Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-28
At WORK0N PLATFORM
Preparing P|anks for the In
dependence Party.
Statement By SHEARN
February Declaration of Principles
to Be Followed.
NO NOMINATION TODAY LIKELY
Strong Sentiment in Favor of Put
ting Hearst at the Head of the
Ticket Despite His Refusal.

Sa1SAGO, July S.-The independence
party, which last night launched itself
fully into American politics by opening its
first national convention. was early today
busily engaged in the construction of its
initial platform and in the selection of its
first presidential candidate.
The reports of the various committees
and the consideration of the platform will
probably occupy the greater part Of the
day. and no nominations are likely before
the night session of the convention.
The subcommittee which has in charge
the drafting Of the platform announced
last night that 1t would be prepared to re-
port to the full committee at II o'cock
today. This did not seem to be probable
during the early part Of the morning, as
the members Of the subcommittee after
hard nights work had not reassembled at
10 o'clock and their report was not then
formulated.
Clarence ]. Shearn, chairman of the
subcommittee which is preparing the
tentative draft of the platform for presen-
tation to the full committee. said today
that the platform as a whole would fol-
low closely the declaration of principles
made at the February meeting of the in
dependence party. The only new planks
which it Is expected will be incorporated
are those relating to anti-injunction.
Astatfc immigration and for a stronger
navy. A proposition from the Society of
Equity to nationalize farm mortgages by
allowing farmers to borrow money direct
from the treasury. giving their land as
security. was rejected. The committee.
however. gave extended consideration to
the request Of the society for federal in
spection of grain.
A plank providing for the physical valu-
alton of railroads and closely following
the La Toilette plank rejected by the re-
publican convention will probably appear
IN the platform draft.
Planks Urged on Committee.
Whether or not the nomination is to
be the result Of dictation from any
source. there can be no possible doubt
that the platform when finally promul-
gated will be the outcome of q discus
sion entirely free from that element.
Planks by the dozen on finance. on
labor and on trusts, and on all three
combined, and on all shades of varia-
tions OF all three, were rained upon the
sentiment, however, seems to be about
as 1t was Sunday, when the delegates
began to arrive in force. A more radi-
cal utterance on the question Of In
functions than was made by either the
democratic or republican party was
favored, the sentiment Of the majority
being toward the practical obliterat1on
Of the preliminary injunction as legal
process. A declaration in favor of pro-
hibiting injunctions until after a full
trial by law has been had found the
greatest number Of advocates.
The Californians are strongly press
ing for a forcible declaration against
Asiatic immigration. and strong plank
on this subject is looked for
1t is also probable that the financial
plank will favor the issuance of all
money direct by the government instead
of through the medium of national
banks.
terprises will be denounced, and AN
amendment to the Sherman antitrust
law providing that it shall not affect
combinat tions of business men Is looked
for.
Strong Desire for Hearst.
DESPITE the fact that Mr. Hearst has
repeatedly declared that he will not be a
candidate for the presidency, there Is a
strong sentiment among the delegates Tor
him, and he would have less trouble In
securing the nomination. If he desires IL.
than had either Taft or Bryan The
PENNSYLVANIA delegation at its caucus oe-
clared unreservedly for Hearst In the lace
of his positive assertion that he did not
care to be considered. The New Jersey
delegation also decided to vote for him.
and it is known that the New YORK peo-
pie will do so at the first opportunity tnat
is given them
the name of Judge Reuben r. Lyon, ana
if he makes no particular showing OF
strength on the first ballot the delegation
will go either to Hearst or TO Hlsgen OF
Massachusetts,. Mr.. Hisgen last night
I'm to the time the convention met, was
considered to have a fairly strong lead IN
the race, but the excellent impression on
the convention made by the matter or Mr
Hearst's speech as temporary chairman
and by the manner in which ne oeiivereu
it, brought him SO strongly TO the front
that Mr.. Hisgen was, to all appearances
pushed somewhat to the rear he ana
his friends. however, were tooay SUI
premeIy confident that he Will be the
nominee. John Temple Graves. VINO says
seconded from New York. declares that
nothing but a stampede to Mr.; Hearst
will prevent his nomination. Milton w.
Howard of Fort Payne. Ala. mas many
friends and he expects TO poti iarse
vote Neal of Indiana Is out of the race
His state has been willing to bring his
name to the front, but Mr.. Neal Is not
ambitious for the honor and 1t is proba ole
that his name will not be presented TO the
Convention. Charles A. Walsh of Iowa
has MANY friends who are pushing his
name, but his candidacy thus far has not
proved as strong as that of Hisgen, How
ard or Graves.
Barred From Convention.
The committee on credentials declined
to grant a seat in the convention to E.
Gerry Brown of Massachusetts,. 1t is
claimed that he made overtures to the
democratic party, claiming that he would
be an available candidate for that or
Raniza,ion because of strength he pos
sessed in the independence party. This
action, the committee believes. placed
him outside the party. and action was
taken accordingly.
The credentials committee prepared its
report late in the morning, declaring that
no contests existed. The announcement
was made that Judge Samuel s. Seabury
of New York, who has been talking
strongly for Bryan. is not entitled to
seat In the convention. The committee
based it's action in relation to Judge Sea-
bury on that Of the New York delega-
tion, which declared that he was not en-
titled to a seat 1t was declared by the
COMMITTEES that II Judge Seabury desired
to file q protest he could do so. There
has so far been no indication that the
protest will be made.
Judge Seabury declared that he had
never. attempted to be a, delegate. II
was asked to be a delegate" said the
Judge, "but refused because did not