Evening journal., 1912-04-16
REPUBLICANS
EARLY ON The
BATTLEFIELD
Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL

special 10 lhE EVENING JOOhNAi<.
DOVER, Del. April l6.-For the night
before a Republican State convention,
last night was very quiet and unevent-
ful here. The big crowd of delegates and
onlookers did not arrive until this morn
ing. Probably the lack of excitement
and buttonholing was due to the fact
that the primaries of Saturday had been
so decisively one way--an overwhelming
expression of Taft sentiment, in which
was only small leayen Of Roosevelt
sentiment
The advance guard of last night was
very peaceful. No signs OF belligerency
were apparent Even DR.. Caleb r. Lay
ton, Robert G. Houston and Senator l..
A. DreNler, the Roosevelt advocates, were
quiet aud amicsble and sat about and
chatted with State Chairman Edmund
Mitchell, Congressman William II. Heald,
4. B. Shurter, Colonel George A. Elliott
and others here representing the Taft
ADVOCATES who accept the Saturday pri-
maries as representing Republican senti-
ment in this State.
Mr.. Houston was not claiming more
than ten or a dozen delegates from Sus-
sex in favor of Roosevelt. Five Of those,
he said, were elected on a strsightout
contest as Roosevelt men. He had heard,
he said, of FIVE or seven more since then
who were for Roosevelt. There were in
timations that an attempt might be made
in the Sussex caucus or convention to
try TO stampede things by "Rah for
Teddy" shout, but State Chairman Nit
chell and other party leaders recognized
as the Taft champions, said they had no
fear Of such a scheme. The Delaware
delegation to be selected today would 90
unpledged, they asserted, although the
platform, dealing entirely with national
issues, would leave no doubt that Della
ware Republicanism stands behind Presi-
dent Taft and his successful administra-
tion and its accomplishments.
The Republican State Committee was
called to order shortly after o'clock by
Chairman Mitchell II was not in ses-
sion long. A rough draft of the proposed
platform was talked over but The com
pletion Of it was left until morning. 1t
was understood that Senator Henry A
dupont was the master hand in shaping
the plank commencing the Taft admin
istration.
The State Committee decided upon
/ Sylvester d. Townsend, Jr., of Whining
ton, for temporary chairman of the con
vention, and Thomas S. Lewis, of vii
mington. as secretary. Aside from that
no business was transacted.
The committeeman present included
Chairman Mitchell, Colonel George A
Elliott, f. B. Shurter, Joseph c. Jolls
Colonel A. B. Conner, General A. r. Ben
son, David S. Clark, John NJ c. Moore
Captain Harry V. Lyons, and Kent Coun
ty Chairman z. w. jenkins. Governor
D. S. Pennewill, Congressman William
H. Heald. Ruby R. Vale and Thomas S
mittee meeting for a few minutes. DR.
Caleb r. layton, a member Of the com
mittee, sat in the Hotel Richardson cor
ridor chatting with friends while III
committee was in session.
There were a few booms talked Of
a passing way. Representative Everett
G. johnson, of Newark, was here wit
his Congressional boom. Congessme
/, Head was here looking after his fence
! Il was said that David S. Clark Of Ke
ton, had heard the Congressional b
, buzzing, and Senator Drexler admittt
that he had some Congressional sspiri
> tions, too. The General Benson and Co
onel Conner booms for Governor wei
. heard from every once in a while.
Governor Pennewill. regarded by h
friends as a strong Senatorial possibilit,
circulated freely among those her
, United States Senator Harry A. Ricl
/ ardson, who has been unwell and in d,
yer for several days, greeted some Of h
friends in State street, but said he wa
not taking any part in the political gam
! Of last night or today
Z Cornelius P. Swain and a big delegs
/ tion came up from Bridgeville wearin
/ badges inscribed Uncle NelPs Youn
Mems Republican Club" MIR. Swat
was elected on Saturday as a delegat
: to the State Convention.
Z Insurance Commissioner Charles
Maull mingled with the Republicans
J the hotel during the evening