Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 102, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 April 1914 — VALPARAISO GAVE DELEGATES FINE TIME [ARTICLE]

VALPARAISO GAVE DELEGATES FINE TIME

Met Them at Train With Autos— Many Business Houses Were Gaily Decorated.

The republican district convention held at Valparaiso Tuesday was one of the best conventions ever held in the district and should be an example to all republicans in attendance in the way of hospitality and city pride. Valparaiso was gayly decorated, flags and bunting being used on almost all of the business .houses and many residences. A large number of autos met the delegates and visitors who arrived on the special train from Lafayette and a parade about the city, headed by the band, took place. The automobiles were decorated with flags, while large banners were fastened on each car, telling of the purpose of the meeting. In the city a large banner with the words “Republican Headquarters,” was stretched across the street. The convention was held in Memorial opera house, which was magnificently decorated with flags and bunting and large pictures of distinguished republicans. The opera house is large and not only accommodated all ot the delegates and visitors but many of the citizens of the city who wished to witness the convention proceedings. There were a number of ladies in the audience.

Streaming ribbons were on the coait lapels of the delegates and visitors. The red ones were worn by supporters of Will R. Wood, while light blue and light pink ones were pinned on all persons who arrived in the city by a diligent reception committee. They told of the date, place and purpose of the meeting. The Lake county delegates‘brought Wood badges of a different pattern. They read “I am for Will R.” Across the bottom of the ribbon was glued a small particle of wood. The badges were all printed on a good quality of ribbon, were of goodly proportions and so generally worn that they added to the gayety that seemed to control the whole city.

The convention proved a lively and entertaining one despite; the fact that there was no contest. Mayor Sisson delivered a short but pleasing address of welcome. He iwas followed by Dr. Erank Smith, of Gary, the district chairman, who made one of his characteristic speeches, comparing the grand old party to the giant oak, which the winds might toss about but would not uproot. He asked for reports from the committees and the committee on organization recommended the selection of Hon. E. D. Crumpacker for chairman. He accepted and made a short" speech, which was a splendid plea to republicans to get together and pull for democratic defeat. He predicted republican success this tall, estimating that the nominee of the convention would secure a plurality of 5,000 in the district. Next came the passing of the resolutions, a part of which John Ade had written Mr. Ade was the chairman of the committee and it was during the time that George Haywood was reading them that Mr. Ade died. On roll call of counties there was only one nomination, that of Will R. Wood, of Lafayette, whose name was placed before the convention in a splendid way Iby Will O. Thomas, of Monticello, himself a candidate until he saw that the odds were against him. Mr. Thomas made a good speech and his action secured for him many friends who had come a long way to support Mr. Wood, but who congratulated Mr. Thomas on his‘party loyalty in withdrawing and naming Mr. Wood. Mr. Thomas said that we were selecting a good lawyer, an experienced law maker, a great campaigner, a fine orator and one of the very best men dn the district. Ho promised that Mr. Wood would go to every nook and corner of the district to talk to the people. After the convention with a lot of cheering had named Mr. Wood he was called to the platform and just as he started his speech three men marched down the aisle of the convention hall, having a piece of Bxß timber, sixteen feet long, which they placed on the center of the stage. Mr. Wood delivered a brief speech, in which he said that he would carry out Mr. Thomas’ pledge to speak in every nook and corner of the district The delegates cheered with a confidence that Will R. Wood is indeed to be the next representative of this district in congress. Probably no man in all the district has as many personal admirers and many of them are outside of the republican party, but they will support him because they believe in him and because they believe he has the ability to represent the tenth congressional di” trict, in an able manner. , Among ,hfe boosters Tuesday were democrats and progressives as well as republicans. To all readers of this paper we wish to recommend Mr. Wood as

worthr of their support. He is a protectionist and believes in all measures that will help to place American standards higher than those of foreign countries. No man is more progressive and he will be found one of the most active men Indiana ever sent to the national congress, where he will become a leader, just as he has been a leader of the cleanest type in the state senate. We believe every progressive in Jasper county and in the district will be fulfilling the highest ideals of suffrage if they will give their support- this year to the republican candidate for congress. In his speech accepting the nomination Mr. Wood, realizing that there were doubtless many of his hearers who were unfriendly to Theodore Roosevelt, nevertheless paid to him a high compliment for the manner In which he refused to permit the Columbian government to block the building of the Panama canal, and said that the recent action of the democratic congress in paying to Columbia $25,000,000 was not prompted so much by their idea of justice a it was to take a slap at Mr. Roosevelt for his strategic move in securing the canal zone. Some will say that Mr. Wood was an enemy to the progressive cause. He was not opposed to it except that he believed that the republican party after its many long years of accomplishment, was still able and willing to do whatever the people wanted done, and he held fast to the old ship and will be one of the most energetic in giving it renewed life and a broader, better purpose. He is progressive in thought, which is far better than being progressive in name, and which 11) a difference so full of meaning that thinking men should be able to recognize the difference and not vote for a man flying under other colors but who is apt to be in no manner the progressive equal of Will R. Wood. <