The Washington times., 1915-11-28
WEST MAY. GET.
BIG POLITICAL
CONVENTIONS
G. o. P. Likely to Select st.
Louis While Chicago May Be
Choice Of Democrats.
FRISCO IS A LIVELY BIDDER
Administration Men viii Be
First to Choose and Scan
Horizon for Offer.
BY JUDSON C. WELLIVER.


BY JUDSON C. WELLIVER.
It begins to look like good guess
that the Republican national convention
next year will 60 to ST. Louis. and the
Democratic to Chicago.
This is the judgment OF number Of
politicians who have been considering
the probabilities, in advance of the meet
inEs of the national committees of the
two parties. Despite that the large ma
jority of experienced national conven-
tion goers personally prefer Chicago
Democrats and Republicans alike-it is
predicted with considerable confidence
that both parties will not go to the
first chance to choose, for their com
mittee will meet here on December Z.
and the Republican organization week
later. II the Democrats take Chicago.
somewhere else, and st. Louis is the
strong probability as matters now
stand.
Chicago Is Receptive.
Chicago Is willing to take both con-
ventions, and to give liberal treatment
to the national committees of both par
ties II It can get them. At one time
there was believed to be a pretty good
chance for that town to win both. But
Z Is now pointed out that II both gath
erings came to the same town they
would likely havo to be only a week
apart. Congress wants to conclude It's
business before the conventions; and ad-
journ. II possible. This would mean
rather late conventions. II the decision
should be to fix the conveh,to ion dat e
with reference 10 such a plan. For one
successive weeks is big order even
for so experienced convention center
as Chicago.
The Democratic gathering will doubt
less go wherever President Wilson wants
1t to go. That is the word from Doliti-
clans. and about the only serious con-
dition placed on this dictum Is that the
Democrats. after their Baltimore eN-
that can give them plenty OF rooms
with baths and other facilities This:
together with the Democratic feeling
that the middle West Is going to- be a. an
clines sentiment strongly toward Chi
cGgo.
Show Business Acumen.
Between the two parties there is a
sharp difference as to the consideration
given to bids for their national gath
erings. The Democrats frankly want
to choose the city that will pay best
for the recognition. They need the
money fo- their campaign chest. and
admit 1t. Money Is harder for them
to raise than for the Republicans, and
the convention show Is one Of their
hopes in bclalf OF Dallas. Tex. which
is a determined candidate for the Dem
ocratic con, sntion: 1t Is understood IL
be willing to pay well. If Dallas or or
scme other town should win IN the
nemocratic auction there would be lit
tie doubt OF Chicago getting the Repub-
Five towns have submitted invitations
for the Republican convention.Chicag
st. Louis. Philadelphia. San Francisco
and Honolulu. The territorial commit
tee OF Hawaii has sent on very earn.
est invitation. and announces that II
It doesn't win this time 1t will come
again until 1t wins and sees a Republic
an nomination made out In the Pacihc
San Francisco Is not to be thought
lessly counted out of the running on ac'
count of its remoteness
Frisco q Lively Bidder.
That town Is threatening to submit {
proposition that II will raise a specia
fund of 10000 with which to pay tn
actual railroad expenses of every dele
gate; and officers of the Republican
committee have figured that this sun
would be enough. In addition. Sal
TranClsCO WOulu meet tnc NepuDilCdl
requirement. which Is that the con
ycntion city guarantee n gund of $1,000
for general expenses--hali the immcns
amount of printing. badges, music dec
orations, and other costs. ANY tow
that will submit such a guarantee !
entitled to be listed as candidat
and voted on by' tho national commit
teemcn. The Republicans announf'
with somo superiority that their con
vention Is not on the auction block.
The nrclininAry of tho Re
publican convention next year VIII n
less than usual. These expenses In
clyde the hotel bills. etc. OF the con
vention subcommittee of the natioHd
committee, and also of the entire ma
tional committee during Its session o.
contest cases before the convention
proper meets
Big Bill In Costs.
These contest hearings pile up bi
bill in costs for quarters, service, re
porting, printing. and other things asid
from hotels and travelling. but mex
year the contests will be whttle6 dow
to the detail OF passing on prima fact
credentials. as to form; contests NI
De pretty nearly impossible, In the oil
sense. and such as there are will b
settled by the convention rather tina
by the retiring national committee.
Some political historian has discov
cred that the convention of 1916 will b
the nrSt In tWenty-elBnt years IN Wnlc
more than one ballot will have bee
necessary to nominate a Republica
candidate for President. The last COZ
yention In which there was contes
after the first ballot was that OF 1888 q
Chicago, when Benjamin Harriso
emerged as the winner. Four year
later, at Minneapolis. there was
light: but 1t was settled when the RaI
rison forces adopted their report rroI
the credentials committee. seated theI
Southern delegates. and took posse:
sion. renominating Mr.. Harrison o
the first ballot.
See Long War of Voting.
Four years later Mr.. Mckinley wa
nominated on the first ballot; and
1900 he was renominated by acclamatioI
In 1904 Roosevelt was nominated by az
clamation to succeed himself; and
1908 Taft was named on the first ba
lot. In 1912 he met precisely the fat
that had befallen Harrison: seated hi
al a..