The Washington herald., 1908-04-02

indianapolis, April 1.-The Republican
State convention held its initial session
this afternoon and the delegates listened
70 speeches by Representatives Overstreet
and CLANCY, Senators Beveridge and
Hemenway and Gov. Hanly, the latter
devoting his time entirely to a defense Of
his administration. No business was
transacted, and the reports Of the several
committees win be made at the session
tomorrow.
While interest centered largely in the
work Of the committee on resolutions, it
was transferred for two hours to-day TO
the committee on rules and permanent
organization because Of charges Of
bribery that were made before that com
mittee.
Soon afer the committee organized
Elmer Bassett. of Shelbyville, said that
there were many reports in circulation of
attempts to buy the votes of delegates by
inducing them TO give proxies and leave
for their homes. Chairman Hayes fol-
lowed this with a statement that a dele
gate whom he knew had been offered $50
by one of the candidates for governor
for his vote. He said various suns were
being paid one man getting s.. another
$3.50. and another $50. Mr.. Gamble. OF
the committee, said that he knew Of $50
having been offered to a Yigo County
man.
Cannot Buy Proxies.
The best way of counteracting tie pur-
chase Of proxies was discussed by the
committee and al seemed anxious to pre-
vent any but delegates and their alter
mates from acting in the convention. a
motion 20 this effect was defeated, how
ever. and a resolution was adopted re-
quiring each county delegation TO fill
vacancies by majority vote. This action
was reduced 10 a rule and viii be reported
10 the convention.
The first order Of business is TO be the
election Of four delegates-at-large 10 the
national convention and the committee
will recommend Senators Beveridge and
Hemenway and Coy. Hanley and State
Chairman Goodrich.
The committee on resolutions went into
session at noon and remained behind
closed doors with a short intermission
at o'clock this evening. The work of
making a platform was not then COM
plete, and the committee met again In
an hour with a prospect of being at work
till after midn ght. There was long
discussion of the tariff plank. and il was
finally decided 10 accept without material
change the draft as drawn UP yesterday
by a number OF the leaders. II urges
Congress and the President to make in
Quiry into tariff conditions and pledges
Congress 10 take up the question Of re-
vision at a special session TO be called
after the election.
Modify the Resolution.
The resolution indorsing the administra-
tion Of President Roosevelt had harder
sledging- As presented TO the committee
it consisted of about seven lines formal
10 stiffness and it WAS evident that the
men who drafted it had tried 20 say as
little as possible. As soon as il was read
the friends Of the President on the com
mittee entered protests and declared that
it would never do to go before the Repub-
licans of the State with such a plank. as
they would resent such formal indorse-
ment of the President and his admins
tratiOn. ana the Democrats would be
quick 10 take advantage of such cow
ardice. The resolution that Senator Bev-
eridge brought from Washington with
him was then presented, and out Of the
two. one was constructed. that the friends
OF the President, though not wholly salts
fed, finally approved.
The race for governor is absorbing the
interest Of the delegates. and il is gen
orally conceded that Congressman Wat
son will be nominated