The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-06-11

form most OF the insiders had heard
that the Colonel had offered Lodge 90
an acceptable substitute for himself
as the nominee OF the convention
smoot and Crane, who have been
on the bridge since the beginning of
this weary voyage. Immediately got
into action. There was much look
ing, for Lodge was not to be found.
In little while. however. after Hitch
cock had been sent out on scouting
duty, the chiefs knew that the Lodge
suggestion would make no difference.
Lodge No stampede Maker.
Lodge is not exactly a man to start
neutrality-suspicious. a stampede.
And thorough search revealed that he
was not In the house trying to work
up boom for himself
: Then. and only then. was the i'm
posing Ohio chairman, Senator Hard
ing, given the word to start the gavel
hammering and get things under way.
The delegates came 10 order in
stantly. They were filled with en-
thusiasm. Some OF them, having
heard rumors OF all sorts flying
around, nppeu against nope tjldA a
row of some kind might be on.
When Senator Root, on the request
Of the chair. walked down tbs bridge
and confronted the delegates with a
sheaf Of papers in his hands there
was breathless silence.
He said: Il have a communication
to make"
He read: ION behalf OF the Repub-
lican conferees I present for your con-
sideration as their candidate for Presi-
dent Justice Charles e. Hughes"
There was an interval of well-bred APP
plause. When this had subsidized Sem
ator Smoot observed that in his
opinion Mr.. Hughes had the character
and ability needed In such q candidate
and that he was available first be-
cause he was supported by the present
Governor of New York and the ma
tority Of the New York delegation;
second. because he had been removed
by his judicial position from any par
ticipation in the frightfulness OF 1912.
which had sundered the party and
made dangerous enmities.
Amid polite silence, Smoot oonhnu-
ed. that with the adoption of Re-
publican platform on which all parties
could stand, he felt that it was a good
time to get together.
He then fumbled among the papers
in his hand and produced a. second.
Here" he said. rs a. communication
from Colonel Roosevelt" Somebody
hearing tho magic name set up
screech In the galleries. A cop, school
ed in his duties early in the day. sup
pressed the disturber with a threat OF
violence
The Senator proceeded to read the
Roosevelt communication.
The delegates were interested. but
not enthusiastic. The crowd in the
gallery began searching the Massa-
chusetts delegation for Lodge. eU-
IDENTITY expecting that he would rise
and blush and bow. But Lodge was
not among his brethren.
Communication Is Tabled.
When the buzz OF talk following the
reading OF the letter had died away,
Smoot announced that the Roosevelt
communication had been laid on the
table in the Progressive convention,
and suggested that the same procedure
in the Republican convention. There
being no objection, as the writer's of
minutes say. 1t was 80 ordered.
There now fell the sort of pause
that comes in all conventions before
what a distinguished editorial writer
would call big stuff comes off.
W mar was Ep4iIk 70 iihPpthE nc
big audience was curious. And 1t Is
no violation of confidence TO say that
most OF the delegates were still more
curious.
1.-The chair" eaid Senator Harding,
in voice bigger than the need of the
occasion really demanded. announces
that the next order OF business is the
taking of ballot Before the bal
lot is proceeded with the chair has
great pleasure in introducing Senator
Weeks" All eyes shifted to Senator
Weeks. who was directly behind the
chairman. a large powerful man with
moustache. a bald head and the
same air of resignation that lay like
pail over the whole place.
Real noise broke out now. Tho
Massachusetts boys were TO be set free
from the trammels OF the primary
pledge. 1t became apparent that
somebody would be nominated and
there would Eoon be a chance to get
out into the open air,
Senator Weeks Withdraws.
TT is quite apparent" said Senator
Weeks. that this convention prefers
another than ! as its candidate. Not
wishing to delay the proceedings, !,
therefore. withdraw and ask the men
who have supported me to follow the
dictates OF their own consciencea And
hope they win Join me in doing their
utmost for the candidate OF this con-
vention."
Az certain sounds, Indicative of
sympathy. were heard IN various parts
of the house Senator Weeks took a
step toward the delegates and cried:
And want you to know there are
no political scars on me" Where
upon there were more cheers, and
good, hearty ones
Hardly had Weeks left the speak
ers' platform before up popped Con-
gresham Rodenberg. of Illinois, for
the purpose of unleashing the Illinois