The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-06-08

Chauncey M. Depew seated among
the New York delegates before the
convention opened held an impromptu
reception. Delegates from every
state came across chairs and down
aisles to shake hands with the veter.
an. Depew was clad in black frock
coat and black hat. The front of his
coat was literally despatched with
| his hand in response to the applause
that came from the galleries when
his presence was discovered.
! The confusion on the floor ap-
peared to be increasing at His.
| The space Immediately in front of
| the platform was jammed. Many stood
on chairs. Some delegations came
| equipped with bundles of small flags,
all set for demonstrations.
| The New Jersey, Virginia ard
| Utah delegations furnished a bit of
amusement for the spectators when
F., side of the New Jersey standard was
Jersey" while the other side. in big
ginia standard was similarly mixed
up. The result was that portions of
all three delegations found them
selves sitting with their conferees
from the other states and all of them
were able to prove they were in the
| right chairs.
A cornet soloist standing in front
in the high balcony got the first
real applause of the day when he
! shri1led selection that pierced the
ear drums of everybody in the vast
building.
! Indications we're that some real
demonstrations" were in prospect.
1 AS the delegations were seated it
was noted that every delegate car.
ried a small American flag, and
I many. of them state insignia in addi-
ton. 49,
The band broke into "The Red,
White and Blue and the big crowd
which now practically filled the en-.
tire building, came to it's feet wavin g
flags and cheering. The band con-
tinued with medley Of patriotic
airs. each causing new outburst of
applause.
Dixie got its usual warm well
come, southern delegates waving
their hats, and one shrill rebel yell
pierced the air.
yankee Doodle" brought a salvo
of cheers and hand clapping, espe-
cially from the New England sec
ton. a
By 11:s2 the delegation were nearly
all in their places, but hundreds were
standing up or visiting back and forth.
The New York delegations stand
ard was capped with two American
flags, delegate climbing upon chairs
Ito place them.
All Delegates in Seats.
By 11:2S o'clock every seat in the
building with the exception of few
in the gallery above the speakers
stand was flied, and all the delegates
seemed to be in their places.
Chairman Hays, however, had not
appeared on the platform, although
an assistant had arrived with a black
gavel, the handle of which was fully
foot and half long.
Chairman Will Hays arrived on the
platform and took his seat at 1880.
Attendants removed a great bunch
of American beauty roses from the
table. Hays waved both hands and
smiled when the galleries and floors
shouted a welcome. Hays held a
whispered conversation with National
Committeeman Charles B. Warren. of
Michigan. -o -" ~
Col. Theo. Roosevelt joinedthsscon-
sultation. a
National Committeeman Keans. of
New Jersey, next occupied the seat
for a few moments 's1'~
At 11:3S- o'clock everyone was in
his place on the platform and the
stage was set. -s
Chairman Hays was called to the
front of the rostrum to receive as
gift from the Pennsylvania delegation
gaveI, made Of wood taken from In
dependence Hall. He smiled his
thanks.
The hum of conversation and laugh
ter from floors and galleries was as
cending and ever growing louder
Hays pounded for order and got it
to the front of the rostrum and an
nounced Bishop Charles e. Woodcock,
of Louisville would deliver the open
ing prayer. The great crowd stood
during the invocation.a
During the prayer, there was abso-
lutte silence. The huge crowd was
quiet and orderly within minute af-
ter. Hays first swung his gavel
Before the crowd could regain seats
after the prayer, the band broke into
the "Star Spangied Banner" The
thousands of standing bareheaded
Americans joined in the stirring
words, the chorus swelling and rever-
berating against the roof in a man,
ner that apparently proved TO every
ones satisfaction that Americans real
ly know their national anthem and
know how to sing 1t.
A cheer leader, mounting the ros-
trum, then led the audience in three |