Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-05

Concerning the situation general
ly, Senator Penrose said: THE great
majority of the delegates are still of an
open mind and are ready to do the
thing that is best for the nation and
the party. 1t will probably be Friday
or Saturday before a ballot is taken.
In order to prevent the convention
from running over Sunday, night ses-
sions will be held if necessary"
rs there anything in the story that
the Old Guard leaders are charging
you with flirting with Roosevelt?" he
was asked.
There is no truth in that. I am
still of an open mind, and want to do
what is best for the party and the
country. l hope that this convention
after due deliberation and conference
will name as it's candidate for Presi-
dent a man who will unite the party
and carry it to success in November.
1t is my purpose in keeping aloof from
any candidate to be able to aid in the
naming of such a candidate when the
time arrives"
Concerning the chairmanship of
the Pennsylvania delegates, the Sena-
tor said that he would have between
90 and so votes and would not be sur
prised If he was unopposed for the
position, which has always been ac-
corded the senior senator of Pennsyl-
Vania by the Republicans.
Congressman Griest and his coll
league in the convention four years
ago voted for Justice Hughes, and it is
known that the Congressman is very
much inclined to do the same in this
convention. If it shall appear that no
nomination is likely to be made on an
early ballot the two Lancaster dele
gates may give complimentary vote
to Governor Brumbaugh.
Lieutenant Governor McClain in
commenting upon the situation, said:
After chatting with q number of my
friends in the Pennsylvania delegation
and from other States l am convinced
that the atmosphere is strongly tor
Justice Hughes, and l would not be
surprised to see him become the nomi-
nee. There are not enough delegates
however, for any one to form a posi-
tive Judgment. and developments of
the next two days may change the as
pect of the situation"
Senator Oliver, of Pittsburgh. who
will probably be unopposed as Penn
sylvania's member on the resolution
committee, in chatting with State Sen
ator Brown, of New York, predicted
that Pennsylvania would likely de-
mand radical changes in the primary
laws affecting the election of delegates
to national conventions.
The only people we find in Penn
sylvania who favor the popular system
of selection of national delegates are
the A. B. C.'s, or those whose names
begin with letters at the top of the
alphabet, and are given the exception
al advantage. Under the law the
names of candidates are printed al
phabetically on the ballot and on a
lengthy list such as we had in Penn
! sylvania in the recent primaries. Many
voters marked the first IL names rath-
er than go through the entire list to
make selections"
! A bitter fight for party supremacy
was settled here on Saturday when at
a meeting of the Democratic standing
committee of Cumberland county, at
Carlisle, County Treasurer Robert w.
PETER, of Boiling Springs, was elected
chairman for the year by a vote of 33
to "a over d. p. Finkenbinder, Plain
! field, the former official. The contest
began two weeks ago, when a meeting
was called, but was adjourned because
not been issued, and has been bitter
| ly fought on both sides. PETER repre-
sents the younger wing of the party.
John E. Myers of Camp Hill, and E. P.
| Conley, of Lower Allen, were re-elect-
ed secretaries, and James E. Caroth-
ers, of Carlisle, treasurer.