The Washington herald., 1908-02-07

Taft and Anti Taft Dele
gates Are Named.
TWO SETS OF RESOLUTIONS
OfficehOldeFs Approve Administra-
tiOn, While Opposition Objects to
publican Presidential Candidate.
Various District Conventions.

/ St Augustine Fla, Feb. 6.-Taft first
last and all the time. was the sentiment
of the Republican State convention held
here to-day by the Federal oficehoLders.
but the anu-Taft forces split of and
held their convention in the same hall
and at the same time and sent an uniu-
structed delegation.
The widest disorder prevailed through
out the day but neither side gave way
and each faction elected delegates to
the national convention.
The omeehoiders elected Joseph Z. Lee.
a negro, secretary Of the state central
committee and collector Of internal rev.
erue for the district Of Florida, as chair
man Of their convention. and adopted
resolutions instrucdng their delegation
for Taft
The opposition was presided over 10y. J.
II. Diclerson, grand master Of the negro
Masonic fraternity. but their convention
was dominated by Joseph y. Stripping.
former United States district attorney,
who bad sent 10 the chmrmea OF the
various county committees a letter. I'm
which he stated that the friends Of
Senator Knox. Vice President Fairbanks
and Speaker Cannon had requested him
10 assist them in the contest for dele
gates 20 the national convention.
Sure of Seats.
This letter which was in possession Of
tile other side. stated that "the delegation
which We propose 70 send. even though
it be upon a contest. will be seated"
The oficeholders' convention adopted
resolutions approving the policies Of the
Roosevelt administration, and the con-
servative manner in which he has car
ricd them out. and instructed the dele
gates elected TO the national convention
10 support the Presidents policies and
the candidate who is in sympathy with
and who VIII carry out those policies,
and then proceeded to name William H.
Taft as such candidate.
The anu-Taft convention adopted reso-
luti0ns condemning in strong terms the
attempts TO influence and control by use
of Federal patronage, through govern
ment officehOlders. the selection of dele
gates TO the national convention in the
interests Of any Presidential candidate
The ofiiceholders' convention elected as
delegates 10 the national convention J. "
Coombs. member of the national commit
tee from Florida; Joseph Z. Lee. colorcd.
collector of internal revenue. Henry \.
Chubb, receiver Of the United States
land Office at Gainesville. and NJ B. Mac
FaTlane. collector Of customs at Tampa.
-Four aIternates were also elected
The anti-Taft convention elected as
delegates Joseph Y. Stripping, J. DE Y.
Hazard, J. II. DickeTs0n, and r. r Rob
inson, the two latter being colored. They
also elected four alternates.
District Conventions.
The Congressional district conventions
Of tile First and Second districts of Flor
ida were held by each faction immedi-
ately after the adjournment of the State
convention. and each of these c0nven-
tions elected two delegates TO the national
convention and adopted the same resolu-
tions as the State conventions of the re-
specuve factions had already adopted.
Never had such sight been witnessed
as was presented in the convention haH.
The city marshal ard a dozen policemen
were on duty and were frequently called
upon 10 eject unruly delegates Nine
teuths of both conventions were made up
OF negroes. and Northern visitors stopping
let the hotels were treated TO a sample
of what RrDUbliCaDiSm means i'm Florida