Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1920-06-08

Chicago, June Its old-time leaders
unhorsed and its favorites for the pres
idency deadlocked, the republican party
will begin its national convention here
tomorrow under conditions of uncertain
~ unparalleled in recent political his
tory.
Embossed and largely unorganized, the
delegates were asking one another to-
night in what direction they were stray
ing and when a master would arise to
lead them out of the wilderness of their
own indecision.
In the noisy turmoil of convention eve,
the only definable trend seemed to be
driving Wood. Lowden and Johnson into
a deadlock fight which it was recognized
everywhere night destroy them ALL The
old timers, rejecting that it is but step
from a deadlocked convention to a stam-
peded convention, wondered what might
happen next unless some tried and
trusted leader settled himself securely in
the saddle.
Many were recalling the Chicago con-
vention of 1880. when the favorites all
were deserted after a deadlock of 50
ballots and James A. Garfield, who had
won the convention by nominating
speech, was nominated.
Talk of dark horse, in which some
OF the more experienced practical politi-
clans joined tonight for the first time,
began to revolve with an increasing
frankness about the disclosures of dhe
senate's investigation of campaign ex-
penditures.
At many scattering conferences those
who advocate a dark horse nomination
predicted that in the end no man whose
name was involved at all in the evidence
OF the investigating committee could be
nut before the country as the party s
choice.
In the main, however, the leaders and
near leaders caucussed and conferred
end brought forth nothing. Even those
ssho held the whip hand over a few dele
gates here and there seemed unable to
get together with the other greater and
lesser potential dctators OF party policy
The result was fOggy picture of the
possibilities Of the next few days
II became apparent that unless there
.arne dramatic and unexpected change
the first ballot to be taken Wednesday
or Thursday will record votes for be-
tween fifteen and twenty. candidates foE
the presidency, with scarcely more than
half enough to nominate in the Wood.
Lowden or Johnson column.
To what extent the managers for the
leading three can hold their delegates in
line after an unsuccessful test OF
strength is a subject of controversy.
There are those WHO contradict the
claims of the Wood, Lowden and John
son whips that their organizations are
cohesive enough to stand the strain of a
failure to nominate on an early ballot
in any case, no one any longer pre-
tends to be sure just what will happen
after roll call or two has passed INTO
history The guess of some of the VET
Grams is that votes will swirl and bur
and scatter again like the sands of -
sea. And those who hope for staJa4-
41d To fJfrT lOnGn
variety of spellbinding emotional whirt-
wind.
It is a situation which gave the bosses
Of other days many a good laugh in
their sleeves as today's developments
moved in feverish circles. Those of the
I'D time, out of date school who are
mere at all Remained largely to them
selves, however, hoping for the best but
shaking their heads sadly at the memory
OF steam rollers used and wires pulled ir
the times when leader could be sure o.
his ground.
The new leaders of the party however
including Will H Hays, the nationa
chairman, declared their entire satisfac
ton with the absence of the old meth
DDS.
At last. said Mr.. Hays, the country
was seeing what it had stridently de
handed a convention absolutely unboss
ed and acting for itself. He predicted
that the outcome would be beneficial Il
the standing of the party
Upwards Of a dozen of those who arr
considered possibilities for the nomina
ton now. are on the y Ind, although
most Of them had said previously tina
they had no intention of coming. Sena
tor Johnson made no such announce
snent. however and when he followed tn
Example set by Colonel Roosevelt in 1911
and opened his own convention head
auarters the other candidates decide
hey could not afford to maintain an
less direct touch with the big show.
In the dark horse and favorite so
talk today there was again mention o
charles Evans Hughes along with Sen
ator Harding of Ohio; Governor Sprou
II Pennsylvania Governor Coolidge q
Massachusetts and others. OF all tn
availables Senator Harding has abou
MIN the greatest number of experience
men in national politics, who would b
ready TO take advantage of any NOV
hat might benefit him.
In its session tomorrow the conventio
H expected to do no more than effect
temporary organization. listen to Sens
,or Lodges keynote speech as temporar
chairman appoint the routine commI
;ees and then adjourn to permit commit
zee work. Some of the leaders though
that Il the temporary officers were mad
permanent, thus shortening the first da
proceeding7- balloting for the presider
iisl nominee might begin late Wedne:
aay. The general belief however, wa
that the first roll call was far moi
uLciv fo come Thursday