New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-20
PLANS FOR THE CAMPAIGN
Secretary DoUer Tells of Preliminary
WOrk-Conference zcith President.
TFRoM THE TRIBUNE B1TREArT.I

Washington, May 19-Elmer Dover. secretary
OF the Republican National Committee. started
for New-York this evening to attend to num-
Der of matters connected with the work Of the
coming campaign and to transact some business
for Mrs Hanna. the widow of the Ohio Senator
One of his errands in the latter class will be the
examination of a number of portraits Of the
Senator which have been offered to the estate
by artists and owners.
There are five paintings of the Senator that
I expect to look at" said Mr. Dover this after
noon. land if they are good likenesses I will
probably buy at least three of them"
Before Mr.. Dover took the train for New-YorlS
he had a conference with President Roosevelt
over campaign details. The President sent word
to Mr.. Dover that he wished to him before
he went to New-York and as he may not have
another talk with him before the convention
meets in Chicago. the consultation was of more
than ordinary Importance.
1.-The committee will open it's headquarters in
Chicago on June L." said Mr.. Dover after his
talk with the President Il will be in New-York
most Of the intervening time. Everything is look
ing just as promising as one could ask. Just at
present we are working along preliminary
details-things that be done without waiting
for the direction of the chairman For instance.
there is the matter of speakers. Last campaign
there were something like 1900 scattered over
the United States We are now trying to find
out where these men can be found If they are
wanted OF that number perhaps fifty have
died Then there will be a certain number that
have become incapacitated for campaign work.
and in addition to that proportion. there will be
some who have perhaps changed their politics
since last campaign because they were not ap-
pointed Minister to Dahomey some other
post they believed they should have received for
good work done In 1896 or 1900 We also
getting up our list Of newspapers for the cam
paign. and are opening correspondence with the
many hundreds OF county committee chairmen.
You may imagine that these details are enough
10 keep US busy.
"The matter OF the headquarters OF the COM
mittee will be left 10 the chairman for de-
cision II the plan pursued in 1896 and 1900 is
followed this year. Immediately after the con-
vention last campaign the national committee
passed resolution comforting on Chairman
Hanna all the powers that the convention had
given the committee itself The Senator was
empowered to name the entire executive COM
mittee to fill vacancies in the national COM
mittee. to select quarters. and. I'm fact control
the destinies OF the campign in the most abso-
lutte manner The Senator used to say that he
did rot have a vote in the committee, but
thought that he had some influence over one or
two members. He did not want vote IN the
committee, and invariably refused to accept a
proxy when asked TO do
The committee will have quarters at the Au-
ditoriurn this year. as il had in 1900 Perhaps
We'll have money enough to pay the rental or
those offices but at present IL looks doubtful.
Chairman CortelyOu will have to decide where
the New-York quarters will be located. 1 have
no idea where they will he. No suggestions, so
far as I know have vet been made to the COM
ruittee TO determine that question. I hardly
think that there is any likelihood OF a third
office being established out on the Pacific Coast,
as has been suggested in certain quarters. l
think that two Offices will meet the require
ments OF the campign. Chicago ought TO be
far enough West to give the men in charge
there an opportunity 10 take care Of the coast
country. However, that is another matter FOR
the chairman 10 determine. If Mr.. Cortelyou
wishes to establish office on the slope. he
Will probably do So"
With one exception. the speakers who are 10
second the nomination OF President Roosevelt In
the convention have not been chosen. but they
probably will bs within week ten days.
Four seconding speeches will probably be deliv-
cred The exception noted is Harry Stillwell
Edwards. OF Macon, Ca, a we'll known writer.