Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-16
ROOT FOR PRESIDENT
PROPOSAL SPURNED
New York G. o p. Convention
Resolutions Committee Re-
fuses Endorsement.
WHITMAN FAILS TO GET
PERSONAL LAuDATIoNs
Senator Wadsworth Presides-Com-
mittee Picks Delegates
at Large.

ton. in session here today, decided,
prior to the opening of the convention,
to submit party platform containing
two separate resolutions-one dealing
with national issues and the other
with state issues. the latter containing
an Endorsement of the legislative and
executive administration of the state,
but without mentioning the name of
Gov. Whitman.
This vote was regarded as victory
for the forces led by William Barnes,
who had announced their opposition
TO open Endorsement of the governor
1t followed a wrangle in the commit
tee. which was so prolonged that the
opening Of the convention was delayed.
Refuses to Indorse Root.
1t became known while the commit
tee on resolutions was in session that
Endorsement of former Senator Elihu
Root for the presidency was proposed.
and that it became the subject of long
argument.
Mr.. Roots name was proposed by
John A. Sleicher and Henry L. Stimson
supported Sleicher's motion in a Wig
orous plea in which he argued that
Mr.. Root was the logical candidate.
The matter was the subject of debate
for more than half and hour, after
which a vote was taken and the pro-
posal was defeated.
The convention was called to order at
12 As pm. United States Senator James
w. Wadsworth. jr.. nominated by the
committee on permanent organization.
was unanimously elected permanent
chairman and delivered lis address
Delegates at Large.
Later the committee on delegates at
large reported that it had agreed upon
the following names as the big four:
United States Senator James w. Wads-
worth. Gov. Charles S. Whitman, Fred
erick c. Tanner, chairman of the re-
publican state committee, and State
Senator Elon r. Brown. These names
were to be submitted later to the con-
ventiOn.
Platform Adopted --.-----
DIR. Nicholas Murray Butler. chairman
of the committee on resolutions, was in
troduced and read the tentative platform,
which was adopted.
The resolutions pledge "the support of
patriotic and forward-facing American
ism," the enlargement of nationa,
naval and military establishments
FOR purposes of defense alone"
ready at the command of the
government, coupled with a revision of
the tarin in accordance with republican
principles and with national economy,
Of defense.
Delegates Sharply Divided.
The attitude of the renublic,ns tn
ward Gov. Whitman at the opening of
the convention last night showed a
sharp division between the delegates
Organization men. under the leader
ship of William Barnes and State
Chairman Frederick c. Tenner, declared
their determination to withhold an in :
dorsement of Gov. Whitmans admin
istration on the plea that the coryen-
ton had been called to consider ma
tional affairs only.
Whitman supporters. ON the other
hand, insisted that to refuse an indorse-
ment on the eve of a presidential cam
paign in which the governor is an ad-
mitted factor would be an invitation
to serious split in the party.
Critical Period for U. s.
The United States faces one of the
most critical periods in it's history. and
the destiny of the republic for a CEN
tury to come may well be determined
by the conduct Of the government and
the sentiment Of the people as exer-
cised and expressed during the next
| four years, United States Senator James
W. Wadsworth, jr.. of New York, told
the convention today Senator Wads-
worth addressed the convention as it's
permanent chairman. He declared that
only the European war had saved the
country from being now 'in the deptha
of the blackesr kind of industrial d..
preston" and declared that unless a
protective tariff is created there will
come from foreign sources, after the
signing Of peace. an industrial invasion
such as the country has never vet ex.
perienced.
Senator Wadsworth touched br;eav
upon the democratic policies toward
the Mexican and Philippine Questions.
declaring that. rightly or wrongly"
the people of other nations regard
Americans today as lacking in de-
termination, lacking in virility, shrink
ing from those responsibilities and OBJ
legations which must come to eyary
great nation" The permanent chair.
man said. in part:
SiuCc tnc CIVIL war. have we
been in such dire need of far-seeinR
wisdom and strength at Washington.
1t is not surprising. therefore, that
men and women all over this broad
land are thinking, and thinking yery
deeply, about their country and its
future. 1t will not do for any great
political party to approach the discus
sion that is coming In haphazard or
triffing manner"
Citizens Asked to Judge.
Senator Wadsworth asked the ci,f-
| zens of the country ito Judge of the
soundness and competency of our op-
| ponents who today are hating and
hesitating. impelled by no common pur-
pose. trifing with little things, work
| ing for picayune advantage, compre-
hending nothing that is great and vital
| heIpless1y adrift in ship which bears
| the destinies of America" He declared
| that the Treasurys reserve fund, 'in
spite OF trickery and misleading book
! keeping methods, is conceded to be in
| a precarious condition." and declared
| that the democrats had no program for
.replenishing" the Treasury
The speaker touched briefly upon
military defense, declaring that while
the democrats are attempting to reach
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