The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-15
TRAMP, TRAMP, THE BOYS ARE MARCHING Delegations to Chicago Make
 Snowy ParadeS FAT MASCOT FROM MAINE Portland Man Weighs Nearly 500 Pounds-vlce Presidential Posi-
 tion Is Still Very Much
 In Doubt.
FAT MASCOT FROM MAINE

Chicago, June 14.-The New Jersey delegation. numbering, with the friends of members, about 50 people. band, made showy parade through the streets to the Auditorium Annex. IL was announced immediately after the arrival of the delegation that solid vote would be cast for Taft. New Eng land delegates became a feature of the crowd late today. Massachusetts came in without ex-Governor John D. Long one of the four delegates-at-la large, and three alternates missing of full dele gation. The absence of ex-Governor Long was attributed to his fear of the Chicago climate and was the subject of a good deal of comment, owing to the hard fight previous to the state convention in which he was strongly opposed, his selection as a delegate be- ing made possible only by the with drawal of ex-Governor Bates. The en- tire Massachusetts delegation will vote on the first ballot for the nomination of Governor Curtis B. Guild, Jr., of that state for Vice President.
 Big Mascot From Maine.
 Maine came in with party of 9, only two delegates missing. They held their caucus on the train and reelected ex-Governor John F. Hill of Augusta as member of the national committee. The delegation brought along as a mascot, A. H. Moulton of Portland, who is not delegate but tips the scales at 4S5 pounds. The delegation is un- pledged, excepting the first district which Is instructed for Taft, but the secretary of war is regarded as the favorite of the delegation as a wh ole Along with Maine and Massachuset $ came the delegation from New Hamp- shire, and being uninstructed their at titude with regard to the presidential candidate gave rise to considerable speculation. For the most part tho members sre>favorable to Mir, Fair { banks. In relation to the vice presi- dency, Senator Gallinger, chairman of the delegation, expressed the view that it unquestionably should go to New York.
 Iowans Arrive.
 The headquarters of the Iowa dele gation at the Auditorium Annex were formally opened today, the majority of the delegates and alternates afivins this morning.
 Fifteen members of the California dela- l gation arrived at 1 o'clock this morn- irg The other members of the delega- ton, including George A. Knight, who will second the nomination of Taft, pre- oeded the party to the hotel The con- test for delegates-at-large made vacant i by the absence of Joseph Neff of San | Francisco. was settled this afternoon by the selection of Alternate E. A. Chase Of Riverside to fill the position. After the arrival of the delegation it was decided 1 that members had no power to fill a vacancy by election and that an alter Date-at-large must be chosen for the rlace. A strong effort is being male Hammond for Vice President, but thus i far not with overwhelming success.
 Instructed For Taft.
 The delegation is instructed for Taft. With the Californians came five of the | siX members of the Idaho delegation, who are also instructed for Taft. Some of the members of the Idaho party favor | Hammond for second place.
 Three members of the Hawaiian dele ! gation arrived today. One or two If the members of the delegation stated | they were opposed to the nomination of 1 Taft, but would vote for him. Their op- position to Taft was that the secretary 1 had devoted too much attention to the Philippines to the exclusion of Hawaii 1 The Missouri delegation marched up so their hotel today 70 strong, decorated with | brilliant badges of white and gold. Ac- 1 cording to a number of the delegates, there has been no discussion of the vice | presidency. The Alabama and Florida delegates that were seated in national | committee held several caucuses during | today, it being expected that the rejected delegates would carry their cases to the | convention. Florida today reelected | James N. Coombs as a member of the I ational committee, M B. Mcfarland as | Q member of the committee on creden- | tials and chose Henry s. Clubb for the |