The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1912-06-16


undertook TO say tonight what "A day.
an hour. "A minute might bring forth.
The fact h that there In a situation
In Chicago now Unprecedented In
American politics and no human being
can tell what will be Its outcome. The
hottest battles In former conventions
of any party seem almost insignifi-
cant compared with that which is cul-
minatlng here.
1t IL impossible to question the ac-
cession of confidence ON the part OF
the anti-Taft forces which dated from
the arrival of Mr.. Roosevelt. Whether
1t has substantial foundation no one
can say. Mr.. Roosevelt himself came
on the scene smiling. waving his now
famous hat to the cheering crowds,
and II his confidence was feigned II
bore all the appearance OF reality.
The Taft people welcomed him with
statement on the part of Campaign
Director Mckinley, declaring Roosc-
velt's pilgrimage to Chicago repre-
sented "the last big bluff OF IA defeated
candidate"
Has Colonel Roosevelt helped his
cause by coming personally to Chi
cago? To this question there were
many answers The Roosevelt ad-
herents admitted never doubt that
It has made his nomination u certain
ty. Nobody could honestly question
the accession Of enthusiasm In his
following which marked his arrival
but the Taft leaders profess to be-
lieye that he has come too soon: that
In the two days which remain before
the convention begins the atmosphere
will cool and the situation relax into
one OF "plaln politics" In which part,
discipline and inexorable mathematics
will resume their wonted sway.
Enthusiasm is all right" said ont
of the Taft leaders. ''but never for.
get that n delegate IL u delegate, and
1t IL delegates that make nomina'
tions."
Compromise Talk Dies Down.
/ There virtually was no talk toda,
OF compromise candidate, though tn,
cummins people continued their quie
propaganda and the La Toilette con
tingent lay low. like Br'er Rabbit.
Nor was there much serious talk to
day of Roosevelt bolt; though til,
subject was by no means forgotten
1T won't be necessary. Roosevelt hai
the nomination cinched," said tn,
Roosevelt people.
"They will get into the bandwagon
this Is their dying gasp" stoutly as
serted the Taft men.
1t seemed likely tonight that tn,
opening OF the convention would b.
comparatively peaceful. The firs
test. It IL thought. will not come or
the question OF temporary chairman
1t IL on the selection OF the commit
tee on credentials that the break |.
expected. To that committee goes tn.
appeal from the decisions OF the ma
tional committee and the making o
the permanent roll OF the convention
III the Taft people try To put thi,
thing over through the committee. yol
Will see the fun begin" said one OF tn,
Roosevelt leaders.
The high spot" In the ante-conven
tion situation came this afternoon
when Colonel Theodore lRoosevelt ar
rived from New York, received q wei
come from a crowd OF delegates ant
admirers and then went into confer
ence with his general staff" Th'
national committee at 9:l5 y. m. FIN
ished Its hearing Of contests for seat
In the temporary makeup OF the con
vention. After the committee hal
concluded Its iabors. Director McKinle!
gave out a table claiming . total o
go delegates tor Taft-S0 more tina,