Los Angeles herald., 1908-06-17
DELEGATES ARE
IN CONVENTION
But TWO HOURS
NAME OF ROOSEVELT WILDLY
CHEERED
WORK OF COMMITTEES is IN
PROGRESS
Alabama, with Two Sets of Officers
for Its Delegation, Presents
Problem That Is Soon
Overcome

CHICAGO, June 16.-Amid scenes or
stirring enthusiasm the Republican
national convention of 1908 began it's
deliberations at noon today in the
at more than $4,000 people, with the
sounds of patriotic airs alternating
with the frenzied shouts for Roose-
velt. Taft and other popular heroes,
the first tocsin of the coming struggle
from the graceful orator of Michigan.
Senator Julius Caesar Burrows, and
the initial formalities which started
this momentous gathering into motion.
The opening session lasted less than
two hours and was less notable for
the business accomplished than for the
opportunity 1t offered of seeing again
this stirring picture of the people as
sembled from every corner Of the
country to select a candidate for pres
ident of the United States.
The actual work of the day was
quickly accomplished and tonight the
various important committees Gre
dentials, platform, organization, ETC.
are preparing for the more important
business to come.
Early in the day all roads into Chi
cago turned toward the huge stone pile
known as the Coliseum, with its back
toward Lake Michigan and its Gothic
turrets fronting a rather shabby Sec
tion of the city. Here centered the
convention throngs-state delegations,
singly and in groups, some with march
ing clubs and bands and banners for
their favorites, the Ohio delegation
with huge blue silk standard bearing
the portrait of Secretary Taft.
Coliseum Crowded
ing was besieged by steady streams of
humanity until at noon almost every
seat in the structure was occupied and
great crowds stood outside to catch the
echoes from within.
The scene when the vast assemblage
was called to order was one of i'm
pressive dignity, of animation and of
color. In the central arena sat the DEL
egates, almost one thousand strong,
and back of them their alternates. an
other thousand in number, with the
standard Of the states rising here and
there above the turbulent sea of heads.
The points of vantage Immediately
in front were held by Ohio, New York,
Pennsylvania, Indiana and Wisconsin,
each having a candidate, while farther
back were ranged the other states, the
territories, Hawaii, Porto Rico, the
Philippine islands and Alaska, appro-
priately forming the outlying fringe of
the official delegations. Around this
central mass of delegates and alter
mates swept the long lines of specta-
tors, in rising tiers and in solid masses
of men and women, the latter in gay
hued summer gowns and with hutter-
ing fans and waving handkerchiefs.
Higher up another gallery topped the
vast enclosure.
High up above the vast assemblage
bent the huge semi-circular roof, its
steel girders looped with bunting and
ablaze with electric devices, while on
every side the national colors were
woven into sunbursts, shields and pa
triotic symbols.
Distinguished Guests
In front of the delegates stretched
the mammoth platform. 200 feet square
and accommodating 1900 distinguished
guests, including ambassadors and
ministers from foreign states, besides
the officials of the convention and mem
bers of the national committee.
The moments before the gavel fell
gave the opportunity to inspect the
personnel of delegates and leaders
Grouped in front of the New York del
egation were Seth Low and Gen. Stew
art L. Woodford, the supporters OF
Hughes, and further back Senator
Chauncey M. Depew, former Governor
Odell, Serene E. Payne, chairman of
the ways and means committee, ana
former Governor Timothy L. Wood-
ruff
Flanking them were the Knox forces.
Governor Stuart of Pennsylvania st
the front, with Senator Boies Penrose
and Representatives John Dalzeli and
Burke of Pittsburg, the personal repre-
sentatives of Mr.. Knox.
In the van Of the Ohio contingent sat
Governor Harris beside j. Warren
Keifer and Wade Ellis, the latter the
craftsman of the new platform; Rep
resentative Theodore E. Burton, who
is to put Taft in nomination. and the
three close lieutenants of Taft, former
Governor Herrick, A. I. Vorys and
Charles P. Taft.
Just back of the Ohio leaders werc
Senators Lodge and Crane, surrounded
by the Massachusetts phalanx; to the
right Senators Cullom and Hopkins,
with Governor Deneen of Illinois; May
or Fred Busse of Chicago and the Can
non forces; and to the left, Senators
Beveridge and Hemenway, Governor
Hanly, George Ade and the Fairbanks
forces.
1t was truly a gathering of the giants
of the party, and every group had It's
figure conspicuous in national affairs.
Bear Taft Banner
Just as the opening hour arrived the
Ohio delegation swung down the mid
die aisle bearing aloft a blue silken
banner with the portrait of Ohio's can
didate.
Taft! Taft" went up from a thou
sand throats as the well known face OF
the secretary candidate was borne to
the front. Cheer after cheer re-echoed
from floor to gallery and back again,
and for a time Chairman New was un-
able to proceed with the opening for
malities.
Again Wisconsin stirred the echoes
with a real college yell which sounded
through the building and exploded with
final "Rah, rah, rah, Wisconsin,"
closing 1t all with the cry of 'Lafol-
lette.''
1t was not until 12:1S that Chairman
New stilled the tumult and with brief
formalities introduced the temporary
presiding officer of the convention. Sem
ator Burrows of Michigan. The vener-
able senator, white-haired, white-tied,
white-vested, spectacled and dtgnified.
in his long black coat, stepped forward,
a ponderous roll of manuscript In his
hand.
Slowly the buzz of confusion died