The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-06-16
Republican Convention In the
Air From Beginning,
Two FIGURES DOMINEEREO
Leaders Aiways Trailed, and For First
Time In Ysars Delegates Were In
Absolute Control-Thoss Who Have
Dictated 10 Former Conventions 10
norsd This Time.
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.

washington. June 16.-ISpecial. lin
many respects the Republican national
convention of 1915 has been one OF the
most interesting gatherings of the kind
held. Not since 1888 has there been
as much real doubt as TO the outcome
and at the same time 40 much conf
dence as to the nominee by the best
political observers.
That seems like a paradox. but the
situation was such hat certain declara-
lions by the two most important figures
OF the convention might mt any time
have thrown the wheels out OF gear
and sent all the machinery flying
hither and yon.
Il was a convention where a few
words from n or two men would
have upset the most confident predic-
lions Of men who make 1t a business
to forecast political a~ssemblages Of this
character.
When the Leaders Trailed.
The most interesting feature OF the
convention was the fact that 1t was
n where the leaders trailed, where
the bosses sought to do the will of the
people. Much fun was made OF Sen
ator Penrose's statement that It was
a Embossed convention" and yet that
was the fact, for the bosses were not
potential In shaping the final outcome.
Men who have been prominent In
shaping national conventions In time
passed waited patiently for the dele
gates to decide what they wanted to
do. As a matter OF fact, most OF the
delegates came to the convention with
a well defined idea Of what the people
wanted and were determined 10 carry
out their wishes.
Willing Workers.
Many willing workers came to Chi
cago q few days before the conven-
ton opened and continued on the Job
faithfully until their efforts were un-
avaiung. 1t seemed as II they sprang
from every part OF the country, AS II
q bugle call had been sounded. They
were earnestly working for Elihu
Root, but 1t seemed they started too
late.
1t must be acknowledged that they
put forth many reasons why Root
would be a great president at this par
ticular time. but there was a general
expression among many men, mostly
from the middle west. that he could
not be elected.
Roosevelt Might Have Been.
For many days Roosevelt might have
been a power In the conventions; he
might have been the Warwick Of the
gathering. Generally 1t was stated
that II at any time Roosevelt had ex-
pressed a preference for any candidate
and said that he would support such
q candidate that man would have been
chosen. And yet 1t was not a Roose-
welt convention. He did not have the
solid substantial support which lined
up for him in 1912.
Could Make Trades.
I'm some respects remarked former
Senator Sanders Of Tennessee, "this
convention reminds me OF that Of four
years ago. / was one OF the managers
that tried to arrange a compromise
candidate. but we found that we could
not deliver the delegates. II they were
released from Taft they would not &c
to a candidate Of our selection, bu.
many Of them would have gone to
Roosevelt and nominated him. The
delegates In this last convention were
not subject to trades and could be de-
livered for n man o another. They
voted as they were instructed, but once
released went where they pleased"
The Shifting Tide.
One Of the interesting features Of the
convention was the changed attitude