Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-06-20
Has Interest in RepubIi-
can National Convention :
Large Gathering Of the Clans
at Chicago.
Theodore Roosevelt Will Be Renonni-
mated Without Opposition But There
Is Likely to Be Lively Contest for
the Vice Presidency.

Chicago, June 19.-The Vice President
and the tariff plank in the platform
were the principal subjects of discus
sion among the delegates to the Re
publican national convention, today,
and this evening. The state delegations
vii! meet, tomorrow, to organize and
select members of the various commit
tees and it is expected that declaration
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 sufff-
Gent number of leaders have declared
for him and announced the probable
support of their delegations for him
to indicate his selection. The Indiana
senator remains non-committal as us
ual, his position being that the nomina-
ton can neither be sought nor refused !.
The knowledge that the senator will
not refuse has been communicated to
the delegates and has largely in
creased the prospects of his nominal
ton.
The movement, today, for Repre-
sentative Hit seems to have been pre-
cipitated to some extent by those who
felt that Fairbanks should make a
declaration. Then again the Illinois
men feel that in view Of the action of
their state convention that they must
make an earnest effort for Mr.. Hit.
1t is fact, however, that the illness
of Mr.. Hit at Washington has damp
ened the ardor of his supporters who
acknowledge that this will work to his
disadvantage.
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 are found who do not hesi-
tate to privately express some disap-
pointment that more experienced
politician were chosen
There is SO far an absence of the
crowd that are usually on hand at this
period before a convention. Many clubs
and throngs of enthusiasts are ex-
pected to arrive tomorrow, and be on
hand when the convention convenes,
Tuesday.
1T is not true" said Senator CALM
ger of New Hampshire, speaking of
the Vice Presidency. that all New
England is for Mr.. Hit. On the con-
tary. think the sentiment in the East
ern states for him is confined to Massa-
chusetts. 1 know that New Hampshire
is for Fairbanks and I'm very confident
that he will be nominated"
Delegates from Iowa, Missouri, Ken
lucky and Kansas, expressed them
selves favorable to Mr.. Fairbanks. In
view of the determined effort to secure
a statement from Mr.. Fairbanks Col.
Dan Ransdell, Sergeant-at-arms OF the
Senate. who is a close personal friend
OF the senator found it necessary to re-
peat his former statement of the soma
tors position.
Senator Fairbanks will not open his
mouth on the subject" he said. "for he
is not a candidate for the nomination
in the ordinary sense Of the word. But
while he is not candidate, he will ac-
cept the nomination if it is rendered
him"
Mr.. Hits friends attribute New
York's advocacy of Speaker Cannon for
the Vice Presidency, to the desire on
the part Of the members Of that dele
cation to make vacancy in the speak
ership in the interest of Representative
Sherman for that position.
Senator Lodge of Massachusetts, ar
rived with a draft of the platform in
his pocket. He has been notified that
he will be recognized to move the APP
pOintment Of the committee on resolu-
lions and this means his selection as
chairman Of the committee. All inter-
ests in the platform centers in the tar
iff plank and the sentiment is that
there will be straight declaration for
protection without promise for future
tariff revision or reciprocity. 1t is also
understood that such course will suit
the President.
Senators Gallinger and Burnham Of
New Hampshire and Dillingham; Of
Vermont, all declared for the policy OF
with the present tar
if, but Mr.. Dillingham; adds that he
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