The record-union., 1899-12-13
On Important Matters Relating to the Next
Presidential Campaign.
It Having Been Practically Settled
That Mckinley will be Renom-
mated, the Question as to Who
Will be His Running Mate is
the Absorbing Topic, the Gem
era1 Sentiment Indicating the
Selection of Secretary Of War
Root.


.on dispatch to the Leader says:
Washington just now is a hive of POI
litical industry. The Arlington Hotel
is one of the leading centers of political
activity, and one cannot enter the lobby
of that hosiery of an evening without
seeing in one corner or another a small
group of prominent figures in the Re-
publican party engaged in serious and
earnest consultation. Conferences are
held also in the apartments of Senator
Hanna and Henry c. Payne, respec-
lively Chairman and Vice Chairman of
the National Committee, who are guests
of the hotel, and Senator Platt of New
York, Senator Spooner of Wisconsin.
Senator Scott of West Virginia, Senator
Platt of Connecticut, who live there,
while other we'll known members of the
Senate nightly throng the lobby. Knots
of these men are always visible, and
politics is the magnet which brings
them together.
Two Of the greatest questions that are
receiving the attention of these men
are. first, who shall be McKinley's run
ming mate next year? Second, shall
we nominate our ticket by reclamation?
In the light of the information that has
been gathered within the last three
days from the contact with Hobbies in
politics. it may be stated all-sufficient
that the Republican national ticket
next year will be Mckinley and Root.
That the President will be renominated
there has been no doubt for a long
time. AS to the nominee for Vice Pres
1dent, the sentiment in favor of Elihu
Root. the Secretary of War, which be-
came apparent several months ago, has
assumed proportions which, in the opin-
ion of men who are masters in the art
of politics, practically insures him be-
ing given second place on the ticket.
Careful, conservative men, such as Mr..
Payne is known to be, do not hesitate
at this time to predict Mr.. Roots nom
ination for the Vice Presidency by the
Republican party next year.
IF l were prophesying on the ticket,
I would say it would be Mckinley and
Root" said Mr. Payne this evening
Although 1 am a Western man. can
see reasons which admit of no argu-
ment for the Vice Presidential nominee
going to an Eastern man. 1t seems to
be conceded generally that New York
ought to produce him Mr. Root would
to the ticket, which another man would
not do and which are needed He has
made a splendid record for himself as
the head of the War Department. and
is in every way fitted for the place
which Mr.. Hobart graced."
That Mr.. Root is willing to go on
the ticket with Mr.. Mckinley there is
not the slightest doubt 1t may be
said even that the Secretary is ambi-
tious to procure the Vice Presidential
nomination.
When Mr.. Platt was asked tonight
whom he favored for the Vice Presi-
dental nomination, he said:
ANY good New York man would suit
me-
How about Mr.. Root?''
Mr.. Root would be satisfactory"
was the reply. Mckinley will be
nominated by reclamation"
AS to the matter of nominating the
entire ticket by reclamation, there is
reason to believe that the next Repub-
lican convention will establish such a
precedent. Senator Hanna has con-
ceived the idea, and it is remarkable
how favorably it is being received. The
Senator has confided his proposition to
a few friends, and they are enthusiastic
over it. Mr.. Hanna believes that in
asmuch as Mckinley will be renomi-
mated in this manner, his running mate
should be accorded the same distinc-
ton.
1T seems to me-" he said tonight,
that contest in the convention for
the Vice Presidency should be avoided,
for the reason chiefly that President
Mckinley will be named for first place
without opposition. The nomination
for second place under the circum-
stances should be made, in my opinion,
with the same absence of friction and
contest. If we could go before the coun-
try with a ticket chosen in such a
way, the effect upon the party through
out the United States and upon the
people of all parties would be most
marked"
Vice Chairman Payne agreed heartily
with Mr.. Hanna's plan. The more he
considers it the more pleased he be-
comes with it, He said tonight that
he would be happy to see the conven-
ton adopt it.
In all probability the convention will