New-York tribune., 1920-06-13
Convention Undercurrents

Whatever the QemerlIS OF the Ne
publican convention Of 1920, it is
Aot likely to be rated as body either
jbossed or stampeded. Shallow critics,
Especially those with a partisan bias
who demand q villain in every plot.
will, of course, shout that an un-
identified body, Jumped together as
the cold Guard" took charge, but
there is little basis for the accusa-
rtion. The convention to a notable de-
gree has been a delegates one, with
the great majority of its members
seeking in free manner to express
themselves and their ideas. A sign
of this is the exceptionally large
number of divided states. Neighbor
wrangles with neighbor. There was
little delivery of blocks of delegates
/ and the business was mainly done in
the open.
Nor was there present the emo
tionalism which is fuel for a stam-
pede. The delegates were too much
Of the kind known as 'hard-boiled,"
too seasoned in politics and too
familiar with its devices, to be
moved by clamor.
Likewise largely absent were per-
sonal bitterness and open manifes-
tations of extreme factionalism. The
candidates were unable, though their
supporters were earnest, to arouse
the enthusiasm Blaine and Roose-
velt evoked. The contacts in the
hotel lobbies have been marked by
exceptional good humor and lack of
abuse. Not often was there rehearsal
Of old grievances or re-whetting of
grudges.
What, then, we're the forces, work
ing amid the welter, which controlled
events? The most important seem
to have been the alignments which
come down from the split Of 1912
and which still exist latently and
subconsciously. There are, alas.
two kinds of Republicans, and, check
Ing over the personnel Of the vari-
Gus delegations and observing how
their members voted, it is striking
how the rule holds true that
"stand-patter" is still "stand-pat-
ter and Progressive still Progress
sive.
General Wood based his candidacy
on the assumption that the Roose-
velt tradition was dominant, and,
properly enough, his friends regard
ed him as the true heir. The evil
sdence is that the rank and file of the
Republican party is Rooseveltian,
and the General thus should have
easily won.
But the rank and file, mixed up
by fayorite son candidates. and the
hke and by specious pleas for unin-
ssructed delegations, allowed itself
70 be cajoled. Then along came
hiram Johnson to divide the Pro-
gress've strength, attracting to him.
SELF its most vociferous elements. SO
Ihe convention's control was with
snose who voted in 1912 for Taft
rather than with the greater num-
Der who voted for Roosevelt.
Inc conservative delegates, al
'aough having no desire to revive
TIE nres OF the old controversy and
Wiling enough TO testify that Roose-
sels was great man to whom in the
hcsn they had not been altogether
iair, were nevertheless left cold
"nen they heard Colonel Roosevelt's
ss'er saying, az che earnestly did at
every opportunity, that she was for
general Wood because, far more
'han any other candidate, he was of
'oe Roosevelt type.
II "ssand-pat" politicians and small
0usinsas men were averse to a revi-
'ai of Rooseveltism, so for the most
part were the members of Congress.
congress would not be dominated.
- wants no President in the White
mouse who is there with a popular
'h@foate 70 be the country's general
manager. President Wilson has
mace me idea Of pIebiscitary Chief
Hagistrate highly unpopular, espe-
s'ahy In Washington. Washington
ss@'ns Tor what 1t is pleased to call
S<u.r ~
- eonssitutional' President and eu-
"2izes Mckinley.
ihaiiy effective use was made of
Z .@e'rM son argunents"--argu-
N's'ss General Wood and his friends
s1eaewsd. Delegations were in whole