Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-07-20
CLUBS MEET.
Large Attendance at Opening Ses-
sion in Omaha.
DELEGATE FROM HAWAI-.
President Crawford, In His Annual Ad-
dress, Extols the Doctrine of Terri
torisl Expansion-Many to Fight for

torial Expansion-Many to Fight for
tho Position of Head Of the League.
Omaha, Neb., July 15.-Facing
stage decorated with a profusion OF
cut flowers and palms and old glory,
the delegates to the National League
Of Republican Clubs came to order
schedule called for. The decorations
Of Boyd's theater were most elaborate.
President Crawford called the conven-
ton to order. and prayer by the Rev.
Flasher M. Sisson Of the Hanscom Park
Methodist church was followed by
reading the official call by Secretary
Slime.
John L. Webster of Omaha delivered
an address Of welcome on behalf OF
Nebraska, and President Charles e.
Winter of the Nebraska State league
spoke for his organization, he in turn
being followed by Mayor Frank e.
Moores, who spoke for Omaha.
President L. J. Crawford Of the ma
tional league then delivered his an
nual address. Referring to the war, he
said:
1--WE find ours, YES at the beginning
of new era, face to face with new
problems in international affairs and
in our new relations with the colonies
of Spain. We shall solve them all un-
moved by any attitude or desire OF the
alleged powers and without thought
of aggrandizement shall solve them all
in the interest of justice, humanity
and good government. If in Cuba,
Porto Rico. the Philippines and the
Canaries tyranny and oppression shall
progressive government, who, at home
or among the other nations of the
earth, can justly complain Of the for
nation of new republics, of American
protectorates, or even of American ter
ritorial expansion? 1t would be we'll
to consider whether, after cooperating
with the Philippine insurgents, and ad-
hitting the justice of their cause, we
can ever turn those islands over to
Spain in consideration of any In
demnity or sell them to any nation by
way Of obtaining indemnity. Ameri-
ca has expanded before-as witness
Louisiana and Florida, Texas and
Alaska-and parties have opposed such
extensions-as witness the federallsts
and the wings. These parties died; the
nation lives"
At the close of President Crawford's
speech a telegram Of congratulation
was sent to President Mckinley. Rob-
ert w. Single of Honolulu was elected
as delegate from Hawaii amid cheers
for the new territory.
The campaign for the office of presi-
dent is engrossing much attention. The
Pennsylvania delegates are energetical-
ly pushing the claims of their candi-
date, Isador Sabel, of Erie. They say
every hour adds to his strength, and
confidently assert that he will be elect
ed Friday. E. NJ Dingley of Kalama-
ZOO Mich, son of Congressman Ding
ley of Maine, is making warm can
vass for the position. j. Goodman Boyd
of Maryland is prosecuting his cam
paign with vigor, and has the active
assistance of the Maryland delegation,
which is apparently the most encour-
aging crowd Of boomers on the
grounds.
Col. w. ]. Stone, of California, is also
carefully looking after his interests.
He desires a reelection as secretary.
He is opposed by A. F. Myer of New
Jersey, whose boom has been formally
launched by the New Jersey delega-
ton.
Among the committee much work
was done. Only one contest-that
from Illinois-was presented for the
credentials committee. This was set
tied in favor of the regulars" headed
by Senator Isaac Miller Hamilton.
The anti-Tanner men will be without
representatives II the committees re-
port is adopted. The committee on
time and place for the next national
convention heard the arguments in
favor of three places which presented
invitations. st. Paul made a strong
showing. based on its ease Of access,
it's facilities for taking care of con-
vention, etc. Los Angeles urged the
advantage of California and Los Ange-
les in particular. Galveston put in a
claim based on the fact that Texas is
undergoing political reformation and
only needs little stimulation to be-
come a republican state.
The committee has given no express
sion of preference, but 1t seems that
ST. Paul is clearly in the lead for the
location.
Today's program includes two bust
ness sessions during the day and
grand mass meeting at the exposition
auditorium in the evening.