New-York tribune., 1908-06-14
CONVENTION INCIDENTS.
BY Telegraph to The TribuneD

by Telegraph TO The TribuneD
Chicago June 13-The uncertainty of the Vice
Presidency puzzle and the frequency with which A.
new name is added to the already imposing list
have given rise to many interesting tuations This
morning large suite of rooms In the Auditorium
Hotel was being fitted out In lavish style Massive
lounges and inviting chairs filled every corner, big
tables which gave promise of bountiful future
held the centre of the floor. while each wall
hung immense pictures of a serious looking states
man with mustache
Four delegates entered the room. They looked
at the picture, each with great degree of famil-
arity in his glance.
"Ah,' said one: Il Governor Fort has opened
his headquarters here. Looks though there
might be something in his boom, after all.
Governor Fort deprecated another. Why my
dear man. that is Governor Sheldon OF Nebraska
I have known him for years. and that picture was
taken at least that long ago.
II don't know Sheldon, said third, but 1 do
know John Hays Hammond, and the gentleman
smiling on us from the wall is none other than he
There was much dispute some talk of a friendly
wager. then attendant entered Them pictures
of Governor Guild cost $40 apiece he informed
the quartet and the fourth delegate. who had
hazarded no opinion, suggested that there were
three coming to him.
II was sure it was Governor Guild. but I didn't
want to say anything he volunteered
Representative NJ. P. Kinkaid. of Nebraska
brought a practically Vice-Presidential boom
to Chicago this morning when he announced that
if man west Of the Mississippi desired on
the ticket that man should be Governor Sheldon
of Nebraska. There had been some mention OF
Governor Sheldon before Mr.. Rinkatd arrived
as Victor Rosewater, the national committeeman
from Nebraska, is stanch believer in tho politi-
cal future of his executive He had not however.
made himself heard very distinctly, so that the
reinforcement brought by Mr.. Kinkaid was ap-
parent.
..1f Won want to make our state more certainly
Republican" Mr.. Kinkaid said to number of in
auirers. nominate Governor Sheldon for Vice
President While / would not class Nebraska as
2 doubtful state under ordinary circumstances.
must admit that with a Nebraskan running on
anv ticket state pride will gain that ticket some
votes But Governor Sheldon has swept the state
as a candidate for Governor, and he would make
a cleaner sweep as vice-President He is young
man. an excellent campagner, with a record as
Governor and State Senator which is a distinct
credit him
Discussing cigars it might we'll be said that. al
though it is frequently declared that the steam
roerites" have revolutionized conventions and done
away with the good old fashioned buttonholing,
tbey have not brought about change in the quail
ity of the campaign cigars. Somewhat less OBJ
noxious than the variety dispensed at shooting gal
leres they are the less what might be termed
questionable
An illustration Of the deadly tendencies Of some
of those which have been unloaded with great
generosity almost any headquarters occurred IN
the lobby of the Auditorium Annex to-day, when
Senator Dick talking 30 a party of friends He
was smoking a cigar of pretty proportions but OF
strange aroma His friends looked at each other
and then at the Senator, but he gave no sign that
he appreciated the character of the snudSe he was
emitting This went while he took four or hve
puffs Then he coughed.
You pale. one OF the party sald 10 hln'-
What's the natter?
"Mv heavens - the Senator exclaimed Il go
ing to be sick 1 took cigar out of the wrong
pocket"
The vanguard of the La Toilette forces arrived
this morning with claims and no pretences
They admit that Senator La Toilette is no more
than receptive candidate at present, and not even
a chief boomer. Alfred Rogers. Senator La Fol
lettes law partner, has no hopes for his success
They have not come to Chicago merely to attend
the convention. however, for they have their eyes
steadily fixed on the COMMITTEES resolutions. They
will endeavor TO have plank put in the platform
providing for the valuation of railroads
The plan is to select the strongest man from the
wisconsin delegation assist in drafting the plat
form with instructions to make a hard night 10
have the following paragraph inserted. together
with several other OF the La Toilette ideas
We demand that the value of all railroads BE-
established. and especially those railroads whose
bonds will be used as the basis for the issuance or
currency under the new hnanclai la"
One of the La Toilette party on being asked TO
define the Senator's political position at present
said 1T is nonsense TO talk about Senator La
Toilette not being Republican. He doesn't APP
nrove OF everything the party has done and made
his fight against certain measures that he believed
to be disadvantageous. But he does not presume
to be infallible neither does he labor under the
,mnression that his colleagues in Congress are
numbskulIs. He realizes that when bill is passed
bv a substantial majority IT must have many good
features He is also good loser. He lost his fight
against the currency bill but this summer will see
him with mis- off leading the Republicans to
victory in our state
Two delegates announced their intention about
o'cIock this afternoon of taking cup OF tea This
idea was much derided by their associates. ana
they were put down as not being traditional dele
gates AT alt They started for the japanese tea
room AT the hotel thinking that this was the logical
haven for tea drinkers They uere told that The
tea room was for ladies only and the waiter looked
at them 80 ptyingly that one OF the delegates re-