Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 138, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 June 1916 — HARMONY DOUBTFUL IS INDICATION [ARTICLE]

HARMONY DOUBTFUL IS INDICATION

Hope of Deal Later Expressed But Conference Fails to Produce It— Platform Progressive.

Chicago, Friday Morning, June 9. The latest information given out oy newspapers and bubbling about the hotel lobbies is to the effect that the conference of ten from the Republican and Progressive conventions which met at the Chicago Club Thursday night failed to make any progress toward harmony. There really is not much more to write. Republicans have adopted a platform that should respond to every demand of Progressive voters and they are ready to nominate and the nominating speeches will be made today and perhaps the nomination of a candidate will be made but some think that further peace perleys will be held and that the convention won’t name its choice before the first of next week.

The convention Thursday morning was given over to some speech making for the purpose of delay while some rough spots in the plaiform were being ironed out. Chauncey M. Depew, of New York, was called upon and in an eloquent manner spoke in defense of Republican principles for which he said he had stood for 60 years. Although 83 years of age he stood erect, spoke in ’oud and firm tones and with an eloquence that has not been equalled in the convention. He was frequently interrupted with applause and some of his excellent stories brought jproarious laughter. When he was seated there was a general cry for “Uncle” Joe Cannon and he mounted the forum. He is 80 years of age and said he hoped to be on hand to see Mr. Depew attend a convention when he was 100 years old. “Uncle” Joe is getting feeble and his voice carried only a short distance from the speaker’s platform. Senator Borah, of Idaho, bllowed in a strong argument for preparedness and republican principles.

Roosevelt boosters held a parade Thursday evening but it was not very large and evidently was not engineered by the big guns. One of the speakers in the Progressive convention of Thursday advised that they nominate Roosevelt and let the Republicans go to hell. There are a number of such hot-heads in the ci t> and their intemperate utterances and actions give a false impression of the general sentiment for peace. There never has been any chance of the Republican convention naming Roosevelt. Any newspapers who have suggested this possibility have deceived their readers. Many have sai . that Roosevelt would come nearer ruining the Republican party as its candidate than he would running in opposition, to it. But consideration is given his preference and the parleys look to that end. Unfortunately the subject of patronage is made an issue and it is rumored that the Progressives are demanding a big part of the “pap” as the price of submission to the Republican control. Four years ago the Progressives had as an argument the criticism of President Taft, the criticism of the Payne-Aldrich tariff measure, the objection to the methods employed zo nominate Taft and objection to the platform. With these issues they went before the people and secured the votes of many who never intended to leave the Republican party. This year those four arguments are eliminated. The Republicans have corrected their party machinery, have thrown down the bars for all who cared to return to the fold, have proposed a dozen or more good men as candidates, have adopted a platform that is as progressive as anything the rational part of the Progressive party could or will demand and even if the final outcome is that Colonel Roosevelt decides to run on a third ticket he can never enlist the strength of four years ago. No one knows this better than he and he is not looking for a drubbing that will mean his elimination for all future time. It is easy for the great to fall. Bryan, once the “champion of the people ’ and the ideal of millions, is now a reporter in the conventions and he is looked upon as a mighty ordinary citizen and none do him homage. Roosevelt knows this and he is not seeking to be the idol of a few 'radicals. Rather, he is holding opt to permit the Republican party from falling into the hands of retroactives. When it is all over we predict that Roosevelt will decline the Progressive nomination and urge, all to support the Republican Ticket. If he would do this today the convention would make a nomination and adjourn by evening.

GEORGE H. HEALEY.