The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1920-06-09
REPUBLICANS SPLIT
OVER NOMINATION
Free for All Fight in Chi
CagO
DARK HORSE
NOW LIKELY

Dark Horse Is Likely to Break. Cam
didates Make Little Headway
Against Odds.
Chicago, Junei7.-Its old time lead
ers unhorsed and It's favorites for the
presidency deadlocked, the Republican
party will begin its national conven-
ton here tomorrow under conditions
Of uncertainty unparalleled in recent
political history
Embossed and largely unorganized,
the delegates were asking one another
tonight in what direction they were
straying and when master would
arise to lead them out Of the wilder
ness Of their own indecision
In the noisy turmoil of convention
eve the only definiable trend seemed
to be driving Wood, Lowden and John
son into deadlock fight which, it was
recognized everywhere, might destroy
them all. The old timers reflected
that it is but step from deadlocked
IL,
and wondered what might happen next
unless some tried and trusted leader
settled himself securely in the sad
die.
Many were recalling the Chicago
convention Of 1880 when the favorites
all were deserted after deadlock Of
80 ballots and James A. Garfield, who
had won the convention by nominat-
ing speech was named.
Talk of dark horse in which some
Of the more experienced practical poll
tticians joined tonight for the first
time began to revolve with an ncrcas-
Ing frankness about the disclosures Of
the senate's investigation Of campaign
expenditures. 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 nvesti-
eating committee could be put before
the country as the party's choice.
In the main, however, the leaders
and near leaders caucussed and con-
ferrcd and brought forth nothing. Ev-
en- those who held the whip hand over
few delegates here and there seemed
unable to get together with the other
greater and lesser potential dictators
OF party policy. The result is foggy
picture of the possibilities OF the next
few days.
It became apparent that unless there
came dramatic and unexpected
change the first ballot to be taken
votes for between fifteen and twenty
candidates for the presidency, with
scarcely more than half enough to
nominate in the Wood, Lowdcn 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 subject OF controversy
There are those who contradict the
claims of the Wood Lowden and John
son whips that their. organizations arc
cohesive enough to stand the strain of
failure to nominate on an early bal
lot.
In any case no one any longer pre-
tends too be sure just what will hap
pen after a roll call or two has passed
into history. The guess OF some of the
veterans is that votes will swirl and
bunch and scatter again like the sands
OF the sea. And those who hope for a
stampede are counted on to turn loose
every variety OF spellbinding, emotion
al whirlwind
1t Is a situation which gave the boss
o. Of other days many good laugh
in their sleeves rs today's develop
mcnts moved in feversh circles Those
of the old time, out OF date school, who
are here at ALL remained largely to
themselves, however, hoping for the
best but shaking their heads sadly at
the memory OF steam rollers used and
wires pulled In the times when lead
or could be sure OF his ground.
The new leaders OF the party. how
ever, including Will III. Hays, the ma
tonal chairman. declared their entire
satisfactio nwith the absenre of the
old methods.