The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-06-22
First Days Programme Carried Out Without SembIanCt
 of a Hitch
EL|HU ROOT LAYS DOWN
 THE REPUBLICAN POLICY
Makes Long and Tedious Speech as Temporary Chairman and Is Ap- pIauded-Fairbanks Will
 Be Nominated.

Chicago, June 21.-Without disturbing element to impede smooth operation the first days programme far the republican national convention was carried out like clock work Not a jarring sound was heard not false. step was taken. It was an assembly of noncombative dele gates which carried into effect without the thunderous demonstrations usually attendant upon political conventions a purpose that had been clearly defined, an organization perfected preparatory to the adoption of platform and the mak- Ing of nomination in the succeeding days of the convention. From the quiet, yet unmistakable enthusiasm provoked ny Senator Fairbanks arrival at the Coli seum his nomination for Vice President is but little less assured than the nomi- nation of Theodore Roosevelt for Presi- dent
 fhe keynote to the convention of 1904 was sounded by Hon. Elihu Root in his speech as temporary chairman. His ad- dress was a review of the accomplish ments of the present administration, and defense of republican policies in gener- al When that had been delivered and the various working committees dispatch ed to their labor. the business of the first days session was completed.
 Not Much Warmth.
 Another picture was presented by the opening day so different from the custo- mary convention scenes as to attract marked attention. It was the failure of the delegates and the spectators to warm to the spirit of the occasion. Mention of President Roosevelt was responded to with hearty though not prolonged ap- plause. The lack of contest eliminated the necessity for enthusiastic display of feeling, and the mild cheering and rather listless handicap, which was the greet Ing given impartially to national figures of the party, was all that probably could be expected under the circumstances.
 The lack of public interest in the con- vcntion was evidenced by the large num- Der of spectators seats vacant. Seats at former republican conventions usually brought a premium. Today spectators offered them, but there were few takers, and as the hour approached for the con- vention to assemble. they sold them for song
 The incidents which are destined to live long after the spasmodic demonstrations have been forgotten, are MT. Roots trb- utes to President Mckinley. The tenn porary chairman spoke of the late Pres idents administration of progress; his gentleness of character and those qual- ties so beloved by the nation, and in that connection said feelingly:
 Refers to Senator Hanna.
 And with Mckinley we remember Hanna
 hush almost oppressive spread over the 7000 or more persons present. The speaker had paused expectantly. As he started to resume, the full force of the tie stretched between the two greatest of the recent political heroes, went home to the delegates The applause started m- mediately in a sympathetic wave. This was carried to every part of the great hall. The demonstration was unlike any that had preceded it or that came after. An indefinable dignity was attached to the demonstration which seemed foreign to political gathering. The first speech at the convention was by Senator Scott who Informally presented to Chairman Payne a beautiful gsvel
 Today's programme of the convention was not of a nature to attract more than ordinary interest The matter of greatest Importance was the presenting to the con vention of the proposition to admit the delegates from the Philippine islands and Porto Rico. MT. Root asked for ruling nn the question of calling the names of the new possessions on the roll for the raming of members of the various com
 
 ing and recognition of six delegates from the Philippines with two votes and two delegates from Porto Rico.
 In the convention hall today there was one woman delegate, who had the same right to vote that was held by each ac- credited male delegate. She was Mrs. Charles A. Eldredge of Colorado Springs, Colo an alternate delegate whose prin- cipal was absent Other women alternates present were Mrs. Owen Lefevre of Colo of Jol, fico Jennie Nelson of Utah. these states hay Ing woman suffrage.
 Mr. Roots speech as temporary chair man fellows:
 'The responsibility of government rests upon the republican party The compli- cated machinery through which So 0O0 ono people of the United States govern them selves. answers to no single will The composite government devised by the framers of the constitution to meet the conditions of national life more than a century ago, requires the willing CO., operation of many minds, the continuation of many independent factors in every forward step for the general welfare.
 s.The President at Washington will his cabinet, the 90 senators representing 45 sovereign states. the 3s6 representatives in congress-are required to reach con- current action upon multitude of ques- t;ons involving varied and conflicting in- terests and requiring investigation, in- formation, discussion and reconciliation If views From all our vast territory with it's varieties of climate and industry, from all our great population active in production and commerce and social progress and intellectual and moral life to degree never before attained by any people-difficult problems press upon the national government.
 within the past five years more than s;xtv-sfx thousand bills have been in- troduced in congress. Some method of selection must be followed There must be some preliminary process to ascertain the general tenor of public judgment. and some rganization and recognition of lead ership which shall bring legislative ma 5arity and the executive into accord in