Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-07-28
Hearst Dominates Independence Con-
vention, but Will Not Dictate.
HIsGEN AND HOWARD IN LEAD
Both Candidates Express Themselves
ms Confident of Success-PlatfOrm
VIII Contain Radical In
junction Plank.

whose speech will sound the keynote Of the
partys policy throughout the coming ma
tonal campaign, has thus far been the
dominant factor in the party councils. He
has repeatedly declared that he is not
candidate for any office and is seeking
nothing beyond the promotion OF the best
interests of the organization he had rallied
around him.
Thomas L. Hisgen Of Massachusetts and
Milton w. Howard Of Fort Payne, Ala,
seem to be the leading candidates for the
presidential nomination. Mr.. Hisgen is
strongly supported by the eastern delega-
tions, while the south and portions OF the
west incline towards Mr.. Howard. The
fight is open and according to Mr.. Hearst
and other men prominent in the organiza-
tion, the nomination will not be dictated or
influenced in any manner.
walsh of Iowa Chairman.
Charles R. Walsh Of Iowa, who for
number OF years was secretary Of the demo-
cratic national committee, will be perma-
nent chairman of the convention. II is
probable that Clarence J. Shearn of New
York will be made chairman of the resolu-
tions committee.
It is not expected than any extensive de-
bate will result either in the convention or
before the committee on resolutions and II
is believed by the majority Of the dele
gates that the convention, with its night
session today and a meeting which will
last through all of Tuesday, finish its work
tomorrow evening.
The program for the opening session will
comprise, after the usual opening formal
tiles, the address Of Mr.. Hearst as tenn
poraray chairman. and the appointment Of
the various committees 1t is believed that
the subcommittee OF the committee on res
olutions which will be appointed to do the
heavy work in drafting the platform, will
report to the full committee by 9 o'clock
Tuesday morning and that the platform
will be formally presented to the conven-
tion by noon of that day.
Candidates Open Headquarters.
The followers of the various presidential
candidates were busy early today opening
headquarters and organizing the campaigns
for their respective leaders. There seemed
to be considerable enthusiasm among the
followers OF Ehsgen and Howard. and much
optimism was shown by the adherents Of
other candidates
Hisgen. who has shown considerable
strength. particularly among the eastern
delegates, seemed highly pleased over the
outlook today
Il have received pledges of support" he
said, from many of the delegations and
although l cannot say that the convention
will select me, 1 know that will make a
good showing on the first ballot, and be-
lieve that I will make better showing
on the second II one is taken"
Milton w. Howard off Alabama whose
headquarters were opened today in the Nor
rison hotel, expressed himself in a similar
manner, and seemed confident of ultimate
success.
The New York delegation, some of its
members declare, will not make a strong
and continued fight for Rueber r. Lyon OF
that state He will be given compimen.
tary vote on the first ballot, and after that
the New York people will probably placa
their strength elsewhere. 1t is known that
Hisgen expects a material gain from this
direction.
Nevada Wants second Place.
Among the early delegations arriving to-
day were those from California, Utah.
Nevada and New Mexico They were un-
decided In their presidential preferences,
many Of them, however. favoring Howard
OF Georgia. The Nevada people brought
with them the first vice presidential bosm
that has so far made it's appearance. 1t
was that of General II. c. Hagerman of
Nevada and his delegation declared that II
would make strong fight in his behalf
Among all the delegates who arrived this
morning, some OF which held their eau
cuses on the train, the sentiment was
strong against any fusion with either the
democratic or republican party and the
question Of whether the convention would
endorse Bryan was usually productive of
laugh or an indignant ejaculation. But
one sentiment was expressed among the
delegates on that point and all OF them
are In favor Of nominating a ticket of
their own.
The western delegates also brought with
them a resolution which they will en-.
deavor TO have inserted in the platform.
In effect It denounces the government for
selling public power to private parties in
the particular instance OF the Roosevelt
dam in the west. where they claim that the
government sells electric power costing 2
cents per kilometer for eight or ten tines
that sum.
Among the arrivals of the day were
that OF General Jacob F. Coxey Of Ohio
who is a delegate. Mr.. Coxey came today
with pamphlets and papers prepared to
make a plea before the resolutions com
mittee for the insertion of a plank provid-
ing for the issue by the government of
noninterest- bearing bonds.
Mr.. CoXey made a tight at the populist
convention in st, Louis for the adoption
OF his idea, but it was not incorporated in
the platform.
Radical Injunction Plank.
The platform will. it is believed, contain
a much more radical declaration on the
question OF injunction than was EN-
bodied in the platforms of the dem
ocratic or republican parties Indications
are the temper OF the convention will be
in favor of doing away entirely with pre-
liminary injunction in labor disputes The
majority OF the delegates who have arrived
believe there will be no punishment for
contempt of court until after trial by Jury.
Another declaration likely to be in the
platform will be a plank giving the Inter.
state Commerce commission power to make
changes in railroad tariffs, and that no
rate shall be reduced without consent OF
the commission.
An amendment to the Sherman act will be
favored adjusting that statute In such a
manner that II can be made to apply only
10 such combinations acting In restraint OF
trade or tending toward monopoly Over
rpffa IHaa mill h.