The Washington herald., 1908-06-11
GOSSIP OF THE CONVENTION.

Special 20 Tho Washington Herald
Chicago, June I0.-Although the dele
gates 70 the Republican national conven-
ton will not convene until next Tuesday,
Chicago already has taken on the appear
ance OF a convention city. Never before
have the politicians assembled so far in
advance Of a national convention.
Their presence in Chicago at this time
IS due to Importance that attaches 70 tho
deliberations of the Republican National
Committee. The large number Of con-
tests from the Southern States have made
the decision OF the committee vital 70 the
candidacy Of Secretary Taft
When the members OF that body came
together the Secretary did not have the
votes 10 nominate him lie has them
now. for the committee has settled the
contests. and settled them right-from the
standpoint Of the Taft maragers Every
delegation that has come 10 Chicago
with contest brought shouters along
to make a demonstration. This contin-
gent alone Is large enough 20 compose a
small convention crowd The hotels are
oil filed. and every candidate has opened
headquarters. This year the convention
crowds have taken possession Of the lake
front hotels. Formerly the Palmer House.
the Great Northern. and other hotels in
the business district were popular with
the politicians.
This year they have selected as their
headquarters the Auditorium. the Audi
torium Annex. the Stratford. and other
hotels that get the breezes from Lake
Michigan first. But all OF the large hotels
are turning away people who failed to
engage quarters in advance.
The presence Of so many Senators and
Representatives would seem 70 Indicate
that Congress had adjourned 20 recon
vene In Chicago. Those members who
are not here in the interest OF a Presl-
Dental candidate hold places on the na-
tional committee or will appear in the
convention as delegates. The convention
will have as delegates n larger number
Of members OF the House than any other
national convention of recent years. The
candidacy Of Speaker Cannon accountS
for this. Many OF these members must
vote for Secretary Taft as they have been
instructed to do so. But Uncle Joe is
their choice
Secretary Taft may have the delegates
to nominate him, but that will not prevent
the Pennsylvanians from impressing the
convention with the fact that the Key
stone State has candidate. They are
prepared to make a splendid demonstra-
ton for Senator Philander Chase Knox.
The headquarters OF the PENNSYLVANIA
delegation are at the Auditorium. where
they have engaged fifty rooms. In the
preliminarles Senator Knox is represented
by James Francis Burke. member OF the
House from Pittsburg district What
ever life there may be in the Taft opposi-
ton Is due largely 20 the efforts Of Burke
The composure OF the managers Of the
other allied candidates while witnessing
the crushing their chiefs received under
the Taft steam roller was very impress
sive They seemed entirely willing 20 sub
NIT 10 the domination OF the national
committee by Frank II. Hitchcock and
other Taft representatives without "a word
OF complaint. Burke openly denounced
the methods Of the Taft forces and finally
! Induced the others to stand for a protest
against the admission on proxies OF Hitch
cock and other outsiders. who have been
, working for Secretary Taft for months.
1t was Burke who also proposed that
the allies appeal from the decision of the
; committee In dsposing of contests to the
} convention. Burke keeps in touch with
Senator Knox by means of the long-dis-
tance telephone. and il is 10 be presumed
that his belligerent attitude has the Sena-
, tors approval
The chatter of society interm!ngles with
/ 20
Ing the preconvention week MANY OF
the politicians are accompanied by their
wives and daughters. Mrs Harry New
wife Of the Republican national chair
man. reached Chicago several days ago
She was Joined by Mrs. Elmer Dover
wife Of the secretary OF the national
committee, who came on from Washing
Z ton early In the week. Mrs. Frank b
{ Kellogg, of ST. Paul, arrived yesterday
Charles =. Taft. brother OF the Secre.
tary, is accompanied by Mrs. Taft and
, t'eir daughter. Miss Louise Mrs James
Francis Burke and Gen and Mrs. John
, a. Johnston. OF Washington. are expected
the last OF this week Chicago society
, people have been deeply interested IN a
report that Representative and Mrs
, Nicholas Longworth and Joseph Letter
and his bride will attend the convention
The British Ambassador and Mrs. Bryce
: also are expected. Ambassador Bryce
has an engagement to deliver an ad.
dress at Madison, Wis, next week.
The talk OF Senator Penrose for chair.
man Of the Republican National Commit.
tee has been favcrably received by many
of the Taft supporters. as we'll as 10y
the managers of the allied candidates
The Pennsylvania Senator was considered
! for that position four years ago, wher