The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-18
No Opposition Developed at the
State Convention
Which Met Today to Select
National Delegates.
FOR TARIFF REVISION
But There Is Division of Senti.
ment on Wording of Plank.
Temporary Chairman Byers
Makes a Rousing Speech.

Des Moines, Ia, March 1S-The Re-
publican state convention which is to
haIne Iour delegates to the national
convention, instruct them for Taft,
euioglze Senator William B. Allison and
ADOPTED platform calling for revision
OF tarlH, was called to order at. II
CLOCK today by Frank P. Woods,
CHAIRMAN OF the state central commit
tee. He surrendered the gavel to At
torney General H. w Byers. of Har-
Ian, the temporary Chairman. who
made an eloquent address, which
aroused the delegates to much enthus-
iasm- At the conclusion of General
Byers' speech the result of the various
olstrlct caucuses was reported and the
convention adjourned until afternoon to
await committee reports
throughout the morning the wording
OF the tariff revision plank of the plat
form was the subject of discussion
among the Allison men. Numerous sue
sestlons were debated and when the
convention adjourned it was generally
understood that the meeting of the res
olutions committee would be produc-
tive OF considerable argument. The
pIank most IN favor prior to the meet
Ing of the committee was that outlined
last night, which calls for revision
immediately after the Inauguration of
the next president" The demand will
special session
congress be called.
The Cummins men were determined
before the convention met to force a
vote on the adoption of the Ohio re-
vision plank verbatim and two reports
from the resolutions committee were
considered probable.
In all other things the convention is
expected to be harmonious. The slate
for delegates at large was altered in
one particular by John T. Adams of
Dubuque, who withdrew in favor of
FRANK W. Simmons of Ottumwa.
Adams is campaign manager for Sen
ator Allison, and believed that his Sc
lection might give the impression that
he had placed himself on the slate He
was strongly urged to accept the place,
but persisted in his withdrawal
He Names Taft.
On taking up the gaveI General BY
ers commenced his address by the de-
claration that never in the past has
the Republican party had brighter
prospects than at present. He con-
graduated the Republicans of the state
upon the part they had borne in the
creation Of the party record and de-
tailed the features of Republican
achievement at considerable length. He
further said:
THE American people have much rea-
son to be grateful to the Divine Master
of the world, but there is no one thing
for which they should be more thank
full than that at this moment there
came into leadership the greatest man
of modern times, the most potent force
in all the world-Theodore Roosevelt.
He has boldly undertaken to find his way
through the labyrinth that surrounded
us. He has confidently appealed to the
sense Of justice which always dominates
the American heart. His work is not
yet done. but 1t has been gloriously be-
gun.
'If the Republican party is retained
in power it promises to adopt and have
it written into the laws of the land
every suggestion made by the presi-
dent in his last message to congress.
And it seems to me to have a part
in this great work ought to so fill the
heart with patriotism and love of coun-
try that there would be no room for
petty jealousies and factional spirit and
I appeal to you men of the Republican
party to bury forever in the harmony
and good fellowship of this convention
all purely factional differences.
"Then give us as a candidate for
president man who is pledged to walk
straight on the ways of justice and hon.
esty, and victory is as sure as the pas
sage Of time.
1--WE need a man who is saturated
with the influences of the administra-
tion now drawing to an end. We need
a man who understands and apprec1-
ates the work that Roosevelt has done
1--WE need a man who knows that the
tariff schedule must be revised, holding
fast to the policies Of protection but
giving heed to the rights of those who
buy as well as to the rights of those
who SELL We need a man who has al
ready demonstrated that. it is possible
to employ the doctrine of reciprocity TO
enlarge our markets abroad without In
f1icting injury upon our markets at
home.
There may be many such men, for
the Republican party is rich In leaders,
but the man I have in mind is, I be-
lieve, the choice of a great majority of
the Republicans of Iowa, the friend and
adviser of the president, the secretary
of war, William H Taft