Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-06-08
By J. VI. C0LLIGAN.
Especial to The Argus.)

Chicago. June S.-"Boys, the first
ballot will not be taken before Satur-
day" That was the word that Sena-
tor Boies Penrose of Pennsylvania
passed to his state delegation Tuesday
night in the Congress hotel. 1t was
the officia word from the old guard,
the element that is in control of the
republican national convention in
progress at the Coliseum. There have
been limitations that Penrose was not
opposed TO Roosevelt as the nominee
Of the republicans, but from the wise
ones you get an altogether different
story. Penrose is among those of the
old guard who refuse to forget what
the colonel did to the party four years
ago. And they are determined that
Roosevelt shall not be chosen by the
Coliseum convention. The quoted re-
mark of Penrose indicates, however,
that the standpatters are fearful lest
Roosevelt has a secret combination
whereby he could today make possible
the nomination of Hughes on the sec
ond ballot. On the first it is to be ex-
pected that the vote will be divided
among the favorite sons. After that
it is purely speculative in what direc-
ton the votes will drift The stand
patters do not want Hughes. Roose-
welt likewise has been quoted as as
sorting if Hughes is the republican
nominee he will become the candidate
of the moose party. That is believed
by many of the insiders to be purely a
bluff 1t is suspected that in the event
of Hughes winning the nomination
Roosevelt will support him and claim
the credit for his candidacy. Hughes
comes nearer TO standing for the
Roosevelt policies than any other man,
with the possible exception of Borah,
who is seeking the place at the head
of the republican national ticket. Of
course Roosevelt is yet hopeful of
landing the nomination for himself,
but he realizes his chances are wan
ing every hour.
A story that comes out of the east
is to the effect that Hughes was
brought forward by the old guard for
the purpose of putting quietus on the
Roosevelt boom among the republi-
can delegates. The plan was TO side
track Hughes when this had been &C
complished. Now that Hughes has
played successfully the role the stand
patters elected him to fill it is desired
to drop him. But the organization is
in a predicament not unlike the fell
low who had hold of the bulls trolley
They can't let go. Hughes strength
| it is said, is a surprise even to himself
and to his hackers. The organization
has been on the verge of panic since
Monday. Hughes sentiment has been
j spreading like wildfire. The fear is. as
said before. that if the convention de
| cided to begin balloting today the SUI
preme court justice would come under
the wire on the second ballot.
| In the meantime conferences are
being held by emissaries of the repub-
| lican and moose conventions. The
power of Roosevelt is not underesti-
mated by the republican crowd. The
efforts of the next few days will be
devoted to an attempt to so placat'
| the colonel. outside of nomination
| that he will not run as the nominee
of the third party. Senator Borah o.
| Idaho is one of the chief factors in tn,
republican contingent that is seeking
to pacify the Rooseveltisns through
George ". Perkins, who is the prin
| cipal wheel in the moose national CON