The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1904-06-23

OF plank setting forth the Idea" a. q
declaration for reciprocity and reduc-
ton Of tariiT schedules II was rejected
by the delegation, and this sounded Its
death knell so far as the present con-
vention is concerned.
In the Washington caucus Senator
Ankeny was elected national commit
teeman against the combined opposi-
ton OF former Committeeman James VI
Ashton and ]. s. Mcmillan, both OF
whom were candidates for the position
What has been popularity termed
the Indiana puzzle" was one of the
features OF the day. The members Of
the delegation from the Hoosier State
r1et to determine their course in re-
gard to the boom for Senator Fairbanks
for the vice presidency. Senator Fair
tanks attended the meeting and ad-
dressed the delegates. He talked for
fifteen minutes, the meeting adjourned
and the delegation was no wiser con-
cerning his wishes, beyond a re.tera-
tion of his statement that he did not
desire his State to present his name for
the vice presidency.
Expressions of genuine regret at the
absence OF faces familiar at similar
gathering, four, eight and twelve years
ago, are heard on every side. Men who
have played leading roles on the art Of
making tickets and platforms, men
whose personality, shrewdness or
qualifications of persuasiveness have
changed entire States or sections of
the country, are missed in the hotel
lobbies and the various headquarters.
Some of these have figured in Republi-
tury, notably the late Senator Matthew
S. Quay, of Pennsylvania, and the late
William J. Sewell of New Jersey. One
whose absence is felt more perhaps
than that of any other, 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.
But the absence of the great men
mentioned does not indicate that the
cast for the play which opens at the
Coliseum has been weakened. In the
shoes of 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 cOnjure with, but
they are ready and competent to per-
form any task that offers The only diff
ficulty is that the task is not there.
Contests worthy of the name are ut
terIy lacking. The fight between the Ad-
LaFollette and "stalwart" factions in
Wisconsin, the contest between the Ad-
dicks and the anti-Addicks men in Del
aware; the lilly white and the "black-
and tan" faction Of Southern States
we're disposed Of with so much dispatch
that they failed to furnish the gossip
necessary to an interesting cOnven-
ton.
About ali that was left to feed the
craving of delegates for excitement and
furnish a topic OF conversation was the
question of how long Senator Fair
banks unscrutable silence would con-
tinue.
Emphatic for Protection.
Chicago, Special.-The men who
are to examine the platform, which
has been in possession of Senator
Lodge for several days, have been
selected by the various State dele
cations, and there is practically no
doubt that the declaration for protec-
iton will be emphatic, and that there
| will be but little comfort for the tar
| if revisionists
A pledge to make changes in sched-
| ules when such changes are necessary
is the only concession that will be
made by the stand patters." Posi-
| bly, the wording may be changed and
those who have been talking revision
will secure of the use of the word
| revised" to express the idea that is
to be conveyed, but even this is con.
sidered doubtful. The majority are
against having anything like a gen
eral revision of the tariff suggested
and will contend for the words
changes in tariff schedules as ample
to cover all that is intended by the
Republican party.