The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-06-14
DEMOCRATIC national Convention
IS LIKE SUNDAY SCHOOL PICNIC
called summery. hut the hall itself
was very comfortable.
II was nearly II o'cIncE hefore

was very comfortable.
1t was nearly II o'clock before
workmen put the finishing touches on
the decorations and erected the last
iron standard marking off the state
delegations on the floor of the hall.
Incidentally it was remarked that
a tremendous excess of zeal and en-
thusiasm be necessary if there was
any parade Of standards this year
since the same standards were ten
feet tall, of two inch iron pipe and
securely screwed to the floor with
five 3-inch bolts.
Three hundred and fifty of St.
Louis finest" kept the crowd in
check within and without the hall,
while 100 firemen were detailed to
prevent smoking and watch out for
any incipient blazes. The whole
block around the Coliseum was roped
off and splendid order maintained
as the thousands gathered for the
sessions.
. At II o'clock, when workmen were
still tachng up decorations. and
looking to see that things were ship
shape. the spectators and delegates
began arriving. At each entrance,
boy scouts handed every ticket hold
CT d lilly fAACl1Sah AisS6, "AAAAS VA
every seat was a slip with the verses
CT the 'sStar Spangled Banner"
printed thereon.
The crowd was slow in struggling
in, due to the multiplicity of attrac-
tions without-the suffragettes garb-
ed in snowy white and yellow gold
dresses; bands that gave Impromptu
concerts and interest in the arrival
of the celebrities. Hawaiian dele
gates attracted the most enthusiastic
crowds by their singing Of native
melodies-"A1oha" being the favorite.
Their songs, sung through mega
phones, penetrated into the hall IT.
self. Carpeting Of the aisles with
green grass strips reduced the shut
flinS OF the feet Of arriving crowds
to a minimum.
Colonel John /. Martin, who has
been sergeant at arms OF all demo
cratic conventions in the last twenty
four years, was early on the job. 1t
was an old story to him, but he was
Just as enthusiastic and as energetic
about things as if he had been the
youngest Of new comers.
Roger Sullivan was the first of the
notaibles to arrive. He felt so lone
some, climbed upon the platform
reserved for national committeeman,
he finally climbed down on the floor,
swapping stories with delegates.
Called to Order.
1t was exactly 1890 when Chair
man A.cCombs stood at the front and
waited moment before banging his
gavel. At the same moment Secre-
tary of War Baker slipped into his
seat with the Ohio delegation.
Order" was restored at once.
America" was sung, the entire
audience rising while those on the
platform waved their flags in unison.
The Star Spangled Banner came
next The audience sang at the last
named song and then mos: of them
gave it up. 1t was plain the crowd
sticking to the newly vanished seats
was anxious to go ahead. Only a
brief yell greeted the conclusion Of
the song service.
Rev James Lee, of the M. O. church
south of ST. Louis then invoked di-
vine blessing, beseechinf- Almighty
guidance.
Help us to recognize our govern
ment as a means ordained Of heaven
he rrayed, that we may increase as
a people and as a power.
Most of all We thank Thee for the
conservatism Of the president Of the