The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-06-23
AN OVATION GIVEN HIN
Personality and Popularity
OverShadOWS All Else.
Platform Calls for Reduction of Rep
resentation of States which Have
Enacted Laws Disfranchising
Voters by Unconstitutional
Methods.

Joseph G. Cannon was the central fig
ure the proceedings of the nationa
convention took on picturesqueness
and demonstrativeness which yesterday
was looked for In vain.
From the moment he was escorted tc
the platform to WELD the gavel as the
permanent Chairman, the entire atmos-
phere of the convention changed. En-
thousiasm which had laid dormant
burst forth and the applause rang true
and hearty. He made a speech and
the audience cheered. whether he spoke
Jocularly or in q serious vein. He was
the entertainer; in fact he was the
convention.
From the standpoint of political i'm
portance the adoption of the party
platform was the event of the day. 1t
contained declarations OF party policy
that are to form the basis of much of
the oratory in the coming campaign.
But the permanent chairmans person.
ality almost overshadowed the plat
form.
still According to Program.
The second day of the convention
might have been the close had 1t been
the desire of the assembled delegates.
Early in the day a movement was in
augurated to proceed with the nomina-
lions, but the original program which
was prepared to extend over three
for the 1904 Republican campaign will
be named formally tomorrow.
Live party enthusiasm aroused by
the hearty reception given Uncle Joe"
Cannon as he is known from coast to
coast, spread even to routine business
and eliminated in a contest over the
number of delegates to which Hawaii
was entitled. The conflict was the
first and doubtless will be the last on
the floor of the convention.
Only Fight ON the Floor.
The report of the Committee on Gre
dentfaIs accredited two deIega tes to
Hawaii. Senator Foraker offered an
amendment increasing the number to
six delegates. The occasion came
from supporters of a movement to limit
the representation of territories and
other voteless districts. 1t was dis
posed of through amendment TO the
rules offered by Representative Bling
ham, Chairman of the Committee. He
proposed that the representation here
after should be two, delegates from
Hawaii. but that the six delegates al
ready seated should not be disturbed.
It was carried by a vote of 497 to 400.
The report of the Committee on Gre
dentials interested the Convention only
80 far as It dealt with the Wisconsin
situation Senator McComas of Mary
land, Chairman of the Committee, read
p report of the investigation of the con-
teFt He took the delegates into the
confidence of the committee and eX-
claimed in detail that thorough can
vass was made into the merits of the
contest. despite the fact that the con-
testants had withdrawn their claims on
the ground that fair treatment could
not be had.
The LaFoIIette Charges.
He said the imputation was directed
at the Convention itself. and though re-
scented deeply by the committee, the in |
curry was exhaustive and patient. The |
report closed with a declaration that
the "stalwart" faction. led by Sena-
tors Spooner and Quarles. Representa-
tive Babcock and Judge Emil Baensch, |
the four delegates at large, is the reg
ular Republican Party in Wisconsin |
This National endorsement of the fac |
tion headed by the two United States |
Senators from that State evoked pro- !
1onged applause
One of the remarkable features con-
corning the adoption of the platform
was the fact that 1t has been the sub
Jcct of administrative scrutiny and ma
fional interest for many weeks and was |
accepted without a dissenting vote. |
In addition to the tariff plank and |
other resolutions which always have
had a prominent position in Republican |
platforms, there was Incorporated sew
eral clauses of striking interest One
o. these is a plank working to the re- |
duction of the representation of certain |
Southern States in the electoral college |
and in Congress. 1t is built upon what |
is known as the Payne resolution" |
offered eight years ago and the QUAY
resolution, offered four years ago. but |
goes further than either.
To Investigate Election Laws.
The plank directs an investigation IN |
constitutional acknowledgements Of /
voters in any state, and If so, demands |
n reduction of the representation of
such States in Congress, with the CON
scuuent reduction of the electoral col
leRe and in national conventions The
full significance of pledges for the con-
tinuance Of the provisions Of the Chi |
nese exclusion act and the furtherance
OF all legitimate efforts TO obtain for |
American citizens abroad without dis
elimination the rights of soiourners
and travel was not appreciated when
read to the Convention.
When Secretary Root. in introducing
Speaker Cannon. announced that ''he
would WELD the gavel in Congress for
many years to come" the scene that
followed was inspiring. Flags waved |
hats were thrown into the air, dele
gates jumped to their feet and then 10 1
their chairs. shouting wildly loudly 1
ana continuously
CnnnOn's Great Hit.
Speaker Cannon's oratory was deci-
dedly to the liking of the convention
He established cordial relations even
before he had uttered a word. He
stood In silence for moment on a
tongue-like projection in the centre of
the platform. His face fascinated. 1t
expressed abundant humor. strangely
blended with verile pugnacity. He
was pausing to think how to begin.
His thoughts were pictured on his
face They were pleasant: they were
inspiring.
lnstinctively he drew himself up and
Enthusiastically raised his hand for
Q gesture gwen hnfnra he smoke Then /.