The San Francisco call., 1904-06-23
SPEAKER CANNON OFFICIALLY
ASSUMES CHAIR AND Is GIVEN
VERY DEMONSTRATIVE GREETING
Only Contest of Days Session Arises on Question
of Representation of Territories and
Is Soon Settled.

terday for the first twenty-five minutes
after IL o'clock the band played TO
Eprinkling OF gallery spectators only. A
sea Of brown-backed chairs in the gal
lery and mezzanine was broken only
by an occasional dot of black or the
bright spot of a woman's gown Groups
Of sergeants-at-arms stood idly about
and in the delegates section half
dozen men leaned back and read the
morning papers
II was Just noon when Mr.. Root as
cended the platform, which he reacheo
by the rear entrance. Screened by the
groups OF convention officers and 9TH
ers, he was not seen by the crowd. Yes
terday q huge bunch Of pink peonies
graced the chairman's table, but to-day
a superb cluster Of American Beauty
roses stood ready TO greet Mr.. Cannon
when he assumed the chair
The hum OF conversation as the Coll
scum gradually filled had not been
broken by enthusiasm of any charac-
ter for some time. The aisles in the pit
were crowded with standing delegates,
only a portion of their seats being oc-
cupied. when at noon the New York
Senators and Governor Odell threaded
their way down the center aisle. A
cheer went up and the galleries facing
the main entrance began 10 applaud
This had hardly died out when the tail
figure Of Senator Fairbanks of Indiana
was caught sight OF coming down the
aisle to the left. A hearty cheer went
up in that section of the hall. Dele
gates at once sprang to their feet and
more cheers were given. As the Sen
atOr reached his seat in the Indiana
delegation reservation the ovation was
renewed.
Chairman Of the National Committee
Payne, Temporary Chairman Root and
L e l,, tons
mittee, with the platform in his inside
pocket, held an informal conference on
the platform. Everything for the days
programme in the way Of committee
reports was in readiness. Another shout
was heard 10 the left, and the pictur-
esque Alaskan delegation, with their
totem poles mounted with American
eagles. marched in and took their seats.
At 1918 o'clock the playing Of the
national air brought the assemblage to
its feet Flags were whipped out in va
rious parts of the hall and waved in
time with the music. Meanwhile the
gallery seats were being taken to
greater extent than on the day pre-
Vious.
ROOT RAPS FOR ORDER.
At 1922 p. m. Temporary Chairman
Root raped for order, directing the
delegates TO take their seats and order
ing the aisles cleared. This latter order
was not obeyed with sufficient celerity
TO please the chairman, and he directed
the assistant sergeant nt-at-arms to see
that the aisles were cleared. A second
specific direction from the chairman
brought the convention to order.
Chairman Root then introduced Rev.
Thomas i. Cox of the Holy Name
Cathedral Of Chicago, who delivered
the invocation.
The report Of the committee on Gre
I'll
viva vOce vote.
Senator Foraker moved that General
Osterhaus, distinguished German
veteran Of the Union army, be given a
seat. The motion was unanimously
adopted and the chair appointed Sena-
tor Foraker of Ohio and General Bing-
ham Of Pennsylvania a committee 10
escort General Osterhaus to the plat
form.
At this moment the convention burst
into applause as General Osterhaus
was escorted to the platform. Chair
man Root presented him TO the con-
vention as Major General Osterhaus
corps commander Of Sherman" The
general made brief speech, which was
listened to with interest. General Os-
terhaus said:
Permit me to thank you most hear
tily for the courtesy which permits me
10 appear before you. I was present at
the Republican Conventions in 1860 and
1864 when Abraham Lincoln was nomi-
mated, and I bespeak ror the nominee
Of this convention the same glorious
success"
The chairman then called for the
report Of the committee on permanent
organization.
Chairman W. NJ. johnson Of this
committee advanced TO the platform
and read IL.
So y
seph 9. Cannon had been selected for
permanent chairman Of the convention
provoked enthusiastic applause
On motion Of Senator Cullom the re-
port was adopted.
WARM WELCOME FOR CANNON.
Chairman Root appointed ex-Secre-
tary John d. Long, Senator Cullom and
Representative Burton of Ohio COM
mittee TO escort Speaker Cannon to the
platform. Upon this announcement the
convention gave mighty, spontaneous
shout. and when Mr.. Cannon appeared
at the speakers desk and Chairman
Root took him by the hand and led him
forward to the extreme front of the
platform the climax of enthusiasm was
reached Delegates with one accord
jumped to their feet and on their
chairs Cheer after cheer went up and
waves Of sound swept over the thronR
rary and permanent chairmen contfn-
ued to stand arm in arm waiting for
silence.
Mr.. Root raised his hand for silence.
The cheers went on without cessation
or diminution. Twice more Mr. Root
raised his hand for silence that was
not forthcoming. The delegates were
on their chairs and their enthusiasm
could not be checked
Mr.. Cannon appeared decidedly un-
comfortable while the cheering went
on, and shifted about as though the
floor underneath him was hot.
When finally there was a chance for
Mr.. Roots voice TO be heard he pre-
sented Mr.. Cannon to the convention as
man who presided over the greatest
legislative body in the world. with a
grip so strong, mind so clear and a
heart so sound that he would WELD the
gavel in that body for many years to
come" Another shout went up as Mr..
Root stepped back and Mr.. Cannon
stood alone, facing the audience.
As Mr.. Cannon turned to the front Of