The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-29
DELEGATES ARE WORN OUT.
Were Slow in Arriving at Convention
Hall.

Baltimore, June 29.-W cared with
their second struggle lasting practically
all night the leaders and main body
of delegates were late in making their
temperance at the main centerS of
activity this morning and it was vel
toward noon before the work of con-
ference and caucus was in full swing.
Early birds, which included Chairman
James were again sanguine that de-
cisive ballot would be reached today
and that the convention would conclude
its labors tonight
1t was the general feeling that if
Clark wins he must win quickly. "A
continued deadlock was the one thing
which might DESTROY the commanding
lead he had already vesta blished- The
problem before the Clark forces wa:
twofold. first to hold their present
strength intact and second to add 1T652
ballot to give him the necessary two
thirds majority.
The first problem was not a menac-
ing one, but it had it's difficulties. The
80 New York votes for Clark from the
tenth to twelfth ballot were not re-
garded as dependable if the struggle
was prolonged, as the New Workers
still were feeling their way, ready to
stand by Clark if his forces could
show an ability to concentrate the
field, but not to remain with him in
definitely in a prolonged contest.
Clark Forces HOLD.
Outside the New York acquisition the
main body of Clark men were holding
together well, although it was said some
of them who have formerly had strong
Bryan Affiliations might develop a ten
dency to try Wilson if the contest was
prolonged. These considerations led
the Clark men to bend all their ener-
gies to finishing the contest quickly
The Underwood forces were regarded
as playing an important part in the
present critical stage of the balloting
They were standing SOlidly, with no eV-
idence of wavering during the early
hours. But their 123 votes on the
twelfth ballot made them in a sense,
the key to the Clark situation for
with them the Clark total would be
augmented well along toward the neces-
sary two-thirds.
At the Underwood headquarters,
however, there was not the~slightest
indication of directing the vote as
balance of power among the other
candidates. The sole idea was to keep
the Underwood force together In the
belief that it would gather strength
from all quarters in case break came
from the candidates now in the lead.
Something for Underwood.
Reports are current that if Under
wood would step aside for Clark the
speakership. Clark supporters would
not say whether these reports had any
basis but admitted that the Under
wood people now held the key to the
situation. Information was forthcom-
ing that one of the leaders of the
movement for Mr.. Underwood in one
of the southern delega tioEs would urge
that the time had come t turn Mr..
Underwood's vote over to Mr.. Clark
on -he ground that the floor leaders
chances were only slight at the best
in the face of Mr.. BryaE's opposition
and that the logical nominee at this
hour was SpeaR p Clark. Whether the
effort to swing me Underwood vote to
Clark would be successful was a mat
ter of grave doubt.
There is authority for a statement
by a member of TammaE- hall and
concurred in by leaders of Speaker
vote never will go to Wilson and that
Tammany hall would even. prefer
Bryan to the New Jersey governor.
Tho Harmon strength, now reduced
to SO on the twelfth ballot, also was
looked upOn possible acquisition
to Clark. for while the Ohio loyalty to
Harmon is undoubted yet it was not
expected to hold out indefinitely with
the Harmon total rapidly falling off.
One thing seemed to be generally
conceded, that neither TIE Harmon or
Underwood forces would go to Wilson.
The Wilson strength appear to be con-
ical elements already enlisted under
his standard with prospects OF eating
into the more progressive branch of
the Clark contingent if the latter be-
came restless with delay
New York Hurt Harmon.
The statement of W. J. Bryan that