Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-06-19
Very Probable That National Ticket Will
Be Mckinley and Roosevelt.
LATTER HAS NOT YET CONSENTED TO PLAN
Dinner Held Last Evening Which May Become Historical
Roosevelt Was Dscussed-Do Friends Have
se-A Given Up Hope--Say His Boom
50 is Strong.

Philadelphia, Ju g Sunless the
concencus of the 8; N of the most
experienced politica & servers in the
country is awry, the, .tion of can
didate for vice president will be virtu-
ally made before today closes. The
key to the situation is held by Roose-
.velt who alone can unlock it and it
seems certain at this writing that Nc
Kinley and Roosevelt will be the slo-
gan with which the republicans will
appeal to the country in the approach
ing campaign, and yet Roosevelt will
have to decide, and thus far he has not
said the decisive word. The formida-
BILE proportions assumed by the Roose-
velt boom was the subject of earnest
consideration by prominent republican
leaders who attended dinner at the
residence of Clement A. GriscoEl, just
outside Philadelphia last night. That
dinner may become historic. Only the
friends of the administration were
present, and the platform and Roose-
velt were discussed.
One of the most distinguished partic-
ipants in the dinner, when asked today
whether an effort would be made to
stem the stampede towards Roosevelt
which began Sunday, replied: "With
whom would you stem it? You cannot
defeat something with nothing. Roose-
velt's candidacy is something tangible.
1t no longer can be reckoned with as an
ephermeral thing"
In nutshell that is the situation as
regarded by the best political minds in
attendance at the convention. General
Grosvenor, of Ohio, and Senator Thurs
ton, both supporters of the administra-
tion, in signed statements today, ex-
press the opinion that Roosevelt will
not consent to have his name presented
to the convention; and if his name is
announced a word from him will put
an end to the whole performance. Dol.
liver's friends insist that he will not be
stampeded from the race and declare
that he will remain until the finish.
Today crowds are arriving on every
incoming train. Marching clubs and
bands on all the principal streets are
making things lively in true convention
style. The perfunctory proceedings
the past few days have given way to
aggressiveness and hustle, and tens OF
thousands of strangers will be in the
city by nightfall. The weather is de-
Ightful. Delegation meetings for the
purpose of selecting members of the
convention committee will be the order
of the day. Interest centers in the ac.
tion of the New York delegation which
convenes at 5, o'clock tonight. At that
time action will be taken by the dele
cation as to Roosevelt and it is not III.
likely that he may make some state.
ment of his position and desires.
The distribution of tickets for the
convention was begun by Sergeant-at
arms Wiswell this morning. The city
of Philadelphia is given 1000, which
will be given to the persons subscrib
ing to the local convention fund. Each
delegate received his own and two ad
ditional tickets and every alternate is
given one seat. Th national commit
teemen were each presented with TWEEN
ty-five and the remainder distributed
among the distinguished men invited
by the national committee.
Roosevelt Takes Action.
Towards il o'clock Roosevelt begaI
active work to stem the tide of senti
ment in favor of his nomination. He
had conferences. with Henry C. Payne
Senator's Lodge and Hanna, Nationa
Committeeman Gibbs, of New York
Benjamin B. Odell, and other leaders
Hanna it is stated, advised that the
proper course for him to pursue wa
to issue a statement positively declin
ing the nomination.
"It will be entirely consistent will
your previous statements Ham;
urged, "and will convince people tha
you have lost none of your determine
tion when you set out to accomplish
result"
"But I have never asserted answer
ed Roosevelt, II would decline if nom
mated. ] do not want the Office bu
am not sure / can refuse If the conven
tion fails. to listen to my protest."
"You had better take a razor ans