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Show Dispute Ovtr a Political Distinction. In an event dating only fifty years ago, of such historic interest as the formation of a great political party, it is hard to conceive that there could be a dispute, nowever, such happens to be the case as to the first Republican State convention. . A contention over this distinction has caused no little embarrassment to President Roosevelt. It has been contended for years that the first Republican convention of State proportions was held in Jackson, Jack-son, Mich., on July 6, 1834, and arrangements have been in progress for months to properly celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of this event next July. The President had provisionally accepted an Invitation to attend, when Minnesota, New Hampshire and Vermont set up claims to have held Republican conventions con-ventions prior to that date. Naturally a Republican President would hesitate about making a decision as to rival claims in this respect, especially in a campaign year. President Roosevelt has therefore declined to lend his presence pres-ence to the Michigan celebration. The New York Republicans are making preparation prepara-tion to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of their organization or-ganization at Saratoga August 16, 1904, and desire the President to go there. As that celebration will not conflict with the claims of any other State, the President may decide to accept that invitation, although al-though this is not conclusive. |