The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-06-08
Thermometers Flirt With Real Dixie
Weather; Bands Play "Marching Through
Georgia.; Leaderless Hordes Flock Into
Coliseum; Old Guard Awaits Opportune
Moment to Crack the Whip and Name Man
Destined to Lead Republican Phalanx


than the blanket of constant rainfall
which covered the city during tho
convention four years ago.
While the last minute arrangements
were being made, no change in the
lineup was discernible and the va.
rious managers frankly admitted they
saw no tangible evidences OF which
way the wind Is going to blow.
They were still looking for the first
ballots which will come during the
middle OF the week to develop or point
the way to courses Of action.
The convention actually opens It's
time.
The galleries were filled early with
the fortunate hundreds who managed
70 get in, to the disappointment OF the
unlucky thousands, who lost out on
the tickets. The opening moments
were spent in informal conferences
among the delegates on the floor and
renewals Of the old acquaintance.
Generally the condition in the hall
was remarkably quiet. Nobody SEEM
cd to have any more definite idea OF
how things were going to line up
than they did last week
The only decoration on the plat.
form was big vase of American
beauty roses.
Up to the moment temporary Chair
man Lodge left his hotel for the
| Coliseum, there had been no final
determination on the question Of per.
manent organization and il was said
that the chances were good Of making
the temporary organization permanent,
thus avoiding two keynote speeches.
Moreover 1t could dispose Of the
danger of engendering ill-feeling By a
contest such as has been going on
by supporters of Senator Beveridge,
of Indiana, and Senator Medill Nc.
Cormick. Of Illinois. Advocates OF
two different organizations continued
to wage their fight, however, National
Committeeman Hays was understood
to favor Senator Mccormick.
The gathering audience began 10
show the first sign of animation when
the band struck up '"The Stars and
Stripes Forever" whistlers in some
parts Of the visitors galleries accom-
panied the band. The first applause
that swept the Aall came at tia con.
clusion Of this national selection.
From the Stars and Stripes, the
band swung into Dardanella, and
there was abrupt response with a
shutting Of feet and q suggestion OF
"shimmy" from some Of the negro
delegates from Tennessee.
This popular music by the big band
bids fair to disrupt the whole thing.
The ebony-hued delegates from the
south are unable to keep their feet
on the floor while under its spell.
Twenty minutes before the hour set
for the opening, the crowd was still
streaming IN. It was not till then
the electric lights we're turned on.
throwing into relief the thousands
of American flags that comprised
the only decorations. The floor was
about half full at that time.
} Lieut.. Col. Theodore Roosevelt was
among the early platform arrivals.
At IL o'clock, the hour set for the
: opening, the band was playing THE
Sunshine Of Your Smiles" but very
few people were smiling. There was
J no movement to call the convention
to order and begin the business.
The .isles were crowded with dele
} gates who seemed more intent on
shaking hands and chatting than for
beginning the convention.
When Senator Lodge reached the
hall he took a seat IN the Massach-
setts delegation spacs, where ne
found Speaker Gillett talking with
friends and they had brief confer.
ence. Fred Upham, the national
l treasurer, joined the conference and
, the three men had their heads to-
gether for several minutes.
The republican national convention
! was actually called to order at 11.34
a. m, soon after. Chairman Hays ap-
, Peared on the platform and was
: greeted with rounds of applause and
: shouts.
Chairman Hays brought down the
gavel with a whack and the conyen.
] ton came quickly to order.
5 Bishop Charles E, Woodcoch, OF
} Louisville, KY, offered the opening
/ prayer.
l The prayer was a long one, and
a a. 40 NNAiSiAoAph NhV ibuithNG OtOk@S
: into the Star Spangled Banner" at
. the request of song leader.
e The swelling chorus filled the great
n hall and sea OF American flags
t were waved throughout the singing,
Y Now" shouted the leader, "thrce
e cheers for the greatest country on
( earth, the United States Of Ameri
n ca" Three rolling cheers echoed
}. through the big hall. The official
photograph of the convention was
d then taken. The photographer perch
!. ed In the end of the hall farthcst
t distant from the platform asked all
j. the delegates to turn that way. There
was flash and a bang and that
t was over.
/. Secretary Miller Of the nationa
}. committee, then read the call for the
a convention.
n The convention was not very much
Q interested in the reading Of the CALL
=. most OF the delegates knowing Its
= terms. They embraced the opportu.
nifty for conferences and conversation
and steady hum pcrvaded the hall
during the reading. Chairman Hays
whacked for order so hard he jolted
/ over n glass OF water on the secre