The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-06-21
But is Fairbanks Really
FooIing Anybody?
THE VICE-PRESIDENCY
This and the Gathering Wrath of the
Unseated Lily White Delegation
From Louisiana Are About
the Only Things of In
tereSt There.
(By the Associated Press.)


Chicago, June 20.-With the time
occupied in caucuses of State delega-
ton, which, with a few exceptions
were mere ratification meetings held
to approve State convention programs,
the day preceding the opening of the
Republican National convention has
been the quietest ever known as the
forerunner of similar gatherings.
Senators and Representative in Con-
greSS were as thick on the streets and
in the hotel lobbies as they are in the
National capital when a particularly
uneventful or dry debateis in progress
in Congress. Figures prominent in
the political strife of former National
conventions We're everywhere. They
mingled with delegates and others not
on the inside, talking of everything
which promised even momentary in
terest.
When the leaders reached Chicago
few days ago they found nothing for
them to do. The programme for the
convention was mapped out weeks ago
and there was a full realization that
it was unalterable.
The principal diversions were Offer
ed by the caucuses of the Iowa, Illi-
nois and Washington delegations. Gov
ernor CumminS presented to the
Hawkeye 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 reciproc-
ity and reduction of tariff schedules.
IL was rejected by the delegation and
this sounded it's death knell so far as
the present convention was concerned.
In the Illinois caucus the contest
was for the chairmanship on the dele
CATION. Senator Cullom was opposed
by the Governor Yates faction but
won out handily. 1t is conceded that
his defeat would have prevented his
reelection to the Senate.
In the Washington caucus Senator
Ankeny was elected National commit
teeman against the combined opposi-
ton OF former committeeman James
M. Ashton and John S. Mcmillan, both
of whom were candidates for the posi-
ton.
The Indiana Puzzle.
What has been termed the Indi-
ana puzzle" was one of the features
of the day. The members of the dele
CATION from the Hoosier State met
to determine their course in regard to
the boom for Senator Fairbanks for
the presidency. Senator Fair
banks attended the meeting and ad-
dressed the delegates. He talked for
fifteen minutes, the meeting adjourn
ed, and the delegation was no wiser
concerning his wishes, beyond q re-
iteration Of his statement that he cid
not desire his State to present his
name for the icepresidency.
Expressions of genuine regret a.
the absence of faces familiar at SIM
years ago are heard on every side
Men who have played leading roles in
the art Of making tickets and plat
forms, men whose personality, sheWd-
ness or qualifications and persuasive
ness have changed entire States or
sections OF the country are missed in
the hotel lobbies and the varioua
headquarters. Some of these have
figured in Republican conventions for
quarter of a century. Notably the
late Senator Matthew S. Quay, of
Pennsylvania, and the late William
Sewell, Of New Jersey. One whose
absence is felt more perhaps than
that of any other man. is the late
Senator Hanna, though his debut on
the political stage is of more recent
date. Numerous pictures of the late
Senator attest his popularity
They've Chicago Feet.
But the absence of the great men
mentioned does not indicate that the
cast for the play which opens at the
Coliseum tomorrow has been weak
ened In the shoes the men who have
passed away are politicians equally as
astute. who have had their training
as master hands. They may not be
so we'll known in National affairs and
their names not so effective to con-
jure with but they are ready anG
competent to perform any task that
offers. The only difficulty is that the
task is not there. Contests worthy
of the name are utterly lacking. The
fight between the LaFollette anG
"Stalwart" factions in Wisconsin, the
contest between Addicks and the anti,
Addicks faction in Deliware, tho
'lily white" and "the black and tan"
factions of Southern States were dis
posed with so much dispatch tha.
they failed to furnish the gossip nee
essary to an interesting convention
About all that was left to feed the
craving of delegates for excitement
and furnish a topic of cognversation
was the question of how long Senator
Fairbanks inscrutable silence wou,i
continue.
Lily White Getting Red
A vigorous campaign has been in
augurated by the unseated 1ily-white"
delegation from Louisiana to have the
committee on credentials of the con-
vention reverse the action Of the ma
uonal committee. Ex-Governor War
this campaign, and an elaborate brief
Continued on Page Two)