The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1910-04-05
INDIANA
To Hold First State COnVGn-
tiOn Of The Year
In The City Of indianapolis
On Tuesday
Much Interest Manifested
In Convention

held here tomorrow and the lobbies
OF the principal hotels are already
scenes of political activity, particu-
larly that of the Claypool hotel, where
the most of the party leaders have
their headquarters. The convention
will be one of the largest ever held
in Indiana. There will be / ,745 dele.
gates. The gathering will be held in
Tomlinson hall, where provision has
been made to seat several thousand
visitors.
Indiana does not elect a governor
or lieutenant governor this year, but
does elect all the other important
State officers. For an off-year conven-
tion an unusual amount of interest is
displayed. This IS due chiefly to the
fact that it is the first State conven-
tion of the year and the platform it
adopts is expected to have national
s'gnificance. The question asked on
ali sides today is: What will the con-
yention have to say regarding the
Payne-Aldrich tariff measure and the
Taft administration"
Senator Beveridge, who will be
chairman of the convention and will
probably deliver the only speech of
the day, is to be candidate for re-
election before the Legislature which
will be elected next November. The
last legislature elected a Democrat,
Benjamin F. Shively, to the United
States senate to succeed the Repub-
lican senator, Hemenway. The Dem
ocratic victory of two years ago has
given that party increased confidence
and the Republican leaders realize
that any serious mistake on their part
in regard to platform or candidates is
almost sure to result in another Dem
ocratic victory.
At the very outset they find them
selves in a serious dilemma, for even
the most consummate and adroit poll
ticians in the Republican party can
not figure out how tomorrow's con-
vention can indorse the tariff bill
without repudiating Senator Bever-
idge. The situation is identical with
that in half a dozen other states of
the West, including Wisconsin, Iowa,
Nebraska, Kansas and Minnesota
where sharp line of cleavage now is
drawn between the insurgent Re-
publicans and the Administration.
If it comes to the point whether
either the tariff bill or Senator Bev-
eridge must go overheard it is per-
fectly safe to assert that the tariff
measure and not the senator will be
sacrificed The Beveridge followers
will be in absolute control of the con-
! vention, so that there is little doubt
but that the convention will strong
: ly indorse the action of the Indiana
! senator on the tariff bill Senator
Beveridge, it will be recollected, stood
firmly for revision downward and fin
ally voted against the tariff bill. The
people of Indiana are strong for re-
! vision downward, and the Republican
: leaders believe that Senator Bever-
: idge has laid a firm foundation for
= victory.
1t is possible that the convention
: may decide it to be the wisest course,
l after giving Senator Beveridge ring
8 ing Endorsement, to also indorse
President Tafts administration, with
: out any specific mention of the tariff
t question. This Would act as sop to
e the stanApatters and would also be
| calcdIAteHto make it easier shedding
g for the Republicans in the coming
g campaign for it is reported on good
/ authority that if the convention is too
g radical in its resolutions Senator Bev-
. eridge will not have the financial sup
t port of the old-time heavy and steady
g contributors to the Indiana campaign
+ fund in his race for reelection.
The general feeling is that if form,
er Senator Hemenway, former Re-
preventative Watson and other Re
publican leaders who are regarded as
anti-Beveridge men are not satisfied
with what the convention is willing to
v give them, then Senator Beveridge
f will take the bull by the horns and
s make anti,Aldrichism and tariff re
|. vision the chief slogan of the cam
e paign, regardless of the effect that
|. such action may have on national Re
g publican politics.
x Viewed from any standpoint the
+ resolutions committee in tomorrow''
a convention will have an unpleasant
:. and difficult task to perform. If tn,
platform be devoted wholly to loca
}. questions, as some advise, the Demo
Gratis are sure to pitch their platform