The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-06-16
.'E|[:::v|||I' / ! OF he
CONVENTION.
CHICAGO AsTlR WITH TUMuLT-
uous SCENES AND ON TIP.ToE
Of ANTICIPATION.
STATE CAUCUSES'

Jlhl'lL IL IAUIUJLJ :
Actual Nomination Of Man to Lead
the Republican Party Will Proba-
bly, 20 Made Thursday-LittIe
Doubt That Taft Forces Will Be in
Substantial Control Of Convention.
5s Chicago, June 15.The eve Of the
republican national convention finds
Chicago on the tip-tos of anticipation,
with final preparations well matured
for candidates and platform except
the ever troubleful vice presidency,
and with the whole city astir with
those tumultuous scenes which usher
In q national convention.
+ Tonight the streets are ablaze
with lights; flag day has brought forth
a wealth o. color on the tall build
iDgs; bands vie with glee clubs in the
packed headquarters Of candidates
and in the open air; marching clubs
in fantastic regalia parade the main
thoroughfares singing "Taft, Taft"
or "Knox, Knox" and trere is that
universal panje; cnium which fits the
night before a national convention.
The force Of the invading army Is now
here-leaders and followers, delegates
and rank and file, marching clubs and
glee clubs, bands and drum corps.
The last of the state delegations, from
the far south, came in tonight.
But while the din proceeds without
the final preparations Of the leaders
proceed within. Their plans are well
laid, probably with greater precision
than has ever been known before q
national convention has met, and un>
less the unexpected happens or the
specter Of stampede arises from its
grave the convention Of 1908 will es-
tablish q record for the methodical
execution of well established plans.
Burrows VIII start oratory.
Tomorrow will Sc the convention as-
sembled within the vast Coliseum
building with the first how Of conven-
tion eloquence from the veteran sena-
torial orator, Julius Caesar Burrows.
and the first opportunity to greet the
name Of Roosevelt, Taft, Knox or
some other favorite with an ear-split-
ting and sight-bewildering demonstra-
ton breaking all records for volume
and duration. Senator Burrows arriv-
ed today. his shaggy beard much
whittier than when he last attended q
national convention.
In view Of the reports that the sen.
ator's speech omits q tribute to Presi-
dent Roosevelt, It Is being conjec.
tured tonight that the senator will de.
part from the prepared text, but
whether he does or not the pent up
enthusiasm Ii sure to ind expression
tomorrow IN q vociferous demonstra-
tion. With Mr.. Burrows arrived Asher
g. Kinds, the expert parlimentarian
Of congress, who will stand ct Bur.
rows elbow to weather any storm
that may blow. Kinds was with
Speaker Reed during the turbulent
days Of his iron rule, then with Speak
er Henderson and Is now with Can
non. His genius 10 for Immediately
solving the knottiest parliamentary
tangle, and should the unexpected
stampede show It's head tomorrow.
Kinds will be relied upon to throw
against It the full force Of precedent
and established procedure.
Name the President Thursday.
After the preliminary gathering Of
tomorrow there will be period Of
suspense for practically two days dur
ing which the committees will meet
and organization be perfected, so
that the actual nomination Of the
president is not liable to occur before
Thursday.
The business Of today has been d.
vided chiefly between the canvassing
Of states for selection Of officers and
representatives on the various com
mittees. platform. credentials. ma
tional committees, etc. These selec-
Il ons BY the states have a decisive In
,fuence in determining the complexion
Of the various controlling committees
Of the convention.
The caucuses today left little room
to doubt that the Taft forces will be
In substantial control of the organiza-
ton when the full committee are as
sembled.
Important state caueuses.
Among the more important state
caucuses Of the day were those Of
Ohio. New York, Indiana and Iowa.
as each had some bearing on the per.
picking question Of the vice presi.
dency. Each Of these gatherings
brought forth the odd negative con.
clusion Of declaring not to be IN faJor