The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-06-21

to upset the present programme In
which event the nomination OF oil candi-
dates will be made and roll call
forced. But even In this contingency,
there IL little doubt now Of the nomina-
tion OF Roosevelt.
There are two men who might prevent
his nomination, but IL is doubtful II
even they could stem the tide. They are
william Mckinley and Thedodore Roose
Welt. The latter possibly could do 50 by
making an absolute declaration that he
would not accept the nomination II
made, but now, 1t Is doubtful II even
that kind of a declaration would stop
the stampede. II there was direct In
timation from the President that he did
not want Roosevelt nominated, IL would
cause pause, but 1t would not necessari-
" prevent the contamination Of the plan
for the selection Of Roosevelt. But no
such action Is In the least anticipated.
In fact the news prevailed the convention
and circulated among the delegates to-
day that the President did not want the
administration to influence the delegates
for or against any candidate. Mr.. Hanna
declared:that this had been the position
Of the President all along and that his
wishes had been respected. The free
choice OF the convention has been
Roosevelt from the first and 1t has be en-
his own personally Expressed wish that
he should not be nominated together
with the earnest work Of Mr.. Hanna in
the same direction, that has stayed the
II.
himself knows that he will be nominated
and will make no further statement, nor
is there the least probability that he
will decline the nomination when made.
This is SO well understood that delega-
ton after delegation today. either by
direct vote or general understanding
among themselves, came over to him and
made his nomination assured, no mat
ter how brought about.
Another matter which has contributed
to general acquiescence In the selection
OF Roosevelt is the fact that his pers onal-
ity seems to be about the only thing
to bring life into the convention. The
known fact that Mckinley was to be
nominaed by acclamation; general APP
prevail OF all other business including the
adoption OF the platform over which there
was no contest, has made the proceedings
somewhat apathetic and the belief is
general that the name and personality OF
Roosevelt win rouse the enthusiasm
which has been lacking.
Concerning the rumor which was cir
culated that the convention was to be
stampeded for Roosevelt for President,
Senator Hanna tonight said:
IT have seen the report and all have
to say Is that the convention Is composed
of sensible men who are here engaged In
an important duty. That being the
case, there is not the least possibility OF
anything OF that character occurring"
The convention well meet at 10 o'clock
in the morning and leaders are sanguine
enough to believe that everything would
be over by o'clock. The programme for
the nomination of Vice President Is
complete and New York viii not be
embarrassed in its selection of Lieut..
Gov. Woodruff as its candidate.
1t is indeed possible that Lieut.. Gov.
Woodruff may himself make the noIni-
nation on behalf of New York state and
move to suspend the rules and make
Roosevelt's nomination unanimous.
That is the probable way that New
York will relieve itself.
1t may be said definitely that Gov.
Roosevelt understands this and with
equal positiveness 1t may be declared that
he will accept the nomination. He has
made brilliant tight, fight rather
unprecedented in political annals because
it has been to prevent a nomination. not
to obtain it. He has beaten the political
strated his ability to play at political
checks with Senator Platt and ex-senator
Quay and 1t may be said that had this
been the only element he had to contend
with he would have beaten both. But
from the West and South has come such
a great demand for Roosevelt's nomi-
nation that it has shaken his determine
ton and has compelled leaders who
desired to respect his wishes, leaders
close to the administration, to bow to q
popular feeling that could not be sup
pressed.
For Gov. Roosevelt, 1t may be said,
that he has resigned himself to the situa-
ton. Leaving the convention he went
directly to the private house at which
Mrs. Roosevelt is staying, declaring that
he had done everything In his power to
stop the nomination. and that he was
now through. At his headquarters many
delegates called and were told that he
was not to be seen. Most significant is
the attitude of the Woodruff element.
Mr.. Woodruff himself was not even
rufled. He smiled as he said:
1T told Senator Hanna this morning
that l believed nothing could beat Mr..
Roosevelt for the nomination. further
told him that / had always believed that
there would be great sentiment for
him, and never believed that stood
any chance to be nominated II he was
taken up by the convention. do believe