Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-06-07
Observation-Disclosures
Loss Of His Services.
Maine ParIiamentaTian Not Able
To Attend Convention.
Washington viii Be Glad When the
Great Contest Is Over.

I
| law-an,l authority for the parliament
| tarH government Of Republican ma
tional conventions for many years.
| A National convention without Asher
Kinds ON the platform, watching for
| the fine points OF procedure, viii seem
strange to most Of the old timers.
Temporary ehairmen and permanent
chairInen felt a load OF responsibility
| lifted when they knew that Hlnds
would be near. II low tone OF
voice, audible hardly beyond the edge
of the platform. he could tell the pre-
siding officer what was proper to do.
As Mr.. Kinds was unerring in his
knowledge of the parliamentary pro-
prieties. there was no hesitation in
| Following his suggestions. The dele
gates on the floor were also aware of
| his profound knowledge about pro-
cedure and when the chairman ruled,
these delegates. Knowing that the rui-
| ing was virtually Kinds ruling. We're
satisfied with it. All this contribut-
led materially to the orderly conduct
| of the convention sessions.
| Since he became a member of the
House Mr.. Kinds has given less at
fention to parliamentary matters but,
tof course, has not forgotten what he
knew and was in position TO qualify
i as an expert beyond any other living
american. He has not sought at all
to push himself 10 the front in the
House as a parIiamentarfan. Now
| and then he has participated in a dis
cussion of knotty problems Of pro-
leedIire and frequently has heard
1 70. his
"Preeedents" as authority. It would
have been appropriate had Mr.. Hindi
lbeen called to preside over the House
lin committee OF the whole, from time
To time. had the House been Republic
can. There Is no question but what
| a Republican Speaker would have
lealled him there. where IT, could have
been hnt matter Of pride to him to
WELD the gavel little in his own
fright after ne rad served so long as
1.-THE prompfer to several Speakers.
| But the practice Of the House is
against calling Republican To pre-
/ side over a Democratic House Gin
committees of the whole) and vice
lversa/ Consequently il is not likely
/ That Mr.. Kinds Will have an oppor-
Itunity to preside over the House dur
ing the present Congress.
/ He had no particular desire to go to
Chicago 20 sit through the long an6
| wearisome sessions as a parliamentary
expert He has had sufficient honor
lin that connection. But the leading
Republicans were very anxious he
should go. There promises 70 be a
tremendous fight there from start 10
finish and both sides will take every
possible parliamentary advantage.
Whatever Mr. Kinds answer might
otherwise have beea, he does rot feel
Istrong enough Eow TO undertake tn
task. 1t would he a great physical
strain. almost as great as the presid-
ling officer himself will have to under
go.
| And MIR. Kinds is trying very hard
to keep quiet and rest so as TO recover
his health in time for the Maine cam
paign. He is not yet strong enousl
to resume his duties at the Capito'
land naturally does not propose
hazard relapse by any fearful con-
tvention experiences at Chicago When
/ the President wanted the rules for the
government of the national commit
tee revised and a draft made ready
for tie consideration Of the commit
tee when it meets next Thursday, he
asked that Representative Kinds I'M
ldertake the task. But much as Mr.
Kinds would have liked to oblige the
| President, he had to decline His
strength at present was not adequate
for even so small a matter. HIS
physician insists upon his performing
mo work whatever.
Probably one of the journal clerks
| under a former Republican House will
be asked to perform the parliamentary
duties at the Chicago convention. 1t
is customary to adopt the rules of the
] House of Representatives for the gov
eminent of a Republican National
| Convention. Consequently there are
| few men qualified as experts for the
/ position.
| None of the Maine Republicans at
| Washington (of whom there are now
| very few are planning to go to the
Chicago convention. Representative
| Kinds does not intend going there.
neither does Representative Guernsey.
But the convention win be little diff
| ferent III that regard than former
conventions. Fer mary years the
| hssiiN iNNl'hbiithn tpil-ttSSiIleT Nave
not followed National conventions.
They ceased about the time that MIR
Blaine ceased to be great factor as a
presidential candidate. E,x- Senator
Hale and the late Senator Frye groom
ed Mr., Blaine In two or three national
| conventions.
There will. be a great feeling Of re-
| lief in Washington when the Chicago
convention has completed its work
| and adjourned. The Republican nomi-
nation for the presidency has been the
big dominating theme for months and
| months II has overshadowed tho
work Of Congress and the activities
of the executive departments, First
there was a period of suspense as to
whether Roosevelt would become
candidate. When that was finally set
tied. his attacks upon the President
held attention. Finally the President
decided to go out upon the stump and
meet the ex-President's attacks upon
him and his administration. From that
| time WASHINGTON faIioxyp1- tho conn