Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 February 1908 — GEORGE ADE AND A. K. SILLS [ARTICLE]

GEORGE ADE AND A. K. SILLS

Author Elected By Acclamation; Sills Defeats Will R. Wood In f||iarp Contest, Vote Being 81.95 to 44.05. DANIEL FRASER FOR ELECTOR George A. Williams and Warren Simpkins for Alternate Delegates.

It was really a big and busy convention and drew forth all the political strategy that the two leading contestants for the national del egateship possessed. The [delegates began to arrive Monday afternoon and by the time the'evening train from the sonth was in there were something like a hundred delegates* and spectators congregated, and all got busy early and stayed busy late in trying to orient themselves. It was soon seen that George Ade, the author, would have no opposition. His acquaintances were enthusiastic for him, and all who came in and who had previously known him only by bis world : wide reputation or by having read his writings or seen his plays,|were|soon impressed by his friends that he should be selected without contest. Mr. Ade arrived from Chicago on the milk train, and was soon the center of attraction attheMakeever Hotel. □ Persons from all over town were looking into the hotel and ask ing to have the distinguished visitor pointed out to them. It was soon seen that there was to oppose Mr. Ade, and [the contest was between the other candidates, A. K. Sills, of Monticello, and Will R. Wood, of Lafayette. There was cancus upon caucus and the matter settled down to a north and sonth end controversy, with a strong Crnmpauker and anti-Crumpacker indication. It was early observed that the Crnmpacker forces were in the lead and the fact that Mr. Sills pledged himself to support an administration candi 'ate as certain Congressman Cciunpacker himself wonld have done, he became the favorite candidate, not only in the £north end but with support practically all over the district.

As time piogressed the strength of Mr. Sills grew and the contest was decided before the convention was convened. The 'convention was called to orderjby District Chairman A. J. Hickey, of LaPorte, and he was chosen! chairman of the convention. JohnJM. Mavity, editor of the Valparaiso Vidette, was secretary, and committees were appointed on order of business, cr* dentials and resolutions. The order of business was not followed, altbo the varia tion was caused for the expedition of business. The resolution com mittee reported, and the resolutions, elsewhere published, were enthusiastically passed. The credentials committee reported no contests. Daniel Fraser, of Fowler, proposed a suspension of the roles when} iWarren MeOrsy, of Kentland, plaoed the name of George Ade in nomination, in order that the convention might select him by acclamation. This was done amid the cheers of the delegatee, and when Mr. Ade in response to a demand for his appearance, took the stage, there were many lusty cheers for him. He spoke | bat a few words, pledged bis vote in the national convention to the. choice of the people of the district, and said he hoped he had gumption enough to determine what that was. County Chairman |(Roberts, of Tippecanoe county, plaoed Will B. Wood in nomination, and Attorney George Kmaabetnu, of MontlceUo.

nominated Addison K. Sills. The vote by counties resulted as follows: Comities Sills Wood Benton 5. 4. Jasper 7. ......... Labe. .. 25 Newton 4.66 2.35 Porter .... 11 Tippecanoe... 26. Warren 9. White 8.30 ’ 8.70 Total 81.95 44.05 Only two nominations were made for alternates, being Attorney George A. Williams, of Rensselaer, and Warren Simpkins, of Fowler. They were elected by acclamation. At torney Daniel Fraser, of Fowler, was elected the. candidate for national elector. Attorney Will R. Wood was greatly effected by his defeat, and in a speech snreharged witfi venom he attributed it to Congressman Crumpacker, and said his hirelings had gathered at his command to defeat him. Friends of Wood un dertook to quiet him, bat he pro ceeded to attack the supporters of the Congressman and to charge the neighboring counties that had divided their votes with disloyalty. James Craig of Thayer, called out “thought this wasa dry town,” aud whether i his was apropos to the conduct of Mr. Wood or not, it had the effect of bringing his tirade to a conclusion. The fact is, that the north delegates offered to enpport Mr. W6od if he would promise to vote in the national convention for an administration candidate should the effort to nominate Fairbanks fail. He would not and the election of Mr. Sills was the result.

RESOLUTIONS. Resolved, That we as republicans in convention assembled, point with pride to the splendid record of achievement of the present national administration under the aggressive and sagacious leadership of that great republican, Theodore Roosevelt; that we realize the Importance to all of the people of the objects which he has sought to accomplish; and that we declare our unqualified faith in him and the principles for which he stands. And we further resolve that the republicans of Indiana present to the republicans of the nation as their candidate for the presidency a leader whom hey have long known and trusted, one whose rapid rise In public life to national renown they have followed with pride and satisfaction, Vice President Charles W. Fairbanks. Beginning his career as a national legislator on the day William McKinley was Inaugurated as president, he has been intimately and usefully identified with the legislation and administration which during the past twelve years has added a splendid chapter to the history of republicanism and of the nation. A friend and supporter of these administrations, he represents at once republican achievement and republican purposes, and fills the full measure of presidential ability and avail.lbttttyr To Charles W. Fairbanks, the republicans of the tenth congressional district pledge their loyal and unswervig support at the national convention, and Instruct their delegates this day chosen to redeem that pledge. Resolved, That we recognise the long and able service of the Honorable Fremont Good wine, of Warren county, in the senate of our state; his general acquaintance over the state with the penal, benevolent, and educational Institutions; his large expertwwe on many of the important

i. - , committees of the senate, and upon the legislative Investigating committee since 1889, through whose labors vast sums of money have been saved to the people of the state; his general knowledge of business, especially that of agriculture, which is the foundation of our wealth and prosperity; and bis staunch character, being always on the right side of every great public question; and we therefore recommend and indorse his candidacy for the nomination of lieutenant governor, bcllevng that his name -upon the republican ticket will add strength to that ticket In the coming election. : - Resolved, That we duly appreciate the splendid patriotism, high ability, and valuable public service of Col. Harry S. New and hereby express our admiration for him, and recommend him to the party as a fit chief to lead the battles, of our coming campaign, ) Firmly convinced that the people of this state are in favor of upholding the present high standard of the supreme court of this state, we recommend to the people of Indiana the Honorable John H. Gillett, of this district, to succeeed himself as supreme judge, and we unqualifiedly pledge our support to his candidacy. We further declare that we are alive to the necessity of republican sqccess in the pending campaign, and we urge upon the republican voters of the tenth congressional district the importance of thorough district and local organization, of aggressiveness and complete harmony throughout the ranks of the republican party r to the end that the interests of the people shall be protected and the principles of republicanism overwhelmingly endorsed at the polls. Lincoln township, Newton county, in which is located Roselawn, Thayer and Lake Village has gone “dry” by the remonstrance route. When W. T. Kight, of Roselawn, came before the board of commissioners at Kentland Monday and asked for a renewal of license he was confronted by a blanket remonstrance which the commissioners held good. Kight has taken an appeal to the circuit court and will test the remonstrance.