A KALEIDOSCOPE

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 140, 14 June 1924, Page 7

A KALEIDOSCOPE

CHANGING BALLOT RESULTS

A WASTED ELECTION.

(REOTER'S TELEGRAM.)

CLEVELAND, 12th June. 10-day was the first really warm day Sml e j Ee Publica" Convention foregathered, and enthusiasm was therefore always at the expense of comfort. Thos» who displayed their exuberance in the auditorium, however, always presented a remarkable spectacle. With every seat filled, emotional changes passed with great speed over spectators and delegates alike. Cheers and jeers alternated. The Convention managers continued to employ every mechanical means to heighten the psychological effect, including the flooding of the auditorium with coloured lights. The oratory was endless, and of uniform quality Old familiar phrases and worn slogans punctuated all the remarks. ° Although only eight '"Vice-Presidential candidates: achieved a place in the nomination, the first ballot recorded scattered the votes, for 16 names, a prominent manufacturer of . chewing gum receiving a single vote. The names of Mr. Herbert Hoover and Senator W. E. Borah, were not mentioned while Mr' Frank Lowden led with 222 votes, despite the fact that the chairman of the Illinois delegation had announced that Mr. Lowden still declined the honour The second ballot found 20 names mentioned, but Mr. Lowden and Congressman Burton divided the bulk of the votes Ilr.-Lowden receiving 413, and amidst the dull reverberation ot voices the States began to announce a change in the vote, the delegates going over to Lowden.

Ten thousand throats roared : "Make it Lowden!" Thus, when New York State, with its Inrge delegation of 91 persons went over to Lowden, a stampede occurred. The delegation chairmen released .their adherents, who immediately shouted "Lowden!" It was no simple confusion reigning now, but absolute pandemonium. People were jumping on their ' seats, and cinema lamps filled the auditorium' with blue light. The chairman's gavel was ineffective, as the clerk, in a hoarse whisper, attempted to announce the changing vote. ALL OVER AGAIN Mr. Lowden's nomination unanimously -was an accomplished fact, but he immediately declined again, and Mr. jMbndell moved that balloting be resumed.

The Convention reconvened with Mr. Lowden's refusal still ringing in the delegates'' ears. It was an open secret

that his refusal was punishment for the party leaders' perfidy in 1820, when they compelled him to relinquish Ilia chances of winning the Presidency in order to give Mr. Harding an open road.

The recess was employed by Mr. Coolidge's managers to arrange who should be chosen as the Vice-Presidential nominee. Congressman Burton was eliminated, chiefly because he represents the remnant of the old Senatorial faction, which is now considered anathema to Mr. Coolidge. The managers decided upon either Mr. Herbert Hoover or Mr. Dawes, and when the third ballot began Mr. Hoover, whose name was not even mentioned during the first two ballots, sprang majestically into prominence, ana the whole of the State delegations cast their votes for him en masse.

The clerk had earlier announced when the various railway trains weve leaving Cleveland. The Convention had been, sitting over a period of IS hours, and the delegates wanted to go home, and thus more readily accepted their leaders' dictates, especially since the delegates were ostensibly not required to think independently. Mr. C. G. Dawes's name then began spontaneously to gather votes. The Kepublican Party machine stowed itself in perfect working order. Mr. Dawes was the victor when the third ballot ended, and the motion to make it unanimous was adopted viva voce. There was only a mild hubbub, curiously enough, as the Convention completed' its last important act, and stood permanently adjourned.