New-York tribune., 1908-06-05
CONTESTS AT CHICAGO
TO BE TAKEN UP TO-DAY.
Great Gathering of Political Forces
an AdUance of Contention.
Isy Telegraph to The Tribune.I

Chicago June 4-The political forces are
gathering in Chicago in numbers never before
equalIed so far in advance of national con-
venton. not even excepting the st. Louis con-
vention OF 1896. when the national committees
decisions on contests seemed all important
Thus far the anti-Taft have had the field
pretty much to themselves. and they have i'm
proved their time. Yesterday however. Frank
H. Hitchcock Secretary Taft's manager. ar
rived the scene. accompanied by Colonel
McCharr. who is the consulting attorney Of all
the Taft delegates and to-day Charles P. Taft.
brother Of the Secretary. arrived. OF course
many members Of the national committee favor
the nomination Of Secretary Taft. but they are
endeavoring to maintain judicial attitude and
permitting those occupying less responsible
positions TO do all the shouting.
The national committee will hold it's first
meeting tomorrow. and the first case taken up
will be that OF the entire Alabama delegation
The delegation headed by Joseph o. Thompson,
is instructed for Taft and contesting delega-
ton. headed by National Committeeman Charles
H. Scott. is uninstructed and is anti-Taft. The
Thompson delegation claims to be armed with
certificate of regularity signed by the chair
man and the secretary Of the Republican State
Committee and by a legal opinion of the State
Attorney General
Mr.. Scott has been the ground some days
arguing his case with each member OF the na-
tional committee he arrived. but the grava-
men of Mr.. Scotts argument seems to be that
his fellow members the national committee
should not turn down a delegation headed by
one Of their own number. He cites certain in
stances where good-fellowshp has outweighed
logic and cold facts and he says he is confident
of success
INTEREST IN ALABAMA CONTEST.
The Taft forces naturally look upon this con-
test with great interest. A decision favorable TO
Scott would furnish precedent for other and
similar contests would give first blood to the
anti-Taft men in the committee hearings and
above all would result in the first twenty-five
votes in the convention being cast against Taft
The so-called allies" doing a deal Of
shouting and are putting out claims which they
seem hardly prepared to back up with logical ar
gument For instance. Joseph B. Kealing. man
ager of the Fairbanks boom. asserts his complete
confidence that the Vice President will be the
choice of the convention. and yet when pressed
lie admits that there are 319 instructed Taft del
egates and $50 probable" Taft votes on the first
ballot. making total of 1sI more than the num-
Der needed TO nominate.
Governor Hughes's representative, Mr. Hum
phrey. insists that there is a great anti-Taft
movement beneath the surface and that his can
race. When asked if Governor Hughes was not
likely TO announce himself as candidate for
reelection as Governor in the near future. Hum
phrey declared that "a mere pipe dream,
circulated by the Taft people
Senator Foraker's headquarters will be opened
with Charles F. Kurtz in command Mr. kurtz
claims two instructed delegates from Ohio. rs
we'll as six contested Ohio delegates. but he in
sjsts that when the contests from the South are
settled Senator Forakers strength Will have
greatly increased. just at present the Foraker
men are devoting their efforts TO organizing a
monster anti-Taft negro demonstration to be
held here June H. They expect 70 bring severaI
hundred negroes from Ohio to lead the shouting
The Cannon headquarters are already open with
John c. Eversman in charge. but Senator Gull
Iorn and Representative Mckinley are expected
tomorrow
WHAT SENATOR CRANE MAY DO
The allies" are expecting Senator Crane TO
arrive Tomorrow. and are looking to him 10
accomplish what no one has hitherto been able
to do-that is unite the opposition 10 Taft Some
of those most familiar with Mr.. Cranes views.
however do not believe that the Massachusetts
Senator will undertake any such task Mr..
Crane is known to have said before he left
that the organized opposition TO
Secretary Taft was all over. and it is further
known that some of Mr. Cranes friends have
been urging him as the most available man for
chairman of the national committee 10 conduct
the Taft campaign
one of the statements put out by the anti
Taft people to-day to the effect that Charles
p Taft had been summoned to Chicago because
of a detection OF Southern delegates. and that
the Taft managers had been struck with con-
sternation at the strength of the opposition-
rhat Mr. Taft had baAu
expected to arrive in Chicago to-day for some
time. and that his coming had been announced
N the public prints for several days Mr.. Taft
$ probably the most sanguine politician in Chi
rago. He goes about with a beaming counre-
nance assuring all who ask him that his big
orother will be nominated on the first ballot
Il am you know. prejudced witness" he
IIways says. but cannot see anything but
rictory for Will the first ballot"
DOLLIvER TO THE FORE
Definite news from Iowa to the effect that Sen.
tor Allison is assured OF reelection TO the SEN
tie has been the occasion OF much rejoicing
mong the venerable Senator's many friends in
'hicago and National Committeeman Ernest E.
Hart who led the fight In support of Senator
alison. has been the recipient of many congrat-
lations incidentally, Senator Allison's victory
as given renewed impetus 10 the candidacy OF
senator DolIiver for the second place the
Icket II is generally admitted that Mr.. Dol
ver's eloauence on the stump went far toward
is colleagues success and this adds another
,rcef,r! reason for his selection for second place.
ne first being his absolute loyalty 70 the Rooss-
elt policies and still another being his fitness
,r the Presidency should accident or unfors-
zen event throw that great responsibility upon