The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-25
MIR. M,KINLEY'S TOUR.
Plans a 10000 Mile Stump Across
the Country Next Fall

Washington, Dec. 25.-Friends of the
president say Mr.. Mckinley viii next
fall equal if not surpass the famous
campaigning tour of Benjamin Harri-
son. The president has assured Senator
Perkins of California that he viii ac-
company the delegation in congress
from that state to witness the launch
ing of the new battleship Ohio at San
Francisco. This vessel is being built
by the Union Iron works, and will be
ready for the water in September or
October. 1t is expected that this visit
to the Pacific coast will be in its chief
feature prOtracted rear-end, speech
making tour. The party will probably
go over the Northern route and return
by the Southern lines, through New Or
leans and other gulf cities. The south
and west will be covered in a journey
of 10000 miles Before making this
trip the president, it is said, will be
given an opportunity to visit New Eng
land and New York. In this manner,
without the appearance of actual cam
paigning, he will be enabled to perform
missionary work in every section of the
union.
A report that the Republican leaders
are endeaVOring to concentrate on Cor
nelius n. Bliss of New York as their
candidate for the vice presidential nom
inatiOn attracts much attention here.
Well posted politicians say New York
Republicans are back of the Bliss
movement, and that they are endeavOr-
ing to persuade Mr.. Bliss to become a
nation will bring about Republican har-
mOny in New York
There is a more general sentiment so
far as can be ascertained here. in favor
of Secretary Root for vice president
than for any other man. That was
clear at the meeting Of the national
committee and it is equally clear from
letters, telegraIns and newspaper clip
pings, that have reached here since the
meeting of the committee. From all of
these items it appears that Secretary
Root would be very acceptable to the
party in New York. There IS no prob
ability, according to the present out
look, of the nomination of anybody
from New York state excepting Mr..
Root. 1t is very certain that Lieuten-
ant Governor Woodruff will not be nom
mated under any circumstances. and
Governor Roosevelt says that he would
not accept the nomination. AS it looks
now, if Mr.. Root should not be nomin-
ated the vice president will be taken
from the west.
Republican politicians here say Mr.
Mckinley has expressed the hope that
the Philadelphia convention will be
made a memorable occasion in the his
tory of the Republican party. It has
been understood that because there
would be no contest in the convention.
either over candidates or platform, the
convention would be a very tame af-
fair. It is the intention of those having
matters in charge that this shall not be
the case. Mr.. Hanna declares the con
vention will not be one of tameness and
duh perfunctory proceedings. Mr.
Hanna says there are many things
which should contribute to make the
convention historic and to mark an
epoch in the politics of the country. It
is to be made an occasion Of rejoicing
over the triumph of Republican prin-
ciples after beating down the free sill
yer combinations of the opposition. 1t
is also to be made the occasion of hope
and prophecy In the presence of his
tOric surroundings, suggestive Of the
determination and progressive spirit of
America. and in the midst OF manufac-
tories and evidences of commercial en-
ergies, it is expected to put forth such
utteranccs as will arouse the spirit of
the whole country and awaken the peo-
pie to a realization of the powers and
opportunities of the nation
The presidents great ambition is that
his administration shall be noted in his
tory as a period of great commercial
development and progress All the di-
plomacy of the nation, under his guild
ance, has been directed toward secur-
ing trade opportunities and advantages
| for the United States. The instructions
to our representatives at foreign courts
| have been to this end, and this consid-
GRAFTON inspired the negotiations now in
satisfactory condition in reference to
! the open door in China. The Philip
pine question also is being considered
from q commercial point of view. The
president is quoted as saying he wants
commercial development made the key
note of the campaign OF 1906.