The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1912-06-12

seats. fire, panics and the like. Dele
gates and visitors are liable to be over.
come by the heat. All Of these contin-
gencies must be provided for. Various
concessions, including those for lemon.
ade. fans. flags, canes, buttons, etc.,
are to be given out. Noise producers
are also in demand, although there are
always plenty Of these in human form.
The national committee makes up
the temporary roll. This means that
it must hear all contests, Of which
there is an unusually large number
this year. OF course the committees
decision is not final since the conven-
ton passes on the credentials Of its
own members. Yet, in fact, the com
mittee's decision will be final in most
cases, for the reason that those on the
temporary roll will have power to vote
as to determining all contests in the
convention except those in which the
delegates voting are personally con
cerned. Thus the national committees
action on these contests may determine
the actual complexion Of the conven'
ton. especially if it is close.
Largest Convention Ever Assembled.
The number of delegates in the Re
publican national convention is 1916
There has been some confusion on this
point owing to the fact that New Mex.
leo claimed 8 delegates, whereas the
call apportions her only 6. If she is
allowed 8 the total will be swelled to
1918. In all the territories or de
Tendencies. excepting Hawaii. the
number is 2. Hawaii Is allowed g.
New York heads the list with 30. Penn.
sylvania comes next with 76. Illinois
is third with So, Ohio fourth with 4S
and Texas fifth with 40. Massachusetts
and Missouri have 36 each, Indiana
and Michigan 80 each, Georgia and
New Jersey % each, California, Iowa,
Kentucky and Wisconsin 26 each; Ala
bama. Minnesota, North Carolina,
Tennessee and Virginia "a each; Kan.
sas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Okla
homa 20 each; Arkansas and South
Carolina IS each; Maryland, Nebraska
and West Virginia 16 each; Connect
cut and Washington IA each; Colorado,
Florida and Maine II each; North Da-
kota, Oregon, Rhode Island and South
Dakota 10 each; Idaho, Montana, New
Hampshire, Utah and Vermont 8 each:
Arizona. Delaware, Hawaii, Nevada,
New Mexico and Wyoming 6 each, and
Alaska, District Of Columbia, Philip
pine Islands and Porto Rico 2 each.
That makes just 1,076-count 'em. The
Republican national convention Of this
year Is larger than any v e assembled
before. The delegates alone would
make up an ordinary sized military
regiment. There are as many more al.
ternates, several hundred newspaper
men, several hundred distinguish.
ed citizens, convention officials and
Mr.. Common People. with his numer'
Gus family.
Most Americans are now familiar
; with the scene presented by the aver
> age national convention either through
having attended at least one such gath
ering in person or through pictures and
> descriptions in the press. In theil
: main features these conventions ar
all alike. There are variations, Of
:, course, due to particular causes, but
the scene presented to the eye. the
course Of procedure. the speeches, thu
balloting, the cheering, the decorations
and the other accessories that go t.
. make up these popular party Assem-
blages make one national convention
as like another as two peas in a pod.
/, Color, Precipitation and Enthusiasm.
The writer has attended eight ma
tional conventions and has kept fairly
! close track OF others for a matter OF
5 twenty-five years. 4 general descrip
r lion OF n vii! answer for all They