to-
gether so many persons of state or
national importance; no other has
so potential an effect on the ma
tion's history. The making of pos
sible president is far reaching
matter. In Chicago last week was
double spectacle. The Republicans
occupied the Coliseum seating IA
600 and the Progressives the Aud
itorium theatre seating 5000 The
sessions ran through the same days
and the interest was intense over
the possibilities of getting together.
It was Just like Kansas that the
delegations in each had good seats.
In the Republican the Kansas dele
CATION was second from the front
Just back OF Ohio, and in the other
second from the front also. TWO
things were evident at the opening
L0dL inc. htpubllOduo Wputu hNAA
nate Hughes and that the Progress
siyes would nominate Roosevelt
beyond that was doubt. The Audi
torium crowd was the most excit-
able. 1t was equipped with flags
and waved them and cheered every
other minute. 1t was electric with
nervousness, and the galleries help
ed along by making as much dis
turbance as was allowed. Down at
the Coliseum the galleries also took
a hand but the sessions were more
deliberate. 1t was a serious conven-
ton, there for business and that 1t
was considered important was
evident from the demand for adj
mission. Three or four thousand
persons stood in the rain for hours
hoping they could get in. Aisles
were full, every seat taken-16,000
were in the building. And when that
crowd cheered the band simply went
through motions; 1t could not be
heard.
A man may be a great parsonage
at home but fall down when he
gets before a national convention.
On Friday the nominating speeches
began at 1915 and lasted until
1880 p. M, Of course counting out
time for applause. Only two or
three men really held the crowd.
Gov. Willis, big breezy, boyish man
with youthful ways and a voice that
filled the great hall was one; Ex-
Congressman Kendall of Iowa was
another His speech was the ora
torical gem of the day and he
brought back some of the lost art
of platform eloquence. Then there
was a little chin whiskered farmer
from Nevada who after everybody
had emitted long-winded speeches
dragging in every event of history
from the fall Of Adam to the last
communication from Funston and
sending up oratorical rockets until
the delegates we're weary, said sim
ply: ION behalf of the delegation
from Nevada | second the nomina-
tion of Mr. Fairbanks" and sat
down. He received one of the ova
lions of the day. All "the man who
speeches we're too long and the del
egates were not over polite when
time was exhausted-they wanted
to vote. Only one speaker named
his man until the last sentence, all
the rest ran true to form.
Roosevelt had the galleries, eve
want Teddy" was yelled in soprano.
tenor and base. When his name was
presented rather ineffectiyely b.
Senator Fall the demonstration last
ed Al minutes. 1t could have been
kept up two hours. SO could any
utmOuSlIdlluH. AlleI Nut HIST pulSt
of applause the maintenance of
demonstration is artificial A group
of men or women stand on chairs
with flags and when the applause
dies down yell and howl. In a SUI
percharged atmosphere it Will keep
up the noise. Sherman could have
had two hours if the chairman would
have stood for IT, so could Burton
or Cummins or any of the rest.
Three leading ladies helped Teddy.
One was gray haired matron who
stood on the press tables and waved
two flags; one was a handsome
young woman with a picture hat
who tried to get all the attention
for herself and the other was
middle aged woman in the front
gallery who had a voice that came