The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-06-21
INDIANA Man WILL PROBABLY
BE REPUBLICAN VICE PRES.
lDENTIAL NOMINEE.
SENATOR WILL NOT REFUSE
BUT HE ABSOLUTELY DECLINES
TO MAKE ANY STATEMENT
UPON THE SUBJECT.

Chicago, June 20.-The vice pres1-
dency and the tariff plank in the plat
form are the principal subjects of dis
cussion among the delegates to the
Republican national convention. The
state delegations will meet today to
organize and select members OF the
various committees and it is expected
that declarations will be made on the
vice presidency which will determine
who will be the candidate.
From present appearances Senator
Fairbanks will be the choice. as a suf-
ficient number of leaders have de-
clared for him and announced the
probable support of their delegations
for him to indicate his selectassr. The
Indiana senator was seen for a lew
minutes in the corridors of the Audi
forum Annex and was warmly greeted
by a throng Of men who indicated to
him their desire to see him named for
second place on the ticket. He re-
NAMED noncommital, as usual, his po-
sition being that the nomination can
neither be sought nor refused. The
knowledge that the senator will not
refuse has been communicated to the
delegates and has largely increased
the prospects of his nomination.
The movement for Representative
IIitt seems to have been precipitated
to some extent by those who felt that
Fairbanks should make a declaration.
Must Make an Earnest Effort.
Then again the Illinois men feel that
in view of the action of their state
convention they must make an earnest
| effort for MI. Hit. 1t is a fact, how
ever, that the recent illness of MI.
Hit at Washington has dampened the
ardor of his supporters, who achnowl-
| edge that this will work to his disad-
! vantage.
Two active vice presidential aspir-
ants were about the Auditorium cor
| ridors Sunday evening, John Lee Web
t of Nebraska and John w. Spring
er of Colorado.
Senator Lodge of Massachusetts ar
rived with a draft of the platform 10
his pocket. He has been notified that
he will be recognized to the ap"
pointment OF the committee on reso-
lutions and this means his selection
as chairman of the committee. All in
terest in the platform centers in The
tariff and the sentiment is that there
will be a straight declaration for pro-
lection without promises for future
tariff revision or reciprocity.
Senator Hansbrough has a draft OF
a resolution promising both, but 1t met
with little favor among the Republican
leaders. The North Dakota senator
will be a member of the committee on
resolutions and will urge t. adoption
Of the resolution he has p12"2 -. He
thinks the committee will he2itate be
fore voting down such a resolution
when offered, but he will not go into
the convention with a minority report
when voted down.
Allison on the Tariff Plank.
Senator Allison of Iowa has been
consulted regarding the tariff plank
and has advised against making any
pledges for future action. 1t is also
understood that such a course will
suit the president.
There is no doubt expressed about
the selection of Secretary Cortelyou
for chairman of the national commit
tee, although many men prominent IN
the party privately express some dis
/ dpkOLkllxllCl4L lAAU u "oAS POAA
Itician was not chosen.
There is so far an absence of the
crowds that are usually on hand at
this period before a convention. Al
though many delegations arrived Sun
day they were not accompanied by
clubs and throngs of enthusiasts
These are expected to be on hand
when the convention cOnvenes.
at is not true" said Senator Calm
ger of New Hampshire speaking of the
vice presidency, that all New Eng
land is for Mr.. Hit. On the contrary
l think the sentiment in the Eastern
states for him is confined to Massachu
sets. ! know now that New Hamp
shire is for Fairbanks and l am very
confident that he will be nominated
Delegates from Iowa, Missouri. Ken
lucky and Kansas. expressed them
selves favorably to Mr.. Fairbanks.
In view of the determined effort tt
secure a statement from Mr. Fair
banks, Colonel Daniel Russell, ser
geant-at-arms of the senate, who is {
close personal friend of the senator
found it necessary to repeat his forme'
statement of the senator's position.
Attitude of Senator Fairbanks.
FalrDdukS Will noI Opcl
his mouth on the subject" he said
"for he is not a candidate for the nom1
nation in the ordinary sense OF tn
word. But while he is not a cand1
i date, he will accept the nomination i
rendered him. l know this to be tru'
and l would not say it if l did no
know it."
Mr.. Hits friends attribute New
York's advocacy. of Speaker Cannon
for the vice presidency to be desire
on the part of the members OF tina
delegation to make a vacancy In tn
speakership in the interest of Repre-
; sentative Sherman for that position
! Illinois has decided to make an az
tive, aggressive campaign for Rober
5 R. Hit for vice president. A caucu
was held Sunday in the state heaf
: quarters and a formal plan of campaig