Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-06
LOOKING FOR A SIGN
SENATOR FAIRBANKS AND WHAT
HE WILL DO.
Question as to Whether He Will Be-
come Candidate for Vice
President at Chicago.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, June Ex-senator
Fairbanks is being deluged with letters
from all over the country on the vice presi-
Dental question. The writer's, realizing
that the national republican convention is
close at hand, are seeking for a sign which
the senior Indiana senator declines to give.
Mr. Fairbanks reticence Is the talk of re-
publican political circles in Indiana. Sew
eral members Of the Indiana delegation,
Governor Durbin, who is a delegate at
large, among the number, have openly ex-
pressed themselves to the effect that Mr..
Fairbanks owes 1t to the members Of the
old guard who have stood by him in so
many campaigns to let them know his mind
on the vice presidency in advance of the
national convention. The senator's sense
Of modesty is very delicate, and he has
never yet committed himself even to his
closest friends.
Representative Hemenway, chairman of
the appropria tons committee, who wants
to succeed Mr.. Fairbanks in the Senate,
was here two days this week, but he left
without scintilla of information as to
Senator Fairbanks attitude, although they
had several conferences. Owing to Mr..
Hemenway's very close relations with the
senator. 1t would be the height of impro-
priety for him to seek the senatorial toga
before 1t is known that there is to be
vacancy, and his forces have been in
structed to halt until after the national
convention. Governor Durbin, however, is
not standing back on account of such fine
points of political etiquette, but is busy
as a bee nominating members of the state
legislature who will vote for him for SEN
ator. He already has secured very
formidable nucleus of support. Representa-
tive Charles B. Lands announces that he
will be candidate for the Senate in case
thnr In Qy1ay hr,f hot he will rant
turn a wheel until Mr.. Fairbanks volun-
tarily relnquishes his toga. Representa-
tive Crumpacker has senatorial ambitions.
but he has not made up his mind as to
whether he will be candidate in the event
Of an opening.
Turn Of Political Straws.
Although Senator Fairbanks is mum as a
sphinx, there are numerous political straws
which indicate that he will accept the sec
ond place on the ticket If 1t comes to him
as free will offering Of the party. Special
newspaper and magazine writers from va
rfous parts of the country have been here
during the last few days, fortifying them
selves with information of a personal char
acter about the senator, to be used in an
ticipation of his nomination for Vice Presi-
dent. The senator and his clerks have freely
supplied such information. The politicians
think they have discovered another Straw
in the fact that the senator took a stand in
favor of an early meeting of the Indiana
delegation at Chicago. This may or may
not be significant, but 1t is expected that
the senator will have some message of i'm
portance to communicate to the delegation
at Chicago In advance of the convention.
1t is understood here that If Senator Fair
banks decides to yield to the pressure for
his nomination the speech presenting his
name will be made by Senator Beveridge
1t Is also understood that Mr. Beveridge
will be asked to second the nomination of
President Roosevelt He could hardly fill
both roles, and the probability is that his
only speech will be one nominating Mr..
the race.
The time of meeting Of the Indiana dele
cation has been fixed for 10 o'clock Mon
day morning, June 20, at the Auditorium
Hotel. The chairman and spokesman of the
delegation has not yet been selected but IL
the indication at that time Is that Mr.
Fairbanks name will go before the conven-
ton 1t Is likely that Senator Beveridge will
De elected chairman, SO that in making his
speech he may appear at the head of the
delegation. The Indiana contingent has de-
clded not to run a special train to Chicago
This Is out of Difference to Senator Fair
banks, who does not wish 1t to appear that
any effort is being made to work up senti-
ment In his behalf. A halt has also been
called on arrangements to spring Fair
banks buttons and pictures on the conven-
ton.
Representative Overstreet chairman of
the national congressional committee, who
is one Of Senator Fairbanks close friends.
said:
There is no doubt in my mind that Sena
tor Fairbanks will be nominated for Vice
President. and that he will feel it his duty
to accept. The sentiment in his favor is
simply overwhelming"
similar views are expressed by Capt
Harry New, national committeeman for In
diana. 80
Senator Fairbanks affairs are so arranged
that in the event of his nomination for
vice President he will be able to make a
tour of the country.