The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1916-06-16

Senator Harding had no desire to sti
up anything much with his address
for the old-line leaders had not ye
discovered just how they could say,
the party by accomplishing the defea
OF the Democrats next November.
An Undercurrent of Fear
Beneath the smooth surface of events
in the Coliseum was apparent to the
close observer a distinct undercurrent
of fear-fear of what the Progressives
would and would not do. The latter
had gone into convention with the
frankly and loudly expressed intention
of nominating Colonel Roosevelt and
no one else. Moreover, they intended
to force his nomination on the Repub
licans The Republicans were split
into two great camps. One, the "al-
lies" was made up of the forces sup
porting the dozen or more "favorite
sons" The other included the sea
soned men whose purpose, seemingly.
was the prevention of Roosevelt s
nomination. To bring this about. they
were willing to support Charles e.
Hughes.
The allies were ready to give each
of their candidates a fair chance, and
then proposed to combine on one-but
which one they couldn't determine
Meanwhile, in the Auditorium, the
radical Progressives were clamoring
to nominate the colonel at once and
let the Republicans indorse him or go
through the experience of four years
ago, and only the strenuous efforts of
George w. Perkins and few other
wise ones held them in check to await
the peace negotiations that were to
come later, and come in vain.
No wonder that fear ruled. It looked
as though the man down at Oyster Bay
held in the hollow of his hand the
fate of both parties. and he sat there
nearly as silent as the associate jus
tice. To be sure he did send word
that he would be pleased to come and
address the Republican convention if
it desired to hear him, but no such de-
sire was manifested.
So the first session moved quietly
spontaneous burst of enthusiasm was
that which greeted the announcement
by Sergeant at Arms Stone that
thousand automobiles, provided by
Mayor Thompsons committee, were
waiting outside to convey the dele
gates to their hotels.
What the Women Won.
On Thursday, though the rain con-
tinued undated, the convention added |
a touch of color to its mourning garb |
state of mind in recognition of the |
platform that was pre-
5ented by the scholarly Senator Lodge |
N behalf of the committee on resolu-
ions. To be sure there was nothing
startling in that platform, nor any
hing very unexpected, If you except
he plank on woman suffrage. And
here was where Senator Lodge de-
yeloped an unexpected vein Of sar
ionic humor 1.-THE Republican party"
lie read, with some fourishes inserted
'favors woman suffrage"-he paused
md many of his hearers. especially
he women, cheered loudly for a min
lte-"but recognizes the right of each
tate to settle this question for itself,
concluded the senator. Louder than
yer was the shouting that greeted
his, but it was derisive, and all clut-
cred up with laughter.
And yet the women had won a gen.
line victory in obtaining even this
ualified Endorsement of their cause.
nd felt well rewarded for their effort
f the day before. That effort, their
arade down Michigan boulevard, was
n exhibition of nerve unequaled dur
1g the week, unless one except the
of certain of the presidential
spirants The rain and wind swept
cross the boulevard until the march
RS could scarcely keep their feet. to
ay nothing of carrying their numerous
anners. and yet they marched un-
over five thousand strong,
,aving a trail of wrecked umbrellas
nd banners all the way to the Coli
sum. 1t was much more impress
We exhibition of their faith than If
IN times as many had made the
arch on fair day
Strong Platform Adopted.
Returning to the convention and its
atform, it should be noted that the
ank devoted to preparedness called
# nearly all the most ardent advo- ,,
tie of national protection could ask
navy strong and ready, an adequate .
my and system of military training .
r reserves-and this plank was re-
lived with manifest approval. SO.
o, was the reference to the Demo .
attic plan to relinquish the Philip
nes Altogether, it seemed the plat .
rm should enlist the support of al !;
ost any Republican, however pro- !,
essive he may be.
Senator Lodge concluding, forth
me brave young man from Wis
nsin, Of the name Of Gross, and pre-
nted minority report. 1t contained
g well-known views of Senator La ~
,llette on economic and social ques-
ms, and especially did it contain
ank calling for an embargo on the . =
ipment of munitions to the warning
tjOns of EurOpe Mr. Gross was