It was a real live day. The hotels were crowded; there were bands and noise and parades and mineral water. What else is needed for a holiday? Before the hour for assembling the convention I went to the state committee headquarters and presented my traveling card. The gentleman in charge took it and said, "Did you come all the way from Seattle to attend the convention?" I replied by innocently asking what else was going on there that day, and he handed me a press ticket, saying, "You are certainly entitled to a seat." So it happened that from the press gallery I saw the opening of the convention which nominated Frank Black for governor of New York. I was fortunate in having for a seat companion one of the New York assemblymen whose seat had been contested in the convention and who had been provided with a press ticket by one of his friends. Not having any writing to do he gave me much information in regard to the complexion of the convention, and pointed out many persons who are leaders in New York politics. One of his remarks may interest you. He said, "The large number of candidates before the convention is because this state is so surely Republican this fall. The enthusiasm here over McKinley will carry through any state ticket and a nomination is as good as an election."
After temporary organization the convention took a recess, and I was out in time to spend two hours at the races where Cooper Zeigler and other professional riders were competing. I was having my circus after all.
At 4 p.m. I took the train back to Schenectady and at 5 o'clock was again in the saddle headed for Albany. As I passed the fine large state house at the latter place I noticed a large crowd in front of the city hall and on inquiring the cause was informed that Bryan was to speak there in a few minutes. I waited long enough to see the Boy Orator and then went to supper. While at the table a fire on the opposite corner of the street called the usual crowd and that meant more circus and finally as I trundled my wheel out of the hotel, down Broadway came a throng escorting Bryan to the depot. There were rockets and red fire of course and some thought that it meant the engagement of Bryan and Hill but from the morning papers we learned that the results of Bryan's wooing was still in doubt.
The moon arose before I finally left the city but the roads were good and I preferred after my circus holiday to sleep amidst rural silence which I found at a little tavern at Nassau, ten miles from Albany. Speaking of taverns reminds me that here in the East I have spent some of my pleasantest nights and enjoyed some excellent meals at these country hotels. Wheelmen have patronized them a great deal and many of the old wayside inns throughout New England have taken on new life. This former glory left with the stage coach and the horse back travelers but they are being rejuvenated, or, rather reanimated. I several times met other wheelmen at these taverns, for New England is the field of the touring cyclist. Fully as many ladies as gentlemen are to be seen enjoying long excursions, and on several occasions I met gentlemen and their wives going on trips of 200 or 300 miles.
Back on the road tomorrow.
Dennis