The Colville examiner. [volume] (Colville, Wash.) 1907-1948, 1920-07-17
EDITOR WRITES
OF CONVENTION

San Francisco, July 6.-Io the Col
vile Examiner: In times past |
have occasionally been accorded space
in your presumably valuable publica
ton, and now that | am far beyond
the immediate reach of the long-suf
fering subscribers, it may be an op-
perfume time to try it again
The convention is over. 1t re-
quired days and II sessions to re-
concile the different opinions coming
from delegates of SO states and ter
ritories. If the party had a few
reliable bosses, such a gathering
could be speedily handled. But the
1902 delegates and the 900 alternates
were so thoroughly enthused with the
idea that each was his own boss, that
if one wanted reliable news Of what
was going to be done the next day, he
might as well inquire of a policeman
a of any of the many political head
quarters established by candidates in
the various hotels. | visited every
headquarters, talked with some of the
presidential timber, talked with their
managers, and found a uniformity in
the answers to my questions-that
each candidate was sure to be nomin
ated, the only question being as to
just where the votes might come
from.
There were only two real candi-
dates in the field, however at any
. time-McAdoo and Cox. The form
er drew his support largely from the
administration admirers and office
holders. The latter was supported
largely by those who had not been
accorded political prestige and also by
many who really wanted a change
and new deal all around. The lines
of demonstration were not pronounc-
ed and it would not be correct to say
that there was much evidence of any
other attitude than the desire to name
candidate who could win the cleo
ton. The vote proves this, for Cox
started with the lowest vote, and as
the convention progressed, the politi-
cal status in the various states was
canvassed with the result that Cox
was found to be the candidate who
was considered most likely to carry
the greatest electoral vote.
Every candidate and every cause
was given a full hearing. Demon
strations were frequent and many
were prolonged. No element was
sighted in the hearing, but after the
hearing, the convention would go
ahead and do just as it pleased, evil
IDENTIFY playing no favoritism, but in
reality marking out a brand new
course in democracy. Old leaders
were heard, some of their ideas adopt
ed, and some thrown in the discard.
Wilson received wonderful OVatiOhS
as a world leader-but his son-in-law
was refused. Bryan made one Of the
celebrated speeches of his life, and
received a tremendous ovation--but
his advice on candidate and some
of his proposed amendments to the
platform were turned down. Bourke
Cochran, in magnificent effort
which brought him great ovation,
also tried to secure an amendment to
the platform. He also was refused.
After spending four days in recon
IL MIA a
vention refused to make any changes.
More than 400 women participated
in the convention-as compared with
Is at Chicago. Women have equal
representation with men on the dem
ocratic national committee, and were
as much in evidence in committee and
convention hall procedure as the men.
The most interesting feature of the
convention was the attempt of pre-
datory interests to prevent the NOM
ination of McAdoo or Cox. Hotels
were filled with republican 'emissaries
trying to convince the delegates that
some third man would have to be
named Local newspapers We'd with
each other in blazoning the inference
that only a dark horse could be NOM
mated, the opponents of democracy
endeavoring to secure a result here
that would aid in the election Of
Harding. But the delegates remain
ed firm, and the result is attained.
Cox and Roosevelt have the three
fold requisites for great vote-ap-
peal to labor, to women, and to those
of all parties who will follow pro
gressive platform. With New York,
Ohio, the solid South and the West
in the ranks of assured support, it
looks as though Ohio has started
something again.
Most of the notable men of democ-
racy were present. Even Hiram
Johnson attended one session, and hi
friends say that his organization will
carry California for Cox. Certain it
is that he had more friends in this