The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-06-11
Dark Horse Activities at
Chicago Very Deep Be-
meath the Surface
HUGHES CANDIDACY
LOOMS IMPORTANT
One Report Had 1t That
Definite Plans Had Been
Made in His Behalf

Chicago, June ll.-Animosities OF
the platform battle swept away by the
roar of affirmation which wrote the Re-
publican creed for 1920 into history,
| delegates to the national convention
gathered early to-day TO fulfill their
chief duty and name presidential
candidate.
Who would receive this highest honor
in the party's gift was as much in the
lap of the gods as ever. Field marshals
for the big ee"-Wood, johnson
and Lowden, expressed confidence. They
made no specific claims TO more than
the votes pledged to their candidates
by primary action.
The balance of power still lay with
the more than 500 uninstructed dele
gates. Despite days OF missionary
work among them, lieutenants of the
leading candidates had learned little
of their state Of mind. 1t remained for
the ballot to reveal any decisive drift
of sentiment among the rank and file of
the party.
First on the program came the nomi
mating speeches. To get these swiftly
out of the way the convention met at
8 O'Clock, instead of III o'clock, as on
previous days. Further steps TO short
circuiting useless and often tiresome
oratory were taken in connection with
seeonding speeches.
Under the rule adopted, each candi.
date may be seconded in two five-min-
ute addresses. He may have as many
seconds as he likes but if he elects to
have more than two, none. of those who
speak for him may talk more than two
minutes.
Under this ruthless curb on eulogists,
the first ballot should be reached by
mid-afternoon. Indications are that it
viii show the instructed strength of
the major candidates lined up virtually
solidly as the mandates the instructed
delegations carry direct.
II will bring out too the full favor
lite son" strength already discounted by
the announced purpose of various dele
cations to thus compliment a man of
their own state allegiance. Ii will for
mally enter a whole string of dark
horses" in the race, but the overshad-
owing interest in this first direct step
toward the nomination lies in what it
may disclose as to a current among the
uninstructed toward one OF the big
three to supplement his instructed
strength.
With the first ballot recorded and its
half and quarter votes tabulated, work
ers for the various candidates will
have material on which TO work intelli.
gently. On the next vote favorite son
strength will begin to disappear, the
delegations, their duty of courtesy
done, free to join in the fight on candi
dates possible of nomination. Then will
begin the round of quick floor confer
enees the trading and dickering that !
oils the wheels OF a political conven
ton to aid the ultimate choice.
The second ballot is certain to show |
some changes. always providing that |
the wholly unexpected development of |!
a nomination on the first ballot. has |
From the second on, step by step, |
strength of the leading candidates may |
be expected to wax or wane until either |
a deadlock occurs or one OF the trio
energies rs master of the situation.
Dark horse movements spring out of /
ieallocks Up to the time the conven
ton assembled to-day. there was every
indication that a triangular deadlock
between Wood. Johnson and bowden
would be shown on the first counting Of
noses. For that reason dark horse pro-
motors had been busy through the
night. planning and working in order
10 be prepared 10 attempt a coupe
when an opportunity came.
Out of these activities and also out
If the vigorous manouevreing of lead
rs and lieutenants Of the leading can
lidates came a new crop of reports over
hight.
Big Three Supporters Active.
Wood supporters affirmed that he
would show strength in excess Of 800
M the first ballot Some placed il at
so and it requires 400 to nominate.
'revfous Wood claims had not exceeded -,
so The source Of the expected add
ional 500 or loo votes was not dis
losed by the claimants
Lowden supporters also were active.
they asserted that they needed only
he adherence Of a strong eastern dele
alton to the Illinois governor stand
I'd TO put him over. II was an open
ecret that they were flirting with the !
ig New York representation pledged
o Nicholas Murray Butler at the out I
et aud with some known Wood
trength in its ranks, hut with the {
ltimate action Of the majority as yet
ndecided
johnson supporters were very active
penly during the evening hours yes
arday. treating the convention camp 10
taste Of old time methods in the way II
I bands and banners and stump oratory
( the curb. What they were doing
bsr,ti.e toward forpediur rival bonfns III