Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-07-29
TIE STATE CONVENTION
Prospects Are for Large
Crowd in the Auditorium
Tomorrow.
Judge Walter S. Smith to Be
Temporary and Probably
Permanent Chairman.
Ketchum's Chances Good to Land
Railroad Commissionership
...Brandt Withdraws.

Special to mes-Repub!ican.
/ Des Moines, July 29.-After all the
Republican state convention is develop
ing more interest than was anticipated
a few weeks ago. The lobby gossip
of last night and this morning was
the scene last evening We're larger than
was promised, candidates and their
special friends are numerous. promin
ent republicans from all over the state
are here I'm great numbers, and today
the convention crowds are swarming in
and out of the great awning on Fourth
interest in the forthcoming state con-
vention. There is prospect of good
/ day, as far as climate is concerned.
There can hardly be the swelterng heat
of last years convention or some 9TH
ers within memory. Admission to the
auditorium will be by ticket and while
there has been great demand for seats
there will be room for all.
The district caucuses will be held.
as usual. at 9 o'clock in the morning
and at 10 the convention will be opened
/ by Chairman Spence who will call
Judge Walter l. Smith to the chair
las temporary presiding officer. The
4 prayer will be by DR.. Marshall. of this
icity, and old friend of the late Presi-
ldent Mckinley. There is no talk of a
permanent chairman and it seems prob
able that Judge Smith will be made
lperinanent chairman. There is not
likely to arise any controversy that
will call for any special favors from
the chair. hence there is no interest
! in the permanent chairman.
The contest for places on the ticket
lis becoming more sharply defined. The
truth is that the burden of the fight is
looming on the last place to be filled
that of railroad commissioner. All else
depends on that. The candidates for
clerk are all watching the fight on the
other office. Each and every one real
iIes he has not enough TO vim. Each
one hopes to gain some advantage by
1.-The fight on railroad commissioners
1 The contest for reporter Will be dis
posed of in one ballot. Hence the
trading or forming Of combines must
be with reference to clerk. 1t is no
|exaggeration to say that the prospect
for the nomination Of Mr.. Ketchum
lhas greatly improved the past two days
and that he is clearly in the lead ii
lone may judge by all ordinary indlca-
ltions Mr. laetchum's friends are hope
Ifu and confident and the friends OF
lother candidates wear no air of conf
|dence Ex-Governor Packard is here
and with him Mr.. Estabrook, Mr..
Saint Mr.. Goodrich, MIR. Cummings.
| Mr.. Classen and many others. and they
are doing good work. The Fifth dis
ltriCt is solid for Ketchum and he has
Icounties like Story, Boone and Poca-
.lhontas instructed for him. But this
| only partially indicates his strength.
He has counties in every district OF
1.-THE state that are solid for him and
individual delegates in scores of the
lother counties. No man in the lob
bies has been greeted more heartily
THAN Mr. ketchuln by early delegates.
"trhere is only one way they can
beat Mr.. ketchum," said Gov. Packard
Hast night. THAT is by a comhina-
ltion OF the railroad claquers who may
be brought in here. The situation looks
better than we had expected. Mr.
Ketchum has evidently done better out
| in the state than we at home had be-
llieyed possible. We find men coming
| in here from every corner OF the state
| for him. Now what we want is a cam
didate who will represent the people
and be fair to all interests. The rail-
4 road influence is against ketchum in
| large degree, but we are going to land
him in the nomination as sure as the
| day comes round"
The friends of Mr.. Dawson deny
that there can be anything in the re-
ported effort of the railroad men to re-
| nominate him. However the impress
| sion is general that the railroad in
| nuence is for Dawson. 1t is certain
! ii is not for either of the others. Mr.
| slakemore is telling stories and being
| 3 good fellow An effort has beer
made by the Dawson people to form a
combination with Blallemore and to
stand together They have been hold
| ing it out that if Blakemore will help
| Dawson in case his help will nominate
the latter there will be return of the
favor in due time. But Elakemore's
friends see that if Dawson is renomin-
ated then Palmer will be next year
and Brown two years later, and it viii
| be long time before there is any
| change in the office. The friends OF
Brown We're much grieved over report
that lie was throwing his Eleventh
district influence to Dawson and would
lnot help kctchum. Last night ms
Friends went after him and it is un-
derstood a change will be effected IN
| the Eleventh district j. w. Blythe,
| of Burlington, declares that he has no
Interest whatever in the railroad COM
missioner fight. "All three of the can
didates were original Gear mem, he
said and l am not making choice
between Them" But the First district
politicians have been trying to form
combinations that will help Dawson all
they can. Taken all in all the out
look is very bright for ketchum. His
friends are most aggressive and he
will certainly lead at the start.
There is little change in the situa-
tion in regard to clerk. AS stated be-
fore, ali are waiting on the other ofti-
CeS.
Amos Brandt Withdrew last night
from the contest for auditor and left
tp.ao r1N