The Washington herald., 1912-06-21
PRE- CONVENTION
SIDELIGHT S,


Baltimore. Ma. June None OF the
most noticeable traits OF the Democratic
delegates already gathered in Baltimore
Is their comparative lack OF interest in
their own convention and their super
lative desire for knowledge Of what IL
going on at Chicago
Newspaper men who tried to inter-
view prominent Democrats in the lob
bies Of the Emerson, Belvedere. and St.
James Hotels to-day were frequently in
terrupted with Whats the news from
Chicagor' Whats the meaning of
.Roosevelt's latest mover 'Is II true
that he has released his delegates7" and
the like. Even the recommendation OF
Judge Parker for temporary chairman
created but a slight ripple OF excitement.
It looks like the Democrats would not
pay much attention to their own affairs
until after the Republicans finish their
important business at Chicago.
There are q number Of large Harmon
posters sprinkled around the hotel lob
bies. The Ohio men got in first and got
the choice OF positions. But the Wilson
men followed closely on their heels and
placed on the lapels Of the pictures small
pins with Win with Wilson" on them
II the Democrats don't want to paint
Baltimore red in any other way, the
Clark men will do It literally. Red Is
the official Clark color and the Clark
headquarters is preparing huge maps OF
the United States with the Speakers
States printed in this vivid hue. The
Clark posters bear a margin Of red and
"Houn' dawg'' buttons are hectic in ap-
pearance. No other candidate has Sc
lected an ofhcial color, but the Speaker
will be heard through his campaign liter
ature, posters and buttons even before
the convention opens.
Anticipating the arrival OF large
number Of Southern delegates, the En-
erson Hotel is installing a new bar.
some fifty feet long, occupying two sides
Of large room on the first floor. Here,
the management claims, will be room
enough 10 accommodate all the dele
gates and their friends, who wish to
imbibe a little courage, or exercise a
little hospitality toward their friends.
There is no need taIklng-Baltlmore
cannot compare with Chicago as a con-
vention city from the purely social
standpoint. There is not a hotel in the
city which makes any pretentions 10
having a "Pompeian Room" and few
appeal TO the out-of-town delegates as
Co the Chicago caravansaries. But Bal
timore, according to the natives. has
Ilenty OF room for her 10000 visitors:
and that, after all, Is the main desider-
atum. People can do without fountains
and Peacock Alleys" but they can't
do without a bed. At least the majority
of them cannot.
II have never seen Virginia Democrats
so apparently disinterested in preconven-
tion doings as they are right now" de-
clared Lieut. Gov. J. 7. ElIysOn OF Vir-
ginia to-day at the Belvedere.
I'VE have no candidate for any once
or position. Our people are divided as
between Underwood, Clark, Wilson. and
Harmon for Presidential honors. We
don't know who We want for Vice Pres
ident. and We have no favorite for tenn
porary chairman. All we care for is to
come here. look the situation over. and
try to help pick the man who can win.
That is all that We are seriously con-
sidering, Virginia wants to do what IS
best for the entire country. Our State
will have twenty-foUr votes in the con-
and We will try to use them to |
good advantage for all concerned.
We have no special plank that We
want inserted IN the platform. In fact, |
Virginians will be satisfied with any
good man the convention sees ht TO
nominate for the two highest ofices, and
We promise to vote the ticket"
Mr.. Ellyson is the National Committee
man from Virginia, a position he has
held for nearly Thirty years.