The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1904-07-01

Chicago, June 22.-Without disturb
ing element to impede smooth opera
ton, the first days program for the
carried out like clockwork. Not a
sound was heard. not a false
step taken. It was an assembly Of
non-combative delegates which car
ried into effect, without the thunderous
demonstration usually attendant upon
political conventions, a purpose that
had been clearly defined.
An organization was perfected pre-
paratory to the adoption of a platform
and the making of nominations on the
days of the convention.
From the enthusiasm provoked by
Senator Fairbanks arrival at the Coli
scum, his nomination for vice presi-
dent is little less assured than the
nomination of Theodore Roosevelt for
president.
Keynote Of the Campaign.
The keynote to the campaign of 1904
was sounded by Elihu Root in his
speech as temporary chairman. His
address was a review of the accom-
plishments of the present administra-
ton and a defense of Republican poll
cies in general. When that had been
delivered and the various working
committees dispatched to their labors
the business Of the first days session
was completed.
Incidents which are destined to live
long after the spasmodic demonstra-
tions have been forgotten are MI.
The temporary chairman spoke of Nc
Kinley's
Administration Of Progress,
his g%entleness Of character and those
qualities SO beloved by the nation, and
in that connection said: And with
Mckinley we remember Hanna" a
hush, almost oppressive, spread over
the 1000 or more persons present. The
speaker had paused expectantly. AS
he started to resume the full force OF
the tie stretched between the two
great political heroes went horne to
the delegates. The applause started,
and in a sympathetic wave was car
ried to every part Of the hall. The
demonstration was unlike any that had
definable dignity was attached to the
demonstration that seemed foreign to
a political gathering.
Makes First Speech.
Tho FIRST speech Ut the convention
was by Senator Scott. who informally
presented to Chairman Payne a beau
tiful gavel. 1t was the gift Of the Chi
cago citizens committee. which CO
operated with the national subcom-
mittee in making arrangements for the
convention. Later Graeme Stewart,
present member of the national com.
mittee from Illinois. on behalf of the
Chicago committees, presented q SINH
lar gavel to Temporary Chairman
Root.
It was left to Gov. Van SAINT of Min
first to place the presidents
name before the convention. He found
the occasion in presenting to the con-
vention a table which had been built
by the manual training school con-
with the South Minneapolis
high school. The
Applause Was General,
but not long continued, and in that set
a precedent that was followed in sue
ceeding demonstrations.
Yesterdays program of the conven-
ton was not Of a nature to attract
more than ordinary interest. The af-
fair of greatest Importance was the
DrnCnr<inr RI tho oOrvnrti0~ ~ thu
proposal. to admit the delegations from
the Philippines and Porto Rico. Mr..
Root asked for a ruling on the ques-
ton Of calling the names Of the new
possessions in the roll for naming of
members Of the various committees.
The convention ordered the seating
and recognition of six delegates from
two delegates from Porto Rico.
La Toilette Makes No Contest.
The La Toilette faction of the Wis
consin Republicans declined to make
q contest before the credentials COM
mittee yesterday afternoon, declaring
that 1t refused to do SO on the ground
that the committee on credentials was
not an u~nprejudiced body. and making
the fat statement that they under
stood some members of the committee
had been approached" What the ma
ture of the approach" might be or by
whom made the La Toilette people de-
clined to state. They entered no par
ticulars, simply making the broad and
general charge of an approach" and