The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-06-20
NATIONAL
CONVENTION IN session

Chicago. June 15.-The convention
to name a new republican candidate
for president of the United States is at
hand. The gathering in the big Coli
scum, Wabash avenue-made up OF
representatives from every state and
territory in the Union, as we'll as the
more recently acquired island posses
sions-will be called to order at noon
by Harry S. New, chairman Of the re-
publican national committee, who will
introduce Senator julius Caesar Bur-
rows of Michigan as temporary chair
man.
In assuming the gavel during the
temporary period of the conventions
existence. Senator Burrows will make
an extended speech, designed to en-
| body the keynote of the coming cam
paign and to proclaim the principles
and achievements of the republican
party during its many years exist
ence. When his speech has been con-
cluded, Senator Burrows will announce
| the important committees, including
that on credentials, and the conven-
ton will adjourn until such time as
the latter committee is ready to re-
| port.
There is considerable discussion as
| to the length of the convention, some
| of the leaders holding to the original
| estimate of five days in which to con-
clude all of the work to come before
the delegates, and others more optim-
istic declaring that three days should
| see the end of all deliberations and
the departure of the delegates for
| home.
| It is thought the credentials commit
tee will not be able to appoint the per-
manent rollcall until Thursday, and if
the allies opposed to the candidacy of
William Taft insist on their announced
determination in presenting at least
$50 of the original 229 contested dele
gate cases to the committee, there is
likelihood that permanent organization
may be deferred until Friday.
So far as possible the contests will
be passed upon in bulk, as was found
| expeditions in the national committee,
and the credentials committee will sit
until late Tuesday and Wednesday
nights to complete it's labOrs. Just as
soon as the permanent list of delegates
is concluded nominations for president
will be in order.
The MANAGERS of the Taft campaign
profess to have not the slightest doubt
as to the result of the first ballot and
declare they have no apprehension as
to the action of the credentials commit
tee upon contested delegations. The
allies, however, continue to maintain
a bold front and declare that not until
the first ballot is ended will they ad-
NIT defeat.
The second day of the convention,
Wednesday, June IS, will be given over
to parades of the visiting delegates
and marching clubs. This is intended
to make interesting the idle hours for
most of the delegates while the Gre
dentials committee is passing upon the
merits of contested cases and drawing
up it's report. The failure of number
of the old-time republican marching
clubs to come to the present conven-
ton is disappointment to those who
look for color and excitement in ma
tional political gatherings. Additional
clubs and delegates arriving daily
have given somewhat belated aspect
of gaiety to the convention city.
A call of citizens for merchants and
householders to decorate in honor of
the republican visitors has resulted in
the display of many additional flags
and yards of patriotic bunting, and
with the formal opening and throng-
ing of state headquarters there was
every indication that the time of the
assembly of the history-making con-
/ vention had arrived.
Holding Of Caucuses.
i Practically all the state delegations
have held their caucuses to name their
representatives on various convention
committees, including credentials,
rules and order OF business, perma-
nent organization, members to notify
presidential and vice-presidential can
didates. to choose members Of the ma
llOudl COum1ICCC 0Au w 0OAOSS SAAesAA
man and secretary of each delegation.
Tentative selections already have been
made by many Of the states, but these
remained to be ratified after the dele
gates had arrived upon the ground and
had taken account Of all the existing
conditions.
= Platform building, the welding OF
opinion as to the most available OF the
vice-presidential candidates to be put
in nomination for selection by the
votes Of the delegates in open conven.
ton, also occupied the directing in
fluences of the various state delega.
lions during the day.
!. The situation as to the .vice-presi.
dency continues quite remarkable in
its aspects of complete uncertainty,
and the lack of definite information OF
decision Is serving to encourage the
managers of the various candidates
: that have been openly announced OF
widely iutimated. Senator Nathan p