The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-06-18
EARLY ARRIVALS.
Delegates to the National Re-
publican Convention
Are Beginning to Gather I'm Chi
cagO for Great Event.
NO AXES TO GRIND.
Nobody Seems to Care Who Gets
Second Place.
Nothing New Is Being Suggest
ed for the Platform.
Fewer Visitors Than at Any
Convention in Recent Years.

Chicago, June 1S-Twenty members
of the California delegation to the Re
publican national convention together
with the Philippine and Hawaiian dele
cations arrived today. ]. w. Mckinley,
of Los Angeles, will be chairman of the
California delegation and he announced
that mis- state had no especial preference
for vice president, but understood that
it would go to Senator Fairbanks if he
wanted it. When told of the attitude
that the senator had decided to main
tain in regard to the position he de-
clared that he would not be able to say
positively just what California would
do, but that in any event he did not
look for a contest of any account over
the position.
In the opinion of Mr.. Mckinley the
man for the position would be prac-
tically agreed upon before the time
came for his nomination and not more
than one ballot would be necessary TO
nominate whoever he might be-
The Philippine delegates were JUDI
liant when told that there was an excel
lent chance of their being seated as
delegates. They were strongly of the
opinion that they had as good right on
the floor of the convention as had the
men from Hawaii and were decidedly
pleased when informed that the nation
al committee held the same view.
George r. Carter, chairman OF the
delegation from Hawaii, said:
There are some things that the
people of the Hawaiian islands would
like to obtain in the way OF special
legislation but they are hardly mat
tiers to bring before a national con-
vention, and I do not think that we
have any special plank to offer for the
platform. 1t looks very much to me
as though the platform would be
about the same as that adopted by
the Philadelphia convention. Condi-
tons have not changed materially in
the last four years, and what applied
then would be good at the present
as far as I can see"
During the day but few delegates
put in appearances and the situation
with one was the situation with all.
All of them were for Roosevelt, none
of them knew exactly whom he want
ed-for vice president, and nobody had
new plank for the platform. 1t was
expected that headquarters would be
opened today at the Stratford hotel by
Congressman Hit of Illinois, who is
a candidate for vice president. Owing,
however, to the fact that Mr.. Hit is
i'll in Washington, it was decided by
his friends to run his campaign from
the headquarters of the Illinois dele
cation and the plan for an independ-
ent gathering place for Mr.. Hit
friends was abandoned. The fight
over the Craftsmanship of the Illinois
delegation was growing warm today,
and probably will reach the climax
Monday. The friends of Governor
Yates claim that he has a, clear work.
ing majority of IA votes and that he
will without question defeat Senator
CullOm for the Craftsmanship.
A few members of the Iowa delega-
| ton put in an appearance during the
day. The prominent men of their state
will not be here before Monday when
Senator Allison and Governor Cum
mings are expected. It is not expect
ed that the great number of delegates
will be here before Monday morning
| The majority of the rooms at the no.
tells have been engaged with this I'M
derstanding. The number of visitors
who have come in advance of the con-
vention proper is smaller than at any
national convention for a long time.
The hotelkeepers ascribe this condition
to the settled condition of the conven-
ton programme which promises excite
ment only in the matter of the choice
of a vice president and not a great deal
of it in that direction.
The finishing touches were put on the
convention hall today and it is now in
all respects ready for the convention
There is less adornment in the hall
than has been seen at any Republican
| convention for the last 16 years at
least, but the colors of the hall itself
are bright and being tastefuIly relieved
with bunting and grouped flags, the eff
| feet is excellent.