Year: 1864

The mammoth amphitheatre at the corner
of Michigan avenue and Park place, in
which the sessions of the forthcoming Ma
tional Democratic Convention are to be
held, is at present receiving the last finish
ing touches at the hands of the carpenters.
In a couple of days it will be passed over to
the decorators, who will display their taste
by festooning it with hundreds of flags,
banners and streamers. The building, which
is constructed entirely of wood, Is of gil
gantic proportions. 1t measures in circum-
ference G2S feet, and has accommodations
for an audience of over $4,000 persons. The
roof in the centre is thirty feet from the
ground, and slopes gradually until it is only
twenty-eight feet in height. At this point
it is broken for the purpose of ventilation.
The remaining portion of the roof COM
mences at a point four feet below, and slopes
gently to the outer edge of the building
The entire structure is covered with patent
felt roofing, capable of withstanding the
heaviest rain storms.


The grand entrance to the building is on
Michigan avenue, and is through spacious
passageway, fifteen feet wide. This leads
directly to the central platform on which
the officers of the Convention, delegates
and members of the press will be seated
Running all round this platform is neat
railing, inside of which is narrow pathway
by which delegates can leave the building
without having TO press through the assem-
blage on the platform. Close to this foot
way will be the desks for the use of the
members of the press, who will be largely
represented. The number of chairs on the
platform will be six hundred.


On the south side of the mammoth am
phitheatre, surrounding and overlooking
the central platform, is the large gallery for
the use of ladies, and gentlemen accOmpa-
MED by ladies. 1t has been fitted up with
comfortable seats stretching along the en-
tire half Of the structure. These seats are
placed on an inclined plane, so that every
one will have most excellent opportunity
of seeing and hearing whatever is going on
at all times. The north side is set apart as
standing places for the male portion of the
vast assemblage that is sure to be present
The entrance to these galleries is by three
passageways, each four feet in width. The
columns which support the roof will be
tastefully decorated with national flags,
while the entire walls will be festooned with
flags, banners and national colors.


Externally there is not much to attract
the eye, but the immense proportions OF
the building challenge the attention of all
On the top of the roof are several flag staffs
from which the national flag will proudly
n0at during the sessions OF the Convention


The committee of Arrangements deserve
the utmost credit for the admirable manner
in which they have discharged the import
ant duty intrusted to them. The greatest
attention has been given to the carrying out
of every detail in the construction of the
building. The system of ventilation is per.
feet and the vast structure is well Lighted
throughout.


The site of the building is very conven'
lent, and the delegates and others may res
satisfied that there will be every accommo-
dation provided for their conveyance to anG
from the Convention, 1t is within short
distance of several of the principal lines Of
railway, and only couple of blocks from
the State street cars. Arrangements are
also being made to run large number o.
vehicles between the Court House and the
amphitheatre during the sittings OF the Con.
vention. r.