The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-12-05

washington, Dec. Ex-senator Philander
c. Knox was doomed for the presidency
last night at dinner in honor OF the
Pennsylvania delegation in congress.
las 10 the suggestion OF possible higher
service for the future" said the senator
when his turn to speak came, that sug-
gestion must rest upon such foundation as
my public record and the wishes of the
Pennsylvania Republicans supply"
The dinner was held at the New Will
lard hotel and was given by former Con-
gressman Joseph c. Sibley. ostensibly to
the whole Pennsylvania delegation, but it
proved to be love feast OF Knox presi-
Dental boomers.
Even before the guests had finished the
exchange OF greetings preliminary TO be-
ing seated around the banquet board 1t
was evident that the thing uppermost in
the minds OF each was the campaign to
nominate Pennsylvania's junior senator
for the presidency OF the United States.
After the courses had been served Mr..
Sibley voiced the sentiment OF the Penn
sylvanians present by referring briefly TO
the Knox boom and the ambition of their
great state to land the former attorney
general in the White House.
IIe introduced Representative Burke of
Pittsburg who expressed the same senti-
ment and more OF IL.
KNOX WARMLY EULOGIZED.
1t was evident from the first that the
dinner was really Knox affair and that
1T was the real launching OF the Knox
presidential boom that had called the
diners together.
Representative Burke warmly eulogized
the public services OF Senator Knox and
reviewed the important acts in Mr.. Knox's
career
Mr.. Burke referred to the loyalty OF his
native state to Mr.. Knox and character
ized Mr.. Knox as ranking with the great
est statesmen of his day
Mr. Knox. who was received with cheers,
said in part:
Let me venture to predict Mr. Toast
master, that the delegates 10 the next
Republican national convention will ap-
proach and perform their duty OF select
ing the nominee Of the party with the
same wisdom, with an eye single to the
public and party wealth. veal and un-
Influenced by other consideration also
venture to predict, without alludng at all
to the Pennsylvania suggestion. that the
nominee, whoever he may be, and many
good men have been mentioned. will be a
progressive Republican and earnestly de-
sirous of maintaining the record of his
party as the leader in all real and ma
tional movements for the advancement Of
the people in their national affairs.
Advertising TO what has been said here
tonight. let me add that the Republican
party has always fostered, guarded and
protected the vast interests of this coun-
try. and Republican policies in these re-
xarlr aa oAa aIn hoe f,,I
and constitutional lines wherever and
whenever IL is found to be necessary to
secure that absolute equality of right and
opportunity which Is bottomed upon the
immutable foundations OF natural justice.
when speak OF making progress up
on constitutional lines do 50 we'll know
ing the disposition in some quarters TO
raise the cry that when a public man now
speaks -reverently OF the constitution OF
his country he is making an implied as
saut upon all progress. just as i'm other
quarters II is with equal absurdity pro-
claimed when President Roosevelt refers
approvingly to the maxim that honesty is
the best policy he Is violently assailinS
the foundations of credit.
1T Is most gratifying to be able to say
of the constitution of the United States
that power was found between its covers
10 vtaljze each important progressive
step that has been taken I'm national de-
velopment during the last six years, and
II is equally gratifying TO say of this ad-
ministration that have never known IL
10 make a recommendation that has be-
come law, or TO place an executive con-
struction upon an existing law affecting
largely the general welfare. that its POSI-
tion has not been sustained In the su-
preme court when il has reached that
tribunal.
while the exigencies or ante-conven-
ton politics will generate the usual and
useful friction necessary TO secure fin
ished product. and while small minds
will be befogged by impressions OF ir-
reconcilablc differences and fail to grasp
the relation between the things they un-
derstand and the things that are import
ant. yet in the end, with its best blood in
the convention. the Republican party will
name the next president of the United
States and it's choice, wherever II may
fall, will receive unanimous Republican
approval"