Evening star., 1915-04-10
G.O.P.F|ELD OPEN
TOFAVOR|TE SONS
"OId Politician" Foresees a
Great Contest in the 1916
Convention.
PRIMARIES ARE EXPECTED
TO ADD TO COMPLICATION
Thinks Conditions Are Parallel to
Those Which Existed Prior to
Convention Of 1885,

Convention Of 1883.
THE next republican national con-
rention promises to be like the Chi
rago convention of 1885," said the old
politician, as he reflectively stroked
fhe nap of his beaver hat and replaced
IL on his head at a tenth-ward angle.
THAT was the last of the open con-
yentions where the favorite sons bat
tied for victory, and no human being
knew when we went into 1t who would
be the nominee.
Everything now points to Just such
another assemblage. We know at this
time that there will be many candi-
dates. that no individual has a running
start of another. and the man doesn't
live whose forecast can now name the
winner 1t seems to be agreed by com
mon consent that 1t will be an open
convention, and it is certain that all
of the leaders are determined to have
II so
Nineteen Starters in 1888.
"In that convention OF 1888 there
were nineteen entries as I remember,
of favorite sons. subsequent dark
horses and selling platers I mind
the big lights. There were Benjamin
Harrison of Indiana, Judge Walter Q.
Gresham of Illinois, William B. Alli-
son of Iowa. Russell A. Alger of Michi-
gan. Hawley of Connecticut. Hartranft
of Pennsylvania, Cnauncey NJ. Depew
of New York, William Walter Phelps
of New Jersey, James G. Blaine of
Maine, for whom California voted on
several ballots. despite his prean-
nounced declnation William Window
of Minnesota and John Sherman. Will
liam Mckinley and Joseph B. Foraker
OF Ohio. | forget the others.
An open convention. such as that
one. and as the next promises to be, is
surely source of uncertainty, place
of pitfalls, ambush, snares and delu
sions. where most anything may hap
pen. The result turns upon seeming
trif1es very often. But the next con-
yention will have still further elements
of uncertainty in its composition. grow
ing out of the selection of delegates
by direct primaries In fourteen states,
Including. significantly enough. suffi-
cient number of big states to consti-
tute a numerical majority of the con-
vention. If all their delegates are SINH
1arly instructed, which is not likely to
be the case. however.
Likely to Back Root
In 1888 New York went to the con-
Vention bent upon debating the nomi-
nee, although 1T supported a 'favorite
SON whom at heart II had no conf
dence OF nominating. New York will
go to the next convention with the
same determination and in much the
same circumstances. New York will
have a favorite. very probably Senator
Root, but if Senator Root cannot be or
will not allow himself to be made the
candidate. watch New York's smoke
and shift your helm to head up for the
winner in the way she points her prov.
"In 1883, when the New York state
convention met in Buffalo to select
delegates to the national convention,
was there booming Judge Gresham,
who. though an Indiana man, was on
the federal bench in Illinois, and had
been taken up by Illinois as its favor
tie son, to the neglect of Cullom.
Il went to see Thomas c. Platt in
Judge Gresham's behalf The easy
boss was prompt and decisive. He
said New York was for Depew and
could not talk about alternatives Then
i besieged Warner Mill, co-boss with
Platt, in Judge Gresham's behalf, but
found him obdurate.
MY SON. he said. we are going to
Chicago to name the candidate. If
will dictate the man who is named.
That's why you ought to take
Gresham, | suggested. The prairies
are on fire for him.
Knew Prairie Fires.
Yes, 7 know about your prairies
Gres.' said Miller. They make lot Of
smoke, burn over considerable ground
and then die out.
We'll. had an open convention
all right We fought all. through the
week and Saturday adjourned until
Monday BY that time Mr.. Blaine had
cabIed from Scotland his message to
William p Frye reiterating his dec
lination TO be a candidate.
iowa, which was at that time in the
Ehroes Of anti-railroad legislation. issued
4 statement that Iowa could not support
4 man affiliated with railroads. as was
oepew. That statement made New York
mad II was generally believed that up
10 that time Allison was New York's sec
ord choice, but the delegation resented
what they regarded gratuitous in
tult-
over Sunday. John c. New, who was
Harrison's manager. did some good work
with the delegations. and word was
passed around that New York was for
delegates falling over each other for the
Indiana man. Gresham. who considered
himself Indiana's son. took the blow to
hea r. Soon after he went over to the
democrats. and later occupied a place in
CleyeIands cabinet.
Last Open Convention.
There were more open conventions
in 1892 Harrison the logical candi-
date for denomination. In 1896 Mckin-
ieys nomination the result of care
fu and systematic preliminary work by
D group Of past masters In politics. In
1900 Mckinley WAS renominated by ac-
clamation; in 1904 Roosevelt was the
logical candidate. The convention Of 1908
been called an open convention, because
plodel six cylinder steam roller did the
work. In 1912-well. let's forget IT.
Now. we face the new problem Of Sc
lection of delegates by the primaries
1n these states: North Dakota. South
Dakota. Michigan. Wisconsin. Illinois,
Pennsylvania. Nebraska, Massa achu :
setts. Ohio. Oregon. Maryland, Cali
iornia, New Jersey and Georgia.
But wait minute: that makes all
the more for an open convention Diff
1erent districts in the same state may
have conflicting choice of candidates
so that a state that IL not completely
boss ridden may split its vote for sew
eral men. Oh, it's going to be an open
convention, all right, and who will say y
that II Is net a good thing and likely