The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-06-19

speech. The scene bordered on the
dramatic. Sitting near him, as he
spoke, were Congressman Littauer and
Sherman, of New York, and Prof.
jerks, of Columbia college, who have
all along urged the governor not to ac-
oept. Just behind the row Of news.
paper men stood Frank Platt, Lemuel
Quigg and b. B. Odell, of the New
York organization. AS the governor
read and waited for the newspaper
men to write down the statement, he
frequently glanced in the direction Of
the group of politicians. When he fin
ished, he said: Gentlemen, that is all.
have nothing more to say"
Mr.. Llttauer said he thought the
statement timely and believed that 1t
would give the delegates who were
of the situation. "And l don't mean
by that" he said, rather aggressively,
"the Pennsylvania delegation or those
who for ulterior motives are pressing
the governors nomination"
Platt Dissatisfied.
Then Mr. Quigg and Mr.. Frank Platt
declared that they believed the state
ment unwise and they left the room,
refusing to talk to the waiting news
paper man. The statement acted as a
cold water douche on those members
of the New York delegation who had
planned to nominate some other cam
didate for governor than Mr.. Roose-
welt. However, the statement was re-
ceived by many of the delegations as
a mere reiteration of Roosevelts origi-
A. ~, q - II.
the nomination. Several delegates ex-
pressed the opinion that the situation
would not change and that if Roose-
velt's name was presented to the con-
vention he would be nominated and
would not dare refuse.
1t is pointed out as significant that
Governor Roosevelt will not assert that
he will decline the office if nominated.
He hopes, however, with the aid of
Senator Hanna to defeat the plan to
nominate him.
Senator Lodge contradicts the cur
rent report concerning his utterances
in the conference in Governor Roose-
velt's rooms today, in which he parti-
cipated with the governor and Senator
Hanna. He says that he went to Gov
ernor Roosevelt's room as ~ supporter
of Secretary Long and that the gov
ernor knew his position. "I have been
q personal friend Of Governor Roose-
welt for many years." he said land as
his friend it would be impossible for
me to take the position there attri-
buted to me, or to use the language
placed in my mouth. He does not want
the office and there is no reason why
it should be forced upon him. He
knows how l feel and he knows that I
am for Long first, last and all the
time. The whole story is the tissue of
inventions"
Day of Conferences.
1t has been a day of conferences on
the ce-presidential situation. Begin
ming with a gathering in the room OF
Governor Roosevelt, attended by Sena-
tor Hanna, Senator Lodge and Mr..
Odell, of New York, it was continued
in the rooms of Senator Hanna later,
when nearly all the leaders in the city
were from time to time in the confer
ence with the chairman of the national
committee. There We're Senators ALI
son, Scott, Carter, Lodge, Burrows, Ell
kins, Shoup, also Mr. Bliss, besides
many representatives of the New York
leaders, both Governor Roosevelt ana
Senator Platt being represented. When
the last man had disappeared Senator
Hanna looked weary, but satisfied. He
was ready to announce that Governor
Roosevelt would not be nominated and
that the men who were going to make
the nomination would accept the dec
laration of Roosevelt, made during the
day, and supplements of more en-
phatic declarations made some time
ago as final, and would not force the
nomination upon him.
Among the last men to see Senator
Hanna were Chairman Odell, of the
New York committee, and l.. +. Quigg,
who discussed the situation at great
length. 1t was with these men that
Senator Hanna labored. He told them
that six weeks ago Roosevelt was
wanted as a presidential candi-
date. He and other warm. friends of
the administration believed he would
be very satisfactory candidate. The
bare suggestion brought out a protest
from Roosevelt-a declaration in very
emphatic terms that he would not ac-
cept the place. After this declaration
was taken up by Senator Platt, who
publicly announced that Governor
Roosevelt was not to be considered as
a vice-presidential candidate. Then
other candidates appeared and in a
dignified manner their interests We're
put forward by their friends through
the country.
The only man appearing in New
York was Lieutenant Governor Wood
ruff. The suggestion of ex-Secretary
Bliss brought forth a declination from
him later by a statement from Mr..
Hanna himself, that Bliss could not be
considered for personal reasons.
Senator Hanna then pointed out that
after the delegates began arriving the
name of Roosevelt was suddenly
sprung with an effort to stampede the
convention and force nomination
upon man who did not want it, ap-
parently because some other candidate
was desired for governor. As the Ohio
senator rehearsed the c0nAltions he
warmed up and pointed out that under
the existing conditions the nomination
of Roosevelt was not fair to the men
who had come out for the place and
who should have an equal show before
the convention. This plain talk of the
senator cleared up what had been In
doubt all day.
Hanna Will Not Lie Down.
1t was evident that Hanna was not
going TO lie down. 1t was a distinct
show of fight and a signal to the
friends Of the administration that op-
position to forcing Roosevelt upon the
ticket against his will would meet
with no favor. This tip did not circu-
late until quite late in the evening,