The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-06-24


gers were sent out through the large
hall IL the effort to get the delegates
seated.
With three severe raps OF the CAV
el. Acting Chairman Paynes called
h convention to order at 1915.
He then introduced Rev. Timothy
p. Frost. pastor Of the First Meth
odist church Of Evanston, Ills, who
pronounced the opening prayer.
4 GaveI for Chairman Payne.
Senator Scott, on behalf OF the Chi
cago Citizens Committee. which CO.
operated wfer-the National Commit
tee on arrangements for the con
y%ention. hen presented National
Chairman Henry c. Payne with a
handsome gavel. 1t was large and
made for business. A hAavy gold
band was inscribed. "Mr. Henry c.
Payne. Chairman Republican Nation
al Committee, 1904"
Official Call for the Convention.
Mr.. Payne expressed his apprecia-
ton of the gift, and al once announced
that Secretary Elmer Dover. of the
National Committee. would read the
call of the convention. Mr.. Dover
delegated Mr.. Malloy, Of Ohio, n of
the reading clerks, to do the reading.
When he reached the signature of
the call. M. A. Hanna" h conven-
tlOIl illo SpOlitduCOuS dppLduSS
and cheers.
Chairman Payne recognized Cover
nor VanSant, of Minnesota, to present
the table used by the presiding officer.
Enthusiasm Greets Mention of RoOse-
velts Name.
It was made by the members Of
the South Minneapolis High School,
and. he said, had been used at Re
publican conventions in Minneapolis,
st. Louis and Philadelphia. He ask
ed the chairman to use it for this
convention, which would nominate
that fearless, invincib1e leader, The
odore Roosevelt. 1t was the first
mention of the Presidents name in
the convention, AID the delegates
rose to the sound as one man.
Cheers rang through the hall, and
many men sprang upon their chairs
n waved hats, banners n hand
kerchiefs.
Root Made Temporary Chairman.
After the applause had subsidized,
Chairman Payne in a few words ex-
pressed thanks for the gavel. He
hen said:
Gentlemen of the Convention, the
National Committee has selected for
your temporary chairman o Elihu
H. Root, of New York"
There was another shout from the
convention, which was prolonged
when Governor Odell, Of New York,
rose to move that the action of the
National Committee be approved.
Loud and continued applause greeted
Governor Odell, AMI it was Some
moments before he could put his
motion. 1t was at one adopted by
the convention. Mr.. Root vas greet
ed with renewed cheers as he ad-
vanced to the speakers stand.
80 49,
Roots appearance at the speakers
table, an immense oil painting of
President Roosevelt was unveiled at
his right. The tableau brought forth
a burst of enthusiasm. AS Mr.. Root
began to speak, the picture was re-
moved, and the sole attention of the
immense gathering was devoted to
the New York statesman. He had
hardly struck his stride when cries
of Louder were heard from far re-
cesSes of the hall. His voice soon
gained power, however, n his well
enunciated words rangS we'll through
the still hall.
The more striking sentences of his
speech were literally applauded.
h he reviewed in figures the in
crease of the money of the country
and announced h enormous sum Of
gold accumulated. the convention
became enthusiastic. All of these
details and figures, Mr.. Root pro-
ncunced without reference to men,
orandum. He turned his attention to
the administrators regulation OF
~trus:ts: and when he said, Blu no
honest industry has been suppress
ed" there was a round of approving
applause. The declaration that those
corporations which ~encroached or
the rights of the public had been cur
tailed to an extent never before
a.1lo oIo1 ~ox 49,
Discussing the Cuban question, Mr..
Root read the dispatch from President
Palmer to President Roosevelt when
the island was turned over. 1t was
the first time he had mentioned the
Presidents name, and the conven-
ton grasped the opportunity to APP
plaud. Shortly afterward he brought
in the name Of Secretary Taft, which
was also heartily a~pplauded. The
administrations Panama canal policy
received a round Of applause when
Mr.. Root declared that "the weak
lings would have postponed it's con-
struction to another generation"
Mr.. Roots challenge of "judg-
ment' upon these Republican admin
istrations was the signal for applause.
Reverential silence prevailed as the
speaker alluded briefly to the assas-
sination of President Mckinley, and
again applause as his successors rec
ord was reviewed.
Greatest Demonstration OF the Day.
Mr.. Root concluded his address
with the words Theodore Roose-
velt," and they provoked the greatest
demonstration Of the session. The
delegates climbed on their chairs and
tossed hats n handkerchief into
the air.
The roll Of temporary officers OF
the convention was then read by the
clerk and approved by the conven-
ton.
Senator Clark, of Montana, pre-
scented the following resolution: Re
solved. That until a permanent Of
ganiZation is affected, this conven-
ton be governed by the rules of the
National Republican Convention
This was adopted.
Tho convention unanimously ap-
proved the recommendation of the