The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1919-10-24
TIE OBSERVATORY
/ AA&kkkkk&RA k%& h !
The OBSERVATORY

- kkkk&R& A@ Il 4
III THE ORSERVATORY !
49, = \ \ + ~ X k%kkk 4 4
Thia abserxer is interested in Mas
sachusetts politics and particularly a.
they affect national interests; the Re
publican state convention of that STATE
held in Boston the 4th inst. was in.
teresting and worthy of study; Sena.
tor Cabot Lodge IS generally SUP,
posed to represent the Republican
principles OF that state, and in a gen.
eral way to be the party leader; he
went here from Washington from the
league Of nations struggle, supposedly
to see shat the party convention lined
up perfactly. The might before" is
always the tune then the real work is
done in such things; the present writer
has mingled in such scenes in Boston
and recalls the night before Gen. Ben
Butler was defeated; as that was a
historic time so this last convention
win undonhtedly be so considered.
The committee on the platform was
in session; of course Senator Lodge
desired fo9have his course on the pro-
posed afnendments to the treaty in
dorsed; what has long been known as
the "Dissenters' Conscience" in Eng
Land, reflected by the religious senti-
ments and convictions of the Free
Churches of that country. has is
counterpart in the church sentiments
of Massachusetts,, and the gatherings
Of the various denomina tons in that
state during the past six months has
made it plain that the great mass of
the Protestant people favored the
tneaty and league as the best possible
result of the peace conference.
Present Resolutions.
Former Governors John L. Bates
and w. Mearray Crane are two promi-
nent leaders in those church ranks.
They knew the sober, well-considered'
views of the churches. and were on
hand with suitable resolutions to GO
into the party platform; one advo-
caring immediate acceptance of the
treaty without amendments was Of
fered by Ex-senator Crane, who urged
its adoption, and lgf>it be known that
failure to report it as part of the plat
form would mean fight on the floor
of the convention; after many hours
deliberation it was reported Just as
Senator Crane offered It, part of the
platform, and Immediately unanimo GUS
ly adopted by the convention, Senator
Lodge sitting by, which must have
been one OF the most bitter hours of
his Life; he, the elegant. superb, Bos-
ton. Harvard, Massachusetts scholar
and Orator, sit there and see his
chosen amendments quietly con-
demned under the leadership of al
Methodist steward and Congrega-
tional deacon. When Senator Crane
offered his resolution the night before
to the platform committee and let it be
understood that failure to incorporate
it would mean a party split and fight,
one of Senator Lodges supporters re-
Piled Then it's. a fight" but when the
platform was reported and adopted
not word of protest was heard. But
next followed what think cannot be |
seen in hardly any other state in our
country Senator Lodge was to make |
the, leading address, and proceeded to :
do it, ignored the action of the con-
vention and made a most eloquent,
polished and earnest advocacy of his
proposed amendments to the treaty.
and the delegates cheered and .cheeredl
him to the acho. But the platform |
stood the shock, other business was
done, speeches made, the platform
which practically condemned his
course was tacitly endorsed; the dele
gates went home more or less pleased
and Senator Lodge went back to
Washington to see his amendments
slaughtered the next week.
Still Vote for Lodge.
Do you suppose that If Senator
Lodge was up for reelection Novem-
Der that the Republicans of Massa-
chnsetts would send him back tol
Washington where he has not trulyi
represented them, in the treaty and
league fight, anyway Do you sup
pcsa they would re-elect him? I'm
they would. They disap-
prove of his course frequently and
are not slow to say SO. twas so with
Charles Sumner; but they kept him
in the u. S. senate as long as he lived:
and so II will be with Lodge. When
they get such man there they keep II
him through life. But the episode has
been gerry interesting to some If us
who fecall the past. If there has been
any one in our country in the past II
who has advocated party loyalty it has
been Cabot Lodge; did he think he
should stampede the convention to
reverse ITSELF after some of his ir-
FASHIONED periods the convention rose
en- massc and cheered him, but kept
the platform they had adopted. And
i seems to me trace remembrance