Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 100, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 April 1920 — SENATOR NEW TO PRESIDE [ARTICLE]

SENATOR NEW TO PRESIDE

SENATOR WATSON TO MAKE THE KEY NOTE SPEECH AT STATE CONVENTION • Indianapolis, April 23.—Details for the republican state convention on May 12 and 13, were announced yesterday by Frederick E. Schortemeier. secretary of the state committee, after they had been approved by the committeemen in long distance telephone conversations. Senator Watson will be the temporary chairman, and Senator New will be the* permanent chairman. Governor Goodrich and Will H. Hays, republican national chairman, have been invited to address the convention.

Sidney R. Mille*, a member of the firm of MilleY, Thompson & Dailey of Indianapolis, was selected as sergeant-at-arms. Mr. Miller, who is a grandson of W. H. H. Miller, attorney general in President Harrison’s cabinet, was a major in the 150th field artilery, Rainbow division. Clem R. Richards, of Terre Haute, formerly Vigo county chairman, was selected as secretary of -the convention, and Harry R. Styner of Montmorenci was named as chief usher. Mr. Styner has acted in this capacity in previous conventions. Keynote By Wateon. The convention, which will be held in Tomlinson hall, will open with Senator Watson’s keynote address at 10 o’clock Wednesday morning, May 12. Aftet a short noon recess Senator New will take his seat as permanent chairman and Governor Goodrich and Will H. Hays will be heard. The delegates will meet by districts in the evening and will select members of the various committees. The committees on resolutions, rules and permanent organization, and credentials, will go into session at the Hotel Severin at 9 o’clock that evening. The second day of the convention will start at 10 o’clock with the selection of the delegates at large to the national convention. It is generally assumed that Senators New and Watson, Governor Goodrich and State Chairman E. M. Wasmuth will compose the “big four,” although reports have ben prevalent for some time that the “slate” is not looked on kindly by the supporters of Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood. The Wood forces have lent a ready ear to the agitation to seat women on the delegation and .prominent women in the party have made representations to the leaders that they should receive a place on the delegation at large. ' Candidate Fpr Governor. Following the selection of the “big four” and the ratification of the twenty-six district delegates, the convention will proceed to nominate a candidate for governor, or ratify the choice of the primary if one of them receives a majority of all the votes cast in the primary it will devolve on the convention to select the party’s nominee. It is the general opinion among the leaders that if no majority vote is cast the plurality will guide the convention in its choice. Following the disposition of the governorship race nominations for state officers will be -made in the following order: Lieutenant Governor, secretary of state, auditor of state, treasurer of state, attorney geneal, superintendent of public instruction, judge of the supreme court. Fifth district; judges of the appellate court from the First and Second districts, and reporter of the Supreme court Committeemen To Meet. Preceding the opening of the convention on the first day the newly elected district committeemen will meet at 9 o’clock at the Hotel SeveYin to name a state chairman, vice chairman, secretary and treasurer. It is generally understool Wasmuth is a candidate for re-election, although he has never made a formal announcement to that effect. > Gossip in political headquarters has it that Wasmuth will encounter some opposition, and it is known the friends of M. Burt Thurman of New Albany, Third district chairman, are urging him as a candidate for the place. Mr. Thurman/ however, has an opponent for his position as district chairman in Vernon W. Knight of New Albany. Mr. Shortemeier said unusual interest attaches to the convention and that already many demands have been received for tickets.