Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-29
Gen. Miles Letter Proves a
Bomb Among Supporters.
NEW FEATURES TODAY
CHAIRMAN STEWART CRITICISED
FOR HIS STRONG OPPOSITION.
Very Little Talk About Any Other
-,- Candidate-Majority of Dele
gates for Miles.
Special, Dispn tch to The Evening Star.

Special Dispn tch to The Evening Star.
INDIANAPOLIS. Ind June pa po-
litical rluddle, almost indescribable owing
TO its numerous phases and complications.
Is presented In the prohibition presidential
situation.
The distribution of copies of letter writ
ten June 20 by Gen. Nelson A. Miles to
John G. Woolley of Chicago. declining to re-
enter public life by becoming the presiden-
tial nominee of the party, was a bomb in
the ranks of the Miles supporters. For a
time there was rush on the part of the
uninstructed delegates to desert Miles band
wagon, toward which they had been strong
ly leaning, and to get into the opposition
camp. The Miles leaders experienced PAN
icky feelings.
To counteract the effects OF the Miles
letter, John G. Woolley. to whom 1t had
been written, quickly called meeting Of
Miles leaders at the Imperial Hotel and
soon afterward issued statement declar-
Ing that the letter was not capable OF the
construction of declining the nomination
and that Gen. Miles would accept hearty
and enthusiastic nomination on a states
manliks and comprehensive prohibition
PLATFORM
That PORTION of the Miles letter to which
the anti-MieS crowd are attaching great
Importance and which they say will prevent
the generals nomination by the convention
reads as follows:
THE domination at Indianapolis on the
10Th instant. although an added and great
ly valued token of approval and confidence,
would not in my Judgment afford that OPP
portunity for efficient and important public
service which would be the chief motive OF
my resuming official Nicholson A. Miles. y
Interesting Situation.
The distribution of the letter and the
issuing of Woolley's statement added new
features to the already highly interesting
situation and made the Claypool and the
Imperial hotels the headquarters of anti
Miles and Miles crowds. respectively, hot
beds of wrangling and discussion.
Crowds stand on the street in front OF
the Claypool and in the lobby listening
to the pro and con arguments of extern
pore orators. The Miles candidacy was
the sole topic of discussion. Chairman
Stewart was generally commended for the
firm stand he had taken against the Miles
candidacy. and the Miles boomers were
criticised for bringing forward a candi-
date, it was generally thought, who would
not accept the nomination.
When the Miles supporters presented
their side Of the question lively discussions
followed. One prohibitionlst with a flowing
beard and dress that bespoke the clergy
secured the attention of the contending
factions and created an impression by
saying: Brothers. instead of taking the
ak to one another. why don't you get to-
One trouble with all our party conven-
tions Is that we fight among ourselves too
much"
Chairman Stewart Criticised
Chairman Stewart was the object of se-
we're criticism during the day. When copies
of the miles letter appeared he was
openly accused of being behind it. Pic
lures of General Miles were scattered
throughout the hotel and on every hand
were heard expressions of miles anyhow"
with decara tons that he would be nomi-
man Stewart and other national leaders.
Hundreds of delegates arrived during the
day. and the presidential situation was on
every tongue. Some came enthusiastic for
the warrior candidate. wearing Miles pins
and carrying Miles banners. but many of
them quickly changed their stand after
circulating for awhile with the s.nti-Miles
crowd In the Claypool Hobbies.
1t was conservatively estimated that three
fourths of the delegates who came In dur
ing the day had left home enthusiastic
Miles supporters The convincing argument
OF the anti-Miles men that the general had
not declared himself to be a prohibitionist
or committed himself to accept the nomi-
nation won many of them over.
-, "For Him, if He is for U.s."
I'VE are for him. If he is for u.s. was the
sentiment expressed on all sides. The
round robin in opposition to Gen. Miles de-
cded upon at a meeting with Chairman
Stewart. came out and was distributed
broadcast to delegates. Until the Miles
letter and DR.. Woolleys statement APP
peared II much in evidence. In the
excitement of the afternoon and evening
II was almost forgotten.
81 all-absorbing the Miles candidacy
during the day that the booms of other
candidates were hardly mentioned. Very
little was heard as to the selection of a
candidate for Vice President Nearly all
the candidates mentioned thus far for
President arrived in the city but so in
dustrious were they in fighting the Miles
boom that they seemingly paid little at
tention to their own interests.
Another Candidate.
1t generally agreed that in case the
name of Gen. Miles is not presented to the
convention. DR.. S. c. Swallow of Penn
sylvania Will be one of the most for
midable candidates for the nomination. He
was a prohibition candidate for governor
OF Pennsylvania years ago and polled more
than 2OOO votes. AT the national con-
vention in Chicago in 1000 he was defeated
for the presidential nomination by a small
margin by John G. Wooley. The booms
of A. G. Wolfenburger of Lincoln, Neb.
James A. Tate of Hartman. Tenn, and
Alfred G.. Manierre OF New York seemed to
take on strength after the onsaughts on
Gen. Miles candidacy.