Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1920-06-05
Regular0ld
Convention
In Prospect

Chicago, June Enlargement be-
tween General Woods managers over
whether the republican national COM
mittee has been "steam rolling" his
delegates has furnished the incident
which was needed to wind up the re-
publican convention preliminariea
with a three ring finish.
There are several elements which
contribute to the support Of predic-
tions that II Is going to be a regular
old time convention, -Four years ag0
on pre-convention Saturday everything
looked pretty tame Charles Evans
Hughes was as good as nominated. all
thought It was not generally known.
and the atmosphere was placid. To-
day there are dozen little swifiing
eddys each loaded with possibilities OF
developing into cycionic proportion.
steadying Influences Absent.
Many steadylng influences which
guided the pIeliminaries of four yesrn
ago are absent and good many new
elements which make for confusion
are present The majority OF the dele
gates are uninstructed and although
as is generally the case, many OF them
are anxious to board some band wagon
there does not appear 70 be any. There
are several vehicles ready TO be rolled
out but the horsepower doesn't seem 10
be mobllized and everybody seems TO
look to the possibilities that some Of
the horses may be dark.
Then there IL the absence of the
steadylng Influence of the old timr
leaders who have hitherto been able to
guide the destlnies Of the conventions
The bosses who speak with a vote Of
authority seem to be absent and all
though the incoming delegates are
willing to be led they don't find any
considerable party being personally
conducted In any one direction.
About the only thing that everybody
seems to be agreed upon is that no
candidate Is going to be nominated ON
the first ballot and from the Informal
tion that leaks out from the various
inner circles Of the different groups
Il seems that all the managers are fig
uring on at least three ballots to find
out where they stand and make up
their estimates on the possibilities. The
prediction OF many seasoned p0iitl-
clans is that the convention will have
It's opening hurrah. the complimentary
votes for the favorite sons, the ballots
to fulfill the instructions and pledges
and then the real business viii begin.
If the program being talked Of II
carried out, the leaders OF the delega-
tions from the larger states will have
a conference and decide whether they
viii pool their votes and. returning 70
the convention next morning, cast
them for the man about whom they
have hopes Of rallying enough support
to command a majority, whether he
be a dark horse or one Of the candl-
dates now In the field, no one assumes
to say, because only the preliminary
ballot can determine Il. But with that
as a starting point. the seasoned poll
iclans are quite sure there will be lit-
tie delay in getting to an agreement.
II may develop that some one Of
the candidate now In the field besides
having good prospects for his own
nomination. will also hold veto pvw-
er which will compel the compr0mise
managers TO accept amen OF whom ha
approves. Senator johnson OF Calf
forfla Is always mentioned when this
probability Is discussed
There is still another element which
adds to the uncertainty which promf-
ses TO continue up to the time the con-
yention begins to ballot. II Is a repeat
ediy expressed feeling among state
governors. chairmen OF state delegz-
tions and others that members Of con-
gress and federal officials have 40
much to soy in convention plans and
decisions.