The Washington herald., 1920-06-08


Chicago June For many years
ther. has Been an insistent demand.
coming chiefly from those who had
neither time nor inclira alton to as
sumo the burden. that the people be
permitted to Iun their own coUntry.
1t was assumed. jnasmuch as the
people were expected to elect the
candidates, they would select them.
A great opportunity for the people
now presents itself. They are in
control Of the Republican National
convention. And they haven't the
going to do with it. The convcn-
ton is Milling" like a herd of
stampeded cattle. 1t has no Iotion
where it is going. no idea as to the
sort Of conveyance that will be re-
quired. 1t isr't even certain it is
IN the way
White the situation is fraught
with danger il is not hopeless. 1t
is still possible to have the custo-
mary gathering TO nominate a Re-
publican Candidate for President in
a room at TIE Congress Hotel. Since
the safety and the future OF the
party is at stake. il is likely the
Congress Hotel convention will take
place before the week is over and
that he gentlemen who know how
win relieve the people of the prob
lem which they ave found tenn
selves Inadequate to handle. The
country may yet be saved. But the
PROBABILITIES are il never will see
another convention of the people
and by them
The quarrel as to whether Gen,
Wood or Senator Johnson is the re-
siduary legatee of Col. Theodore
Roosevelt grows more bitter as the
contest approaches its climax. The
indicatio now are both OF the
contesting heirs will be disqualified
by the convention. But there is no
information as TO the disposition of
hat element of his following, which
Col. Roosevelt lovingly described as
the lunatic fringe" Senator John
son gets ii on points and by virtue
of his authority. The Senator's fol-
lowing is the jazz" and the unme-
| lodious blues of the convention
Such of the funny folk who in 1912
and 1916 made the hotel lobbies re-
sound to their plaintive cries. as are
present on this occasion. are for
Hiram. Hiram has them in a sack.
The Republican party has but one
graduate hugger left. He is Senator
James F. Watson. Of Indiana. bet
ter known as Jim" There was u
I time when no statesmen welded
secure hold on the Republican party
unless he could express his fealty
and devotion to the party and the
| flag through the medium of encir-
cling embrace. The Republican par
ty, as it now manifests itself at a
| national convention. is made up oi
snappy- looking. middle-aged bust.
ness men. who favor the shepherd
plaid motif in wearing apparel
The old timer who wore a frock coa'
and who dragged his right arm
| across the shoulders of his con-
stituents. has fade dout of the pic
ture, Curtis. the Indian Senator
rom Kansas. possesses a gesture
which is half hug and half hand
shake. But the Kansas senior Sen
ator's gesture featured by an auto
| matte delivery which releases the
victim before the latter fully real
| ICES he has received the JUNCTION o,
embrace. Watson's is the only hug
left in the party.
| But Senator Watson's facility will
| the draping caress has not kept hin
out Of trouble. The Senator cam,
| up from Indiana astensibly a dele
| gste-at-large. charged with the wei
| fare of the Republican party, but, II
| reality, to be chairman of the reso
| lutions committe. II was as chair
man of the resolutions committee