The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-06-06
Hurried Conference.


representatives of all the anti-Taft
forces, 1t was decided to reduce the
protests to writing and have hem pre-
sented to the committee before the oon-
tests were taken up. The protests
were sent to w. F. Aldrich formerly
a member of Congress from Alabama
and one of the contesting delegates at
large from the Scott-Davidson anti
Taft delegation from that state. 1t
recited the fact that Mr.. Hitch cock is
directly interested in the nagement
of one of the candidates directly in
volved in the case, and therefore dis
qualified to sit in judgment" upon it.
1t also declared that Mr.. Hitchcock did
not reside, and is not qualified voter
in the territory he claims to represent,
and was not a regularly properly
chosen national committeeman from
that territory. Similar representations
were made in regard to Messrs. Slater
and Phelps.
Mr.. Aldrich presented the protest to
the committee, and in connection stated
that he did not regard it proper that
they should be compelled to present
their arguments to members who had
an. interest in the outcome.
Streets Objections.
"All care to say, in reply" said o.
d. Street, United States attorney for
the Northern district of Alabama and
the chief legal counsel for the Thomp-
son faction, instructed for Taft 'is
that Charles H. Scott, the member of
the committee from Alabama, is sitting
as judge in this case, and it appears
to me that he is interested in the out
come"
Mr. Scott Is one of the delegates at
large elected by the Scott-Davidson fac
ton, which was supposed to be anti-Taft
Debate on the question was shut off
by A. M. Stevenson, the member from
Colorado, who promptly moved to lay
the protest on the table. The motion car
ried, Mr. Scott of Alabama being the
only member who opposed it on a viva
voce vote.
The Alabama contest affecting the four
delegates at large and the two delegates
from each of the congressional districts,
~ in all, was then taken up
Inc Alabama cases, by agreement of
all parties concerned, were consolidated,
and therefore two hours were given to
each side. 1t was regarded as the most
important of all the contests, because Of
the fact that % delegates were involved,
and 1t is first in the list of states that
Will be called in the convention when
nominations are being made. The cand-
date securing the delegation from Ala
bama Is sure to be the first placed in
nomination, because the state having no
candidate of it's own always Yields 10
that state presenting the candidate fav-
ored by Alabama.
First Contestants.
The Scott-Davidson faction being the
first to file its contest, was given one
and one-half hours to open, the Thomp-
son faction following with two hours.
and the Scott-Davidson people closing in
half an hour.
The principal arguments in the opening
for the Scott-Davidson people were made
by Judge Asa E. Stratton of Montgom-
cry, a leader of the ant-Taft forces He
used almost all of the time allotted to his
side for the opening, although Mr.. AL
drich and ]. H. Manning, postmaster at
Alexander, spoke briefly. The latter
charged that the Taft convention had
been controlled by federal officeholders
and directed from Washington.
The Taft forces, under general direc-
tion of Ormsby McHarg of Washington
were represented by o. d. Street, United
States attorney for the northern district
of Alabama; William Fairly of Birming-
ham, member of the executive board
Of the United Mine Workers association,
and NJ III. Alexander, negro, of Mont
gomery. The legal argument was by Mr.
Street During his speech favoring the
seating Of the delegates headed by State
Chairman Thompson, he produced a copy
of a circular letter sent out by Mr.. AL
drich of the anti-Taft faction, calling
<rONnuNuIUn FROM u ACE ~