Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-06-10

man Robins, and there we're rumors
among the progressive delegates that
a compromise of some kind would be
reached, the word having gone round
to have them in their seats early so the
convention could meet at 10 30 sharp.
George W. Perkins left the confer
ence to go 10 meeting of the repub-
lican and progressive conferees. All
the state chairmen remained in the
conference. 1t was said no word had
yet come from Colonel Roosevelt as
to whether he would accept progress
sove nomination If the republican con-
vention nominated Justice Hughes.
After the conferees had been in SEES
sion about half an hour, George W
Perkins and General Bonaparte left
the club in a taxicab for an unan-
nounced destination.
I'VE are still negotiating" Mr..
Perkins said. Il can't say more now
After a brief conference Mr.. Per-
kins returned to the waiting state
chairrnen and made report which
was not disclosed. He indicated that
he might have another conference with
the republican conferees.
Smoot Gives Proposal
1t was understood that Senator
Smoot had submitted proposal to the
progressives which was placed in writ
ing.
While it was felt in some quarters
that the progressive convention might
nominate Colonel Roosevelt today. It
was also believed that the nomination
of Hughes would not prove wholly OBJ
jectionable to the progressive leaders
and that they might endorse him, Col
onel Roosevelt Withdrawing If he were
named. The meeting of the state chair
men was somewhat stormy. Several OF
the chairmen implied that Chairman
Perkins was not for Roosevelt to the
last trench. Miller of Florida and
Parker of Louisiana resented the crit
icism. Miller left the room, but was
persuaded to return. Parker declined
to address the meeting.
Mr.. Perkins told them that even If
Illinois went to Hughes at the repub-
lican convention it would be INSULT
cient to nominate and that he looked
for a recession in the Hughes strength
on succeeding ballots.
THE tide will turn to Roosevelt, l
think" said Mr.. Perkins.
Predict Early T. R Vote.
William Allen White of Emporia,
Kan, predicted that before the pro-
gressive convention was in session
five minutes, Colonel Roosevelt would
be nominated. The southern delegates
in the conference put up strong hght
against a merger with the republicans
and contended for preserving the pro-
gressive party as political entity. .
Immediately upon the completion OF
the Smoot proposal, Perkins and Z. },
Bonaparte and John McGrath, secre-
tarv to Colonel Roosevelt, took copy
of it to other progressive leaders. The
Smoot proposal involved only the name
of Justice Hughes, it was said. NO at
tempt has been made to use the vice
presidential nomination in erecting a
compromise. -.
Feeling was hopeful among republi-
can leaders that the Smoot proposal
would prove acceptable to the pro
gressive leaders.
! Conferees Firm for Hughes.
Mr. Perkins recited last night s
meeting with the republican conferees
stating that the progressiVes were
again asked for their second choice
candidate for president.
MIR. Perkins announced that the re
publican conferees last night had oil
fered the name of Justice Hughes as
compromise candidate, the republican
members of the committee were moi
unanimous for him. standing three fol
/ Hughes and two against him; that a
this mornings conference the republl
cans were unanimous for Hughes.
AS the delegates came into the con
vention hall from their meeting witt
the progressive peace conferees tht
delegation chairmen were pounced up
on by the delegates and got the wore
that had gone forth that Colone
Roosevelt was to be instantly named
and by reclamation with only forma
vote for record purposes.
! Chairman Robins ordered the stage
hurriedly cleared.
! At 10:43 Chairman Robins begaI
pounding MS SdVel. mere was SNOW
of haste to proceed to nominations be
fore the republican convention SHOULD
convene at II o'clock. About one-thirC
of the delegates were absent when thu
opening gavel banged.
Play for Time.
/ Answering demands for an immeii
ate nomination of Colonel Roosevelt
/ Chairman Robins said the convention
would not proceed to adopt the plat
form or make nominations" withou
( giving the resolutions committee rea
sonable time to report.
The telegram reiterated the appeal
TO the progressive and republican con
ventions.
Il ask you members of the progress
sive convention to make those word:
good by deeds" Colonel Roosevelt said
The decision Of the convention, Mr.
. Perkins added, was of vital importance
, to the country.
/ A long telegram received this morn.
/ ing from Colonel Roosevelt to the pro.
gressive conferees was then read BY
/ Secretary Davis who said a copy haC
baar1 tho