The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-09-01

At 1920 this morning the second Re-
publican Territorial convention in Ha-
waii was called to order in Progress
hall, by Chairman A. G. M. Robert
son, of the Territorial Central commit
tee. There was a very large attendance
of delegates from all the islands, and
since last Saturday they had been hold
ing a constant series of caucusses, but
the prospects were "in the air" No
agreements had been reached as to the
choice of a delegate to Congress, and
three distinct policies were in the minds
of delegates.
Hon. Samuel Parker was present,
steadily declining to be candidate.
Hon. A. G. NJ. Robertson, who appear
ed to be the choice of the straight
out" Republicans, was naturally pre-
sent as the man whose duty it was to
call the convention to order. The
other possible candidate, Prince Cupid
did not show up.
Parker's refusal to run was positive,
in spite of many friends having urged
him to take the nomination, which he
could certainly have had by asking for
it. "He can beat Wilcox this year"
was the practically unanimous senti-
ment of the delegates, but Parker would
not run. Mrs. Parker is said to have
objected to his entering the race again,
and the colonel told all who approached
him on the subject that he would not
run.
In spite of this there were those in
the convention who wanted to nominate
Parker. They thought that if the con-
vention paid no attention to his refusals
but proceeded to nominate him and
send a committee to him telling AIM
That the people demanded that he run,
ne would accept the nomination and
enter the fight. Some of the members
from the other islands declared that
they would favor this action on the
floor of the convention.
Yesterday afternoon the delegates
held a caucus that lasted a long time.
The nomination of Cupid was discussed
at length, and the Prince was consulted
The stumbling block even with those
who wanted to nominate him, was the
fact that he refused to declare himself
a Republican. The prince proposed to
see the platform first. There was some
lively discussion of his candidacy, but
no agreement was reached.
The hitch with Cupid was on the is
sue of naming a man who was not in
advance an avowed Republican. Cupid
strength as a candidate was recognized,
but the "dyed in the WOLF Republicans
strenuously objected to putting up a
man who was not an out and out
member of the party. 81 should not be
able to look the portrait of Mckinley
in the face again." Col. Fisher, secre-
tary of the central committee, is re-
ported to have said in the caucus III
1 agreed to go outside the party for a
candidate for our principal Office"
A. c. NJ. Robertson was agreed upon
generally as the best available Re-
publican and though neither the Cupid
men nor the Parker men gave up al
together, it was conceded all round that
Robertson would get the nomination
unless Cupid or Parker made change
of position. AS long as the Prince re-
mains only doubtfully a Republican
many of the members of the convention
will fight against him to the last ditch
At nine o'clock this morning the Maui
and Hawaiian delegates met in caucus
in the Judd building and the Kauai
delegates met in the Progress han al
the same hour. There was a full atte'
dance at both gatherings but the dele
gates did not seem to leave the meet
ings any more settled on the delegate
ship question.
The issue remained an open one
when the convention met, with 6
chance that the convention might no
inmate Parker and insist upon his
running or definately declining a no
mination, or might adopt a platform
and give Cupid a chance to accept 1T
On the other hand Robertson's friends
are strong on the floor of the house
and his nomination is a practical GER