The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-12-27
State Gathering Probably Will
Be Fixed at Earliest
Date.
MISSOURI MAY BE FIRST.
Politicians Wish to Have This
State Take Initiative in Sc
curing Roosevelt Dele
CATION.

To have Missouri the initial State to de-
clare for the nomination of Theodore
Roosevelt for President of the United
States is the ambition of his friends in
this part of the country. In order to &C.
complish this result, perhaps the earliest
convention ever held in the history of
Missouri Republicanism will be held.
State Chairman Thomas ]. Atkins re-
turned yesterday morning from his home
in Humansville. where he has been ar
ranging his private affairs so that he
could remove to st. Louis permanently
He will assume charge OF the United
States Subtreasury January 9, and has
practically completed all of the prelim-
mary arrangements. His bond was fin
ished yesterday and forwarded to Wash
ington.
While Mr.. Adkins did not care to give
out any statement regarding the prob
able action of the Republican State Com
mlttee. 1t Is no secret that it will be
called together about the middle of jan
uary, When the date for the convention TO
select delegates to the National Conven-
ton in Chicago will be fixed. Dates for
the other nominating conventions will not
be fixed until later.
Inere are potent reasons for the ankle
ty of the Missouri Republicans to be the
hrst TO show their preference for Roose-
yelt. There is probably no State where
Mr.; Roosevelt is stronger with the people
that the present organization has been
built up. When the Kerens followers were
suiking in their attitude toward the Pres
ident, the friends of the present State
chairman were up and doing.
Mr.. Roosevelt is not averse to an early
MISSOURI convention. In fact, it may be
stated on reliable authority, that he wishes
their delegates for him as soon as posi-
BILE. Missouri politicians think that they
can show their appreciation for past
alacrity in satisfying the desires of the
President If they can be quick enough to
be ahead of every other State, they can
see without any stretch of the imagination
a long vista of political preferment in case
Mr.. Roosevelt Is reelected. p,
So far there have been no signs of a
Hanna or anti-Roosevelt movement in
this State. outside of sporadic eruptions
Ing. MIR. Kerens has not seemed to care
much about Missouri Republicans since
the last campaign, and Roosevelt oppo-
sition must come from him and his
friends.
Another argument set forth by the ai-
voeates of an early convention is that it
VIII leave the party free to discuss State
issues, aside from national questions.
when the State Nominating Convention
meets. With the Roosevelt fight once set
tied, there can then be an old-fashioned
scramble Tor control OF the State organiza-
ton and Federal patronage.
FL P. Kinsolving of Maiden. Walter E.
Goodrich of Kansas City and A. P. Muir
ply of Pulaski County, the latter attorney
for the Creek Nation, in Muscogee, were
at Republican headquarters yesterday in
conference with Mr.. Atkins.
Mr.. Murphy was one of the strongest
supporters of the present State chairman
in the last convention and received his
present Job as testimonial of regard. He
Is one of the few men connected with In
dian affairs who have come through with
out anything sticking to their records