Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-06
At THE WHITE HOUSE
A Conference With Illinois
Pol ticians.
ROOSEVELT DELEGATES
WILL BE SENT TO THE NATIONAL
CONVENTION.
Objections to the Constitutionality Of
the District Snow and Ice Law
Pardon Cases Acted On.

An important political conference was
participated in at the White House this
morning by the President, Senators Gull
lom and Hopkins, Representative Billy
Lorimer and T. n. Jamison, the recognized
lieutenant In Illinois politics Of Mr. Lori
| mer. 1t has been something of an open Sc
| cret In Illinois for several months that what
| is known as the "machins there has been
sore on" the President, not because OF
general antipathy to him, but merely be-
cause he had not followed the recon-
mendations of the machine in every in
stance. and even in the majority of In
stances. The machine" had not officially
promulgated it's i'll feeling however Much
like the Tammany tiger, 1t had been sulk-
ing and conveying it's threats in indirect
fashion. ali Of which created no uneasy
| disturbance in the mind Of the President.
BILLY" Lorimer. the recognized head OF
the Illinois machine. which is sometimes
referred to as the Yates -Lorimer Hopkins
combination, has not been to the White
House in months. AS the supposed custo-
dian of the republican vote OF Chicago. and
| beyond doubt the apiest political general
in that city, his failure To keep on good
! terms at the White House has been gem
orally commented upon as species of hos
t;iity to the President.
Senator Hopkins the reputed third mems
ber of the combination. has not been 50
thoughtless in his attitude to the President
and has been a frequent visitor at the eX-
ecutive offices, coming and going but having
little to say. Some days ago the President
sent to the Senate the nomination of Lu-
man Hoy to be appraiser of merchan-
disc at Chicago. MIR. Hoy's appointment,
sought by Senator Hopkins for another
position, refused some time ago, but
the President kept Mr. Hoy's name before
him and gave the latter another place This
appointment was pleasing to Senator Hop
kins and to his followers.
Senator Hopkins Efforts.
During the last two weeks Senator Hop
kins has made number of visits to the
Presidents Office and they have talked
at considerable length on different occa-
sions. There has been little doubt that these
talks were in reference TO Illinois politi-
cal conditions, and there has also been little
doubt that Senator Hopkins has adroitly
been arranging to have the organiza ton get
into the line of Roosevelt marchers. His
arrangements were evidently contaminated
this morning and the suppOsitfon In re-
garded as a sure thing that Lorimer told
the President that the republicans of Chit
cago would be for him. Senator CulIom
has always expressed the opinion privately
and publicly, that the President would have
the Illinois delegation. but the addition OF
such power Lorimer to the Roosevelt
ranks, with the acquiescence of HOPKINS
and all the machine people apparently re-
lieves the Illinois situation of any more un-
certainty so far the Roosevelt managers
are concerned That state will now be
solidly for Roosevelt
Representative Lorimer said he could not
AFFORD to say thing in the world about
the conference. He just couldn't do ID un.
der any circumstances. Senator Culloms
voca buary, so far as Illinois politics went,
was frozen, too. Senator Hopkins was
commune ative. but they all looked If
the confer renee had passed off to their salts
faction.
There have Seen conferences in Washing
ton outside of the White House respect.
ing Illinois. Martin B. Madden one of the
Oldest or the machine men in Illinois, and
others, who form a connecting link in he
orga nization, are in Washington.
The Illinois organization is having a
world OF trouble about its candidate for
governor. Gov. Yates wants to succeed
himself, but great hostility has developed
to this, and other candidates are showing
unexpected strength. A new candidate has
appeared in the field, and Is said to be
making a showing. He Is Frank o. Low
den. but the machine is declared to be back
of him, the game being TO secure as many
delegates as possible for various candlda
and then throw these delegates as des ed
when the nominating convention is held.
Pardon After Long Imprisonment.
Senator AIger today obtained the assent
of the President to the pardon of William
]. Meadows. who has served nineteen years
in the Detroit house of correction. Meadows
when a boy sixteen years old, was convicted
of murder i'll Arkansas. The principal in
the murder case was convicted at the same
time. The sentences of both were commut-
ed to Imprisonment for life. A number Of
years ago President Cleveland pardoned the
principal in the crime but Meadows was
forgotten. and has continued to serve. The
prosecuting and trial authorities have de-
clared that Meadows deserved clemency.
The President signed the pardon today
Against Snow and Ice Bill.
Considerable hostility of an influential
character to the snow and ice bill just pa S.
ed by Congress has developed and made
itself felt at the White House. The Presi-
dent has been informed that the punish
ment prescribed is entirely too severe for
the violation of law. The belief has further
been advanced that the law is unconstitu-
tional, especially in the features relating to
punishment of owners of vacant property.
even when they are out of the city and not
aware that snow or sleet cover the side
walks in front of their property The Presi-
dent has been asked to refer the bill to the
Attorney General for an opinion as to its
constitutionality and this will probably bs
done. The bill has not yet been received at
the White House, and when 1t arrives there
will in regular process go to the Department
of Justice for examination before being re-
turned to the President.
Distinguished Iowa Editor.
Iafe Young one of the most distinguished
of the Iowa editors, was with the President
some time today, having conference as to
nolities and politicians. The President has
great respect for Mr.. Young and his poift-
zeal views Leaving the White House, Mr..
Young said: Iowa is enthusiastic for
Roosevelt So is the entire west. The
delegation from the state will ,e wholly
for him, and Iowa will give him 100, 600
majority this fall against any man who can
be nominated by the democrats. No demo-
crat can be nominated who will secure all
the democratic votes in the state No, We
are not much worried these days by the
democrats of Iowa. The chief use they are
put to out there Is to be voted in repub-
ican primaries"
Senator Platt Of New York had short
talk with the President. and Senator Platt
of Connecticut presented some friends.
Representative Lacey of Iowa presented
Maj Joseph Beeson and J. Frank Kerfoot
of Iowa. Senator Smoot presented some
friends So did Representative 6lemp OF
Virginia. Representatives William Alden