Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1912-06-25


regards Washington as suburb, al
though the national capital has nearly
two-thirds Baltlmore's population. Bet
ter than all, the Maryland city still
boasts the true southern hospitality.
The scene in national convention
of either of the great parties is one
never to be forgotten. 1t Is distinctive
ly American. There is nothing quite
like it in all the rest of the world.
Here we make our rulers, who for
certain fixed period have more abso-
lutte power than any monarch unless 1t
be the czar of all the Russias. Here
we shape the policies that control con-
gress. Here we reorganize the parties
that rule the states.
The prevailing color scheme of any
national convention is made up of the
red, white and blue. Flags and bunt-
ing are everywhere. The tone theme
is one of patriotic music. oratory and
enthusiasm. The contest between the
supporters of the various candidates Is
one of lung power That. of course, is
only the surface of the fight but 1t is
the surface that is seen by the specta-
tor. Down on the floor the delegates
are not doing so much cheering, but
are engaged in a mighty struggle for
votes. But to the onlooker it is a med
lev of color and of sound. The demon
stration when the different candidates
are named is a contest of sheer human
endurance. The partisans cheer till
they are compelled to stop from phys
ical exhaustion. Little flags are waved
by thousands of hands Cheers go up
in a volume of sound that browns the
band and merges the individual voices
into one continuous roar.
Cheering by the Hour.
Now and then will come lull when
the band can be heard family on some
patriotic air. First one voice and then
another will take it up until the entire
vast assemblage is singing. At the
end the cheers burst forth once more
in mightier volume than at first. Min
utes pass, and the uproar continues.
Improvised sessions of delegates march
about the floor. Everything that can
make a noise is brought into requisi-
tion, but the human voice dominates
all the rest. 1t howls, it yells, 1t let's
out Indian warwhoops, it trills, 1t yo-
dels, it hurrahs, after which 1t yells
some more. Some of these demonstra-
tions have lasted an hour. Several Of
them have continued half an hour.
The scene in the various hotels is as
characteristic as that of the convention
hall itself. Here the various candi-
dates and state delegations have their
Headquarters. Here are held the eau
cusses and secret conferences that are
often more potent in deciding the issue
than the actual convention sessions.
Many of these nomination battles have
been fought out i'm the hotels during all
night conclaves. the convention the
next day merely registering the verdict.
In the Democratic convention that
will be called to order by Chairman
Norman T.. Mack on June % there are
to be very few contests. so that there
will be little time taken on the report
| of the credentials committee. The plat
| form will occasion more debate. but
even here there are no great issues dl
yiding the delegates. There will be
some difference Of opinion on few
details. especially on the wool sched
ule Of the tariff plank, but I'm the main
the delegates are already agreed on the
declaration Of principles. William j
Bryan expects to have a hand in fran
ing the platform. as he has had in
framing every Democratic platform
for the past sixteen years.
The platform adopted. the real con
test OF the convention will be on. First
there will be the battle Of the orators
in presenting the candidates. then the
battle Of the ballots in choosing the
man who is TO bear the standard al
/ November and perhaps Is TO be the
head Of the nation for the next fouI
/ years.
who will IL be? Well. any Of the
candidates is a good bet, only don't be-
too much. Also hedge.