The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-06-24

Chicago, June 22-Because Speaker
Joseph G. cannon was the central fig
ure, the proceedings of the Republican
national convention today took on
pictureSqueness and demonstrativeness
which yesterday was looked for in vain.
From the moment he was escorted to
the platform to WELD the gavel as the
permanent chairman, the entire atmos-
phere of the convention was changed.
The enthusiasm which had lain dor
mant burst and the applause was
thorough and hearty. He made
speech and the audience cheered wheth-
er he spoke joculariy or in serious vein.
He was the entertainer; in fact he was
the convention.
From the standpoint of political in
terest, the adoption of the party plat
form was the event of the day. 1t con-
tanned declarations of party policy for
the coming campaign. But the perma-
nent chairmans personality almost
overshadowed the platform.
The second day of the convention
might have been the close, had it been
the desire Of the assembled delegates.
Early in the day a movement was in
augurated to proceed with the nomf-
nations. but the original programme
which was prepared to extend over
three days prevailed, and the standard
bearers for the 1904 Republican cam
paign will be named formally tomor-
row.
Enthusiasm Greets "Uncle joe
Cannon.
Live party enthusiasm aroused by the
hearty reception given Uncle Joe"
Cannon, as he is known from coast to
coast, spread even to routine business
and eliminated in a contest over the
number Of delegates to which Haw-
ali was entitled. The conflict was the
first and will doubtless be the last on
the floor of the convention.
The report of the committee on ere
dentials interested the convention only
SO far as it dealt with the Wisconsin
situation. Senator MSComas, of Mary
land, chairman of the committee, read
a report of the investigation of the
contest. He took the delegates into
the confidence of the committee and
explained in detail that thorough
canvas was made into the merits of the
contest, despite the fact that the con-
testantS had withdrawn their claims.
on the ground that fair treatment could
not be had. He said the imputation
was directed at the convention itself
and though resented deeply by the COM
mittee, the enquiry was exhaustive and
patient. The report closed with dec
laration that the ''stalwart" faction
lead by Senators Spooner and Quarles,
Representative Babcock and Judge
ah 1nln Of
large, is the regular Republican party
in Wisconsin. This national endorse
ment of the faction headed by the two
United States Senators from that state
evoked prolonged applause.
One of the remarkable features con-
cerning the adoption of the platform
was the fact that it has been the sub
ject Of administrative scrutiny and ma
tional interest for many weeks and it
was accepted without a dissenting g
voice.
In addition to the tariff plank and
other resolutions which always have
had a prominent position in Republi-
, can platforms. there were Incorporated
several clauses of striking interest.
For Reduction of Southern Repre-
scntatiOn.
One of these is a plank looking to a
reduction of the representatives of GER
tain southern States in the electoral
college and in Congress. It Is built
upon what is known as the Payne res
olution, offered eight years ago and the
Quay resolution Of four years ago. but
goes further than either. The plank
directs On investigation to ascertain
whether there have been unconstitu-
tiona, acknowledgements Of voters in
any state, and if so, demands redu"-
ton Of the representation of such states
in Congress. with the consequent re-
duction in the electoral college and
in national conventions. The full sig
nfficance of pledges for the continuance
Of the provisions of Chinese exclusion
act and for the furtherance OF all leeit-
innate efforts to obtain American cii-