The Washington times., 1920-06-07
RANKANOF|[E
LOOKFOR Jobs
Blythe Finds Amateur Dele
gates" Seek Nominee to
Shake Plum Tree.
NJ SAMUEL q. BLYTHE.


CHICAGO. June This pre-con.
yentioh period is a period OF gestures
made mostly by amateurs. The pro-
tesslonals are holding the real
punches In reserve TO be delivered
"hen the amateurs really are in the
! ring with them, rather than gesticu.
lsting outside. There will be much
defamation until about Thursday.
Ihen the work OF definition will be
gin.
The amateurs are having an enjoy
able time. One hears talk about the
psychology of the situation all over
the place. We have many psycholo-
gists in our midst Likewise a few
philosophers. The philosophers are
imperturable persons who have been
lrunning conventions long time.
They philosophically admit they will
run this one.
The amateurs, believing in fairies.
shink that by process OF waiting
incense over delegates. or in some
other esoteric manner. they will be
able to nominate one or the other OF
the candidates. But such does not
seem to be the case
Hungry For Onice.
This convention gives eTery cyi-
dence OF being a convocation of un-
emotional and unsympathetic per.
| sons, in the main, who are convcn-
tion-wise, convention broken, as one
might say, and neither signs. portents,
nor any manifestation other than the
office from the professionals will
have the slightest effect on them.
They are here to do a certain thing,
which is TO nominate a candidate who
shall, as nearly as is possible in the
circumstances, typify their own po-
litical ideas: and they consider all
platform discussion. all ethical con-
siderations. all ideas expressed or
theories for betterment expounded or
declared as entirely superhuous and
beside the mark. II they succeed in
naming the right man they will be
content, knowing that when the man
is right, all will be right with them.
They have been barred from the
Federal payrolls for long time. these
Republicans, and they are aching to
get back. 1t is all one to them
whether the man they shall name is
radical or conservative, so long a 5 he
will distribute the offices according
to the old partisan formulas.
What if this guy Johnson is e.
radical?" said a particularly profes-
sional patriot. What of il II he can
be elected? The salaries of collectors
and postmasters won't be reduced be-
cause he is radical, will they?"
Wherefore. bearing this in mine.
let the high broWs wransle over the
platform and make the speeches.
These boys are here to vote and to
vote as they are told to vote.
Have Not Been Told.
They have not been told. as yet.
The real word will not be passed
until later in the week. Indeed. the
men who are running things have not
yet discovered exactly what word
they can pas, but they are making
detailed and exhaustive investiga-
tions. The first section of their plan
is complete. 1t is simple and direct,
Beat Wood, They consider this as
good as done. The second part is to
beat Johnson. That is not Yet ac-
complished. He'll take a lot of beat
ing. that man johnson. The third
part is to make demonstration.
| slow in beginning. but cumulative in
effect, with Lowden. That is being
arranged for.
Hcrt Coming strong.
Then what? II the expected row
is not unreesonably long. this per
| formancc will take the convention
| well into Thursday. In the meantime
| the situation is being threshed out
| by expert threshers.
| You hear much about this conven-
| ton lacking a big boss. That is true,
although Alvin T. Hert. of Kentucky.
is coming fast and strong. But this
| convention does not lack it's full
| af urho
training under the former big bosses.
and they know the mechanics OF the
game.
| Along about Thursday night, or Fri
! day some time. unless all signs fail,
! the word will be ready. and the votes
| reasonably well in hand Then some
| candidate who has been modestly in
| the rear will begin to forge ahead,
and presently. will have his majority.
| and the people will know who they
have chosen as their Republican rep
resentative in the Presidential cleo
! ton.
| Looks Good For Sproul.
On this morning before the conNen-
! tion opens, the indications are strong
est that man will be Governor Sproul
| of Pennsylvania.
| IL he Is not the man. II VIII oe to7
one of these reasons:
First-The managers will find they
can turn the trick with Lowden, and
will muster up courage to do 1t.
Second--A more available man, po-
| litically, than Sproul VIII be discov-
cred and decided upon.
| Third-The convention may decioe
| TO do it's nominating itself rather
/ than go through the directed motions:
! hut ~ il does, some 500 hard boiled
natrIots will change to 500 soft-boiled
pstricts-and political history records
few. II any, such metamorphoses.