Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1904-06-17
National Republican
Convention at
Chicago
The st Louis Democratic
MixUp Will Be a More
Interesting Event
by Fair

III
tie or nothing in evidence about the
streets and public places of Chicago
today that would indicate tnat the
Republican national convention is but
four days off Few visitors have ar.
rived as yet and practically none of
the delegates has put in an appear
ance excepting those party leaders
directly concerned with the arrange.
ments for the gathering. The situa-
tion is in striking contrast to the tur.
moil and confusion that have marked
the eve of all previous political con.
ventions in Chicago.
Viewed in comparison with the con
ventions of former years that of next
week is bound to be a tame affair
The thousands of persons throughout
the country who make it a point to
attend one or the other of the poll
tical conventions every four years
and would as soon think of missing
1t as they would of missing the circus
on its annual visit to their native
heath are likely to be disappointed if
they come to Chicago.
With the ticket agreed on in ad.
vance and little or no difference of
opinion among the party managers as
to the platform of the Republican ma
tional convention this year could not
be expected to be otherwise than a
cut and dried affair. The visitor who
comes from a distance to attend the
convention does so with the expecta,
tion of seeing a wild scramble for the
nomination or a fierce contest over
the resolutions with the oratorical out.
bursts and fervid debates that ac-
company such contests.
The public is well aware that the
proceedings in the Coliseum next
week will be little more than a for.
NAL ratification of the decisions pre-
viously reached by those in present
control Of the destinies of the Repub.
lican party. There will be no bril-. !
liant extempore speeches, or, at least, |
not to the extent that has character.
lied former conventions. The prin. !,
cipal speeches that are to- be delivered |
are already prepared and for the most |
part are known to the party chiefs. 1t ;
is safe to say that with such a mas
ter of epigrams as Ex-Governor Black
OF New York, an orator of the spread.
eagle" variety like Cotton of Duluth,
not to mention a score or more of
gifted speakers among the Republican
members of congress, and all of whom
will be called on to address the con
vention, the gathering can hardly be
lacking in interest. At the same
time 1t is not 70 be denied that a
stirring impromptu speech of the
Gross of god and crown of thorns"
brand appeals more to the galleries
than the studied efforts even of the
most polished speakers. This, it is
felt, is the principal reason why Wis
itors are not fioclping to Chicago in
any great numbers at the present
time.
The St. Louis convention two
weeks hence will undoubte lily be a
bigger drawing card. A tour of the
leading Chicago hotels shows that
they will be well filled during the
coming week, but not overcrowded as
they have been in previouq years.
The delegates and alternates will
make a large crowd in themselves
and the number of newspaper men
present will probably be larger than
ever before. Republican marching
clubs will be on hand, but what will
be lacking will be the rousing dele
cations come from various states TO
boom favorite sons. There are favor.
ite sons this year and the delegations
will stay at home as consequence.
The subcommittee of the Repubn-
can national committee which mas
charge of the arrangements for the
is up to its ears in work.
Among the busy ones seen about
headquarters today were National
New. Of Indiana,
Elmer Dover, Sergeant-at-
Arms Stone, and Charles w. Johnson
Of Minnesota, the general secretary.
At the Coliseum a small army OF car
penters and decorators are working
night and day getting everything in
readiness for the convention. The
structure, in addition 10 having
splendid central location, is admir-
ably adapted for a large gathering.
In the main building ample accom-
nodations will be provided for the