The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-06-21
ULLLuA kLO Az
LITTLE PT
Fairbanks Preserves His
Sphynx-like Attitude.
IOWA IDEA" IS SLAIN
Even Hawkeye Delegation De-
clineS to Endorse 1t.
Contest. Settled with SO Much Des-
patch That They Cause Little
comment-Program VIII
BE Followed.
IOWA IDEA" IS SLAIN

Chicago. June 20.--With the time
occupied in caucuses of State deiega-
ffons. which with q few exceptions
were mere ratification meetings helo
70 approve state convention pro-
grams. the day preceding the opening
of the Republican National Conven-
tfon has been the quietest ever known
as the forerunner of similar gather
ings. Senators and Representatives IN
Congress were as thick on the streets
and in the hotel Hobbies as they are
In the national capital when partic-
ular uneventful or dry debate Is In
progress in Congress. Figures prom
inent in political strife of former ma
.tional conventions were everywhere.
They mingled with delegates and
others not on the inside. talking of
anything which promised even mo-
mentary interest. ---..,.
Have Nothing to DO.
When the leaders reached Chicago
few days ago they found nothing for
them to do. The program for the con-
vention was mapped out weeks ago,
and there was full realization that
IT was unalterahle.
The principal diversions were offer
ed by the caucuses of the Illinois.
Iowa and Washington delegations.
Hawk Eye delegation the Iowa idea"
in an entirely new dress. 1t was in the
form of a plank setting forth the
idea" as a declaration for reciprocity
and reduction of tariff schedules. 1t
was rejected by the delegation and
this sounded its death knell so far as
the present convention is concerned
In the Illinois caucus the contest
was for Craftsmanship of the delega-
a lxr
the Governor Yates faction, Sut won
out handily. 1t is conceded that his
defeat would have prevented his re-
election to the Senate.
~ Amkeney Defeats Opponents.
In the Washington caucus Senator
Ankeney was elected national COM
mitteeman against the combined op-
position of former Committeeman
James Fl. Ashton and ]. s. Mcmillan,
both of whom were candidates for the
position.
What has been popularity termed the
Indiana puzzle" was one of the fea-
lures of the day. The members of the
delegation from Hoosier State met to
determine their course in regard to
the boom for Senator Fairbanks for
the vice presidency. Senator Fair
banks attended the meeting and ad-
dressed the delegates. He talked for
nfteen minutes, the meeting duJourneQ
and the delegation was no wiser con-
corning his wishes. beyond a reitera-
ton of his statement that he did not
desire his State to present his name
for the vice presidency.
Contests Not of Interest.
Contests worthy of the name are ut
terly lacking. The fight between the
La Toilette and stalwart factions in
Wisconsin, the contest between Ad-
dicks and the anti-Addicks faction in
Delaware, the lily white and the black
and tan factions of the Southern States
were disoosed of with so much dis
patch thu they failed to furnish the
gossip necessary to an interesting con-
vention.
About all that was left to feed the
craving of delegates for excitement
and furnish topic of conventions was
the question of how long Senator Fair
banks inscrutable silence would con-
tinue.