Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-02
no one can count definitely on their
action.
Swinging to Wilson.

In these dispatches-no, let's call EN-
letters to the home folks--we will try to
give plain If somewhat wearied and
droopy-eyed account of the game as 1t
rolls
Tis no time for fancy writing. Even
the reverend gentleman who offered the
opening prayer realizes that folks are In
no mood for words and cut his invocation
short. So we start at noon intent upon
getting somewhere and getting there soon.
When Illinois comes across with fifty
eight votes for Wilson there is only
feeble cheer. Fact is, we are almost out
of cheers. Then news flashes around the
hall that Virginia will come to Wilson
pretty soon. People only raise their eye
brows and say "So."
Michigan chips in with twenty-eight
for Wilson and some facetious person
gets up and says: Let's make it unan
imous for Wilson and go home
When Virginia is reached Senator Swan
son announces the switch to Wilson and
the convention braces up and INDUCES in
a couple of minutes Of cheering.
Up to this point Wilson has gained
lightweight votes over the last ballot Of
last night.
Then comes West Virginia with sixteen
more for Wilson, and again there is an
outburst Of enthusiasm which quickly
subsidies.
The Wilson people have tasted blood
and want more.
Wilson Lacks 1874 Votes.
With Clarks strength caving in like
the river banks Of the Mississippi in
June freshet, the forty third ballot ends,
and shows Wilson within 124 votes of the
goal.
The forty-fourth ballot starts amid
GREATNESS expectancy. Can we get the
others?" ask the Wilson men.
No %all n fyyoh or q cl he Ply
men.
Promptly comes Colorado with gain Of
nine for Wilson.
On the forty-fourth ballot Wilson is
here a vote, there a vote. He can see
the top. Can he reach 1t? Scurrying
around the hall are the Clark men try
ing to kick the ladder from under
Wilson.
AS we look down from the press seats
on the mass Of delegates we can see the
delegations caucusing in excited man.
ner. Pleadings. exhortations and argu-
ments are used.
Hanging in the Balance.
Getting down to the state OF WASH
ington, the coveted nomination is hang
ing in the balance. It is almost in reach
of Wilson, the man who was running far
behind until Bryan put the curse on
Champ Clark. Single votes count big
now, just as they did in Chicago in some
Of the close issues.
Washington state demands a roll call
on account OF a mtx-up over proxies. In
tensely dramatic Is the scene as the dele
gates announce their choice between
Clark and Wilson. the great crowd In the
galleries and on the floor keeping still,
so that every response Is heard. Clark
corners the state by application Of the
unit rule.
On the total Wilson gains twenty-seven.
He is still ninety-seven votes short.
Fight for Half Votes.
So the afternoon drags along, the dele
gates fighting not only for votes, but for
half votes, since in some delegations the
votes are thus divided.
The outstanding votes are very precious;
these are Harmon's twenty-five, Foss'
twenty-seven and Underwood's ninety
seven. which, If they can be obtained,
would turn the trick
The ballot is announced. Wilson gains
four, which brings him up to 633. and
now he needs 81 Clark has 3O6 (the
same number that Grant had to the enO.
Underwood Withdraws.
Underwood gives up at 2:21, Senator
Bankhead taking the platform.
'sVice PRESIDENT shouts a delegate.
NO." cries Bankhead. He must stay
where he is: he has a mans work cut
out for him in the House.
At 2:30 John Fitzgerald Of Boston says
that New York and Massachusetts, are
going to Wilson and make 1t upanimous.