The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-06-02

started real battle in the committee
Barnes was there, but -arnes didn't
count. He sat off in a corner and few
were SO mean as to do him reverence.
Barnes looked like loser and acted
like a loser and the delegates seemed
to take it as a foregone conclusion
that his glory has departed
A Day of Wrangling.
The committee spent the whole day
Thursday in the wrangle over con-
tests. Only that of Georgia was I'M
portant. Meanwhile, things We're be-
ginning to happen with fair degree
of rapidity elsewhere in Chicago.
George W. Perkins. Horace S Will
kinson and John McGrath of New
York. came in and flew to the assist
ance of Herbert Satterlee and George
Won L. Meyer in the direction of the
Roosevelt campaign. Mr.. Perkins is
sued a statement in which he asserted
that it is to the interest of the whole
country that Mr.. Roosevelt be nomi-
mated. Furthermore, he began put
ting forth earnest efforts to prevent
any premature nomination of the colo
mel by the Progressives. Some of the
latter want to name roosevelt and go
home the first day. Perkins thinks
this would not be fair to the Republi-
cans, inasmuch as it would put a third
party in the field before the Republi-
cans had any chance to offer the olive
branch
1t is quite safe to believe that these
efforts of Mr.. Perkins will succeed
and that the Progress1veS will not be
hasty in choosing a nominee.
Steam Roller Out.
Smoot, Hilles and the astute Indiana
brethren who are at present behind
boys to tighten up" Whereupon,
they got out the steam roller, busted it
off, got up steam and trundled it to
the convention hall. There it did the
execution already described.
The Hughes followers, having been
attacked separately. united for pro-
lection during the day. There was
less fussing at Hitchcock, who went to
the Colosseum as resident manager of
the Justices hopes and aspirations.
He hadn't been there long before
somebody sprung on him another of
the letters Justice Hughes has writ
ten declaring his extreme distaste for
dragging his ermine in the political
mire The letter was written to for
mer Governor Z. c. Stokes of Nav
Jersey. 1t said:
1T seems to me very clear that as
no right to be candidate either open
ly or pasSively. l cannot remain work
ing here and hold an equivocal posi-
ton before the country. L must.
therefore, ask that no steps be taken
to bring my name before the coAven-
tion.''
This letter. written a little more
than a year ago. May 20, 1915, to be
explicit, brings more nearly up-to-date
the judges determination to stick to
the bench, be temptation what it may.
He Keeps Silent.
1t was circulated about the dele
gates in the hopes that it would bat
ter some sort of a declaration out OF
the justice. But though some of his
friends apprised him by telegraph OF
what was doing, he made no reply that
was given out for publication.
John McGrath, the colonePs Sec
rotary, got here Thursday. He smiled
when he was asked if the colonel was
candidate for the Republican nom
ination.
of course, he's a candidate" said
John. lis there anyone around here
who has any doubt it?'' ~
| After adding that he was here tic
look after the colonefs interests in al
| parties. McGrath went into executive
session with the Progressive leaders.
With the decision of the nationa
committee to pursue the same tactics
| they did four years ago. the proSpeci
of discord and dissension is hourly
Frightening.
Hughes and Roosevelt are still the
leading candidates. In fact, they are
the only candidates which anyone here
believes have a chance. But the
allies" will remain behind theil
favorite sons till the convention opens
and probably through the first couple
| of ballots.
Then, with the bosses in control
terms will be exacted with the sup
porters of the two leaders and there
will be chickering's, trades and bar
gains until either Roosevelt or Hughes
develop their full following At thai
juncture the bosses will extend theiI
good offices as mediators and unles.
unforeseen developments occur, the
nominee will be picked.
The Final Picking.
The picking will not be done in con
vention by any means. 1t will be done
in the little old back room as formerl,
and delegates will be inquiring the
name of the nominee up to the houl
of the deciding ballot.
1t seems now almost certain there
will be no nominating before Friday
All other details, vice presidential can
didates, platform, fights over nationa
committeeman have been subordi
| mated
| Delegates have begun to buzz will
excitement The old guard, sitting il
private session, are summoning mel
and issuing orders. Hitchcock is do
ing his best to rally the Hughes mel
to his own banner. Perkins and tn,
other Progressives, dividing their tim,
between two conventions, are using al
possible pressure on the Republican,
to take their man. And now tina
there is really a fight, the prospect
n he a7tr II,