The San Francisco call., 1896-06-17

second place on the ticket than is usual
when the nomination for the Presidency is
IN doubt.
This convention, unique of course in the
fact that the first place on the ticket was
practically filed before it met, may how
ever have an unusually lively struggle
over the second place. Mr.. Hanna, though
Obliged to concede what he did not like,
and for little while irritated and indig-
nant at the attempts of the gold standard
men to dictate to him, had quite recovered
his equanimity by the time the convention
met at noon and was smiling and cheer
fully confident as ever.
Most OF the delegates and intelligent OBJ
servers thought that the first session of
the convention was dull and depressing.
The convention hall is far inferior in APP
pearance and arrangement, and above all
in acoustic properties, to the Minneapolis
hall OF 1892. 1t was notably difficult for
most of the 1900 people who were there
to-day to hear much of what was said
Temporary Chairman Fairbanks spoke in
a good loud voice and yet most of his
speech was lost to the audience
The prayer of the Jewish rabbi chaplain
standard declaration, got quite as much
applause proportionately from the conven-
tion as the Fairbanks speech. The only
approach manifested to enthusiasm during
the entire time was when the Maine
delegation arose and cheered at
reference to James G.. Blaine, who
secured in the Mckinley bill the reci-
procity feature which is now relied upon
chiefly by the Mckinley managers to
hold the Western Republican farmers
away from the seductions of the free-coin-
age advocates. The make-believe that
Speaker Reed, Senator Allison, Senator
Quay and Governor Morton are still Presi-
dental candidates is still kept up with
the view OF getting as many votes as posi-
bic by way of pliment for each of them
in the convention, but even the dullest
rustic visitor to st. Louis is not deceived
by it.
The fight between the Morton and
Hobart-that Is to say, the Platt and
Hanna-forces got more intense as the
day wore on, and in the evening, especially
in the New York delegation, was more
than acrimonious.
Mr.. Platt is at some disadvantage in the
struggle. because he is obliged FOR the
present to admit that Governor Morton is
a candidate for the Presidency and at the
same time has to advocate his nomination
for the e-Presidency.
He has been trying to commit as MANY
as possible of the New York delegation TO
the Morton as against the Hobart move
ment. Warner Miller and the other Nc
Kin!eyites of the New York delegation
have been fighting him desperately, seven
teen of them signing a vigorous protest
against bringing Governor Morton's name
and the New York factional fights into the
convention in this way.
They went so far as to get out circular
to the colored delegates signed by six col
ored Republicans Of New York asking
them whether they could afford to sup.
port for Vice-President "a man who
while occIpyin, that office resigned
his place as presiding officer to
a Democrat when the Lodge election bill
came up before the United States Senate
No." continues the circular, ''of course
not; and then you cannot entertain the
idea for moment of giving the second
place on the ticket to Levi 2. Morton Of
New York.
eli the Lodge election bill had become
law it would have given two millions of
colored Republicans in the South the
right of franchise guaranteed by the con-
stitution, but with held owing to the
leadership of such Republicans as Thomas
c. Platt's candidate for Vice-Presid ent.
Chauncey NJ. Depew, who wants to be
Vice-President himself although he has
been automatically denying the fact, is
indignant over the Morton movement, de-
claring that if he could be sure that Gov
ernor Morton really wanted the Vice
Presidential nomination he would decline
to put him in nomination for the Presi-
dency, as he has promised and prepared
to do.
But Mr.. Platt has ways of quitting the
screws on" Mr.. Depew, which will prob
ably make him not only nominate Morton
for the Presidency, but for the Weep
dency as well.
Platt is doing everything in his power,
through this controversy on the Vice-Presi-
dency and in other ways, to delay Hanna's
programme, and threatens to bring all the
contests up in the convention, even though
the committee on credentials does ignore
all except those from Delaware and Texas
Permanent Chairman Thurston, how
ever, is prepared to enforce the Reed rules,
even on Mr.. Platt. Senator Quay is
working with Senator Platt for Morton
and against Hobart, regarding the latter
as in alliance with Quay's enemies in
nnsylvania, especially since David Mar
tin, like all the other Mckinley people, is
doing his best to nominate hobart
Platt and Quay and Lodge, the leaders
of the Morton movement claim tonight
that they will win. 9. 9. CARLTON.
FELL OUT WITH HANNA.