Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-14
BUSINESS NOT ALL OVER
Unexpected May Yet Happen and
Alter Predicted History.
CANNON BUTTONS. ]
!. POPULAR
Minister WI Envied by the Fair
John Hays Hammond and Blonde
Typewriters Busy.
Special From Stan Correspondent.


CHICAGO. June Is. 1908.
Why didn't you get here in time for
the cOnvention?'
This cheerfully facetious query is hurled
at all newcomcrs-delegates newspaper
men and casualsts-by the folks who
have been out here on the ground during
the sittings Of the national committee.
''All Is over but the shouting they tell
you with wide grinned emphasis.
''Ot course there's a Vice President to
be chosen and nobody knows yet who it
will be-and some other little matters.
But so far as the main idea, the real
reason. the big noise Is concerned it is
all over and the history is as good as
ritten.'
And this, too, despite that the con-
vention doesn't convene till Tuesday
next at the fateful hour Of noon.
Unexpected May Happen.
But, these village cut-ups to the con-
trary notwithstanding. there is plenty a
doing and some frasmentary odds and
ends of history may be written yet. For.
with the vice presidency up in the air and
the credentials committee scrap in pros
pect, and the national platform still a
thing of chaoS-in spots at least-there is
still room for something unexpected and
Interesting to happen.
Which. let US hope. will be the case.
for cut and dried conventions, particularly
when the cutting and drying process ex-
tends even to the core OF the political ap-
pie, they are obnoxious. especially to that
vociferous minority Of curious and dis
interested citizens who have come here to
Chicago from the four points Of the COM
pass praying for row and anxious to
see somebody crack head or two.
One would never imagine from the joy
full surface activity Of the allies par
the opposition, that the nomination of
Secretary Taft is conceded by all hands.
The Csnnonites, headed by Representa-
tive William =. Mckinley of Illinois and
fianked by John Eversman. his conf
Dental man. are located on the parlor
floor of the Auditorium Hotel with
regiment OF gladhanders and q thousand
bushels of campaign buttons. And the
eiadhanders are so active. too, that most
everybody you see is wearing one of the
buttons. and not apologizins for it either.
Cannon Buttons Popular.
'Ain't 1t pretty?'' said A red-hot Knox
hustler in the lobby of the Annex this
afternoon. pointing to one Of the red and
gold Cannon medallions that decorated
his coat lapel to the exclusion of every
thing else. 'Ain't it real pretty?''
These Cannon buttons and badges
must have been designed by a high
OF them by tombstone manufacturers
I'm for Knox, but this Cannon affair IS
decoration and I'm going to keep on
wearing it. And I've sent half dozen
home to the family. too"
Tonight the Cannon people entertained
the crowds on Michigan avenue and the
lake front. forninst the storm center of
this political get-together. with band
concert from their balcony. Later the
Chicago Glee Club came out also in full
evening regalia and sang everything from
| My Country. Tis OF Thee to I'm
Afraid to Go Home in the Dark
The Knox boom Is scheduled to arrive
tomorrow some time, about 500 strong,
and Will whoop it up for Pennsylvania s
favorite son until the cows come home
and the cows are due promptly after the
first ballot.
There is feeble sort of Hughes head
Inisnomer to call it that-in the Audi
torium. But there is strictly nothing
doing in the way Of greetings and the
glad hands that YOU get have ice under
the finger nails.
That about winds up the headquarters
lust OF the allies, though 1t might be
men toned that the Cannon people are in
dual role just now, boosting with might
and main the aspirations Of Representa-
tive James S. Sherman OF New York
for the vice presidential nomination.
Taft Has No Headquarters.
And here's the joke of the whole per-
! formance. The Taft people have no head
quarters and no buttons. But they have
the votes.
| Frank Hitchcocks Office is under his
hat. He and his hat are mighty fire.
Quently in a reserved telephone booth
| from which a special wire meanders over
| hill and dale to Washington. Some say
it ends in the White House and some
say 1t ends in the War Department.
! Truth is that upon occasion 1t ends in
both. But the fact remains. passing by
the headquarters end Of II, that the Taft
people have no campaign buttons.
| You can buy buttons and badges bear
ing excellent portraits Of the Secretary
| Of War-all of them wearing the smile
that won't come on-from the venders
But there are no free Taft buttons In
sight. Which, however, Is somewhat be-
side the question. for the Taft people
have the votes and can pass up the frilly
incidents Of the program.
Charles p. Taft 1s Happy.
| Charles p Taft. the active and moncyed
brother Of the Secretary candidate. Is a
whole show in himself He is. you know,
sl<I~ sIn-