The evening world., 1903-12-11
Republican National Committee
men All Shout for Him When
the Wise Reporters Are
Near.
BUT THEY HAVE ALL
GOT KNIVES OUT FOR HIM.
It's a Case of "Who's Afraid?'
Though They Dread a Frown
Chicago Slated to Get the
National Convention.
Especial to The Evening WORLDLY

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-THE cogs OF
the Republican National machine stood
stiffiy in the lobby OF the Arllng ton
Hotel this morning until the hub. Mark
Hanna. appeared. Then they assembled
around him. quickly and with no creaks
OF jolts. and at IL O'Clock the machine
was grinding ponderously.
National Committee meeting Is a
pretentious bluff. Each State has some
solemn citizen who will contrive to get
on the committee, and all he gets a
chance to do Is to pay and go to a
meeting once In four years where he
can listen to a lot OF pigeon-breasted
orators tell why their cities are the
greatest places in the world to hold the
coming convention in.
About eight men on the committee
run the business of the campaigns. The
others do the heavy standing around.
All of the ISLANDERS around are here. and
six of the eight business gentlemen.
These six. with Hanna at their head,
who is merely boss and not a member
OF the committee at all, have decided
that Chicago will have the convention
and that 1t will be held early next June
on the first or second Tuesday.
Smiles Tint AEonixe.
II Is loudly proclaimed that Roosevelt
will be the unanimous choice Of the con-
vention for President This statement
10 made with many infections OF JOY
when reporters are around, but It is
coupled with words that really are not
At to print when there are no reporters
present. .
The sad fact is that Mr. Roosevelt,
the peerless leader Of the Republican,
party, Is a case OF must. The National
Committeeman would like to help de-
feat him for the nomination, but they
don't know how, and wouldn't dare II
they did.
They have been singing the siren song
to Hanna for weeks, but that wary
Ulysses has lashed himself to the mast
and listened, but is not allured. He
would like to defeat Roosevelt. too.
but he doesn't know how either. nor
does he dare. with all his courage:
Postmaster-General Payne and Perry
Heath met in the lobby and talked
OF old times. Mr.. Bristow was not pres
ent.
Heath isn't going to resign. Hanna will
hold on for a while. at least. Roosevelt
win. be nominated, unless some miracle
worker comes along. The air palpitates
Teddy, and behind every back there is a
razor edge.
When Senator Hanna called the meet
round OF applause. He expressed briefly
his thanks to the committee for the
work in the campaign os 1900. saying:
Stand Pat, Says Hanna.
"I desire to improve this opportunity
to thank the members of this committee
In the campaign of 1900 for which ser
vice they were chosen by the conven-
ton held that year;
pleasure to me to make this acknowl-
edgment of unanimous and able support
on the part of this committee in that
campalgn. Those of you who may be
unfortunate enough to be chosen again
will have that experience.
"All of interest to the Republican
party that centres in this meeting can
And all that is necessary to bring about
that result Is to stand pat upon the
principals and policies of that party"
hearty applause. Chairman Hanna ex-
planned that all meetings of the com
mittee would be public except at the
meeting TOMORROW. when oallottng for
would take place.
They Call mt the White House.
the White House. After waiting a few
minutes In the green parlor the Presi-
dent entred and was heartily greeted
by the committee: Chairman Hanna
''Mr. President. have honor to pre-.
sent en- usSsse the members of the Re-
publican Nat onal Committee. in my
experience with this body of men I
htyo found them all true. loyal Repub-
licans. ready to support the prInelpaIs
OF the Republican party at all times"
President Roosevelt replied: '.Mr.
Chairman and Sentiemen: 1t is a pue-
men to whom not merely the party, but
the country has owed so much In the
immediate past, and the men to whom
,ss,cb nSIn parry r. ana ,r country will owe so
This sentiment was applauded by the
you had better pass around the
With each one." remarked Senator
"Ail right" responded the President
best was Way 5us5 so Eet at which was the
these fellows" responded Senator
Hanna. 'They are all anxious to see
As the, laugh subslded the President
have sat at the feet OF Gamalel."
tie then passed around the room AMI
NOOK the hand of each member, after
which Photograph of the COMMITTEES
Vas taken on the portico of the White
jotse, with the President and Senator
~ lama IN the centre. Secretary Heath
ia not accompany the committee to the
The call at the White House concluded
me business OF the committee for the
0DELL HERE: PLATT COMING.