Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-02-07
ANTi-ROOSEVELT MEN
Try to Run Florida Convention and
Kick Up Row.

st Augustine, Fla, Feb. 6.-F'lorda
Republicans stand out conspicuously
today as the first to hold their conven-
ton 10 select delegates to the nation
al convention and it is said here that
the strenuous ana exciting scenes of
the day are 4 forecast Of similar SCENES
i'll ether Southern states. caused by
the efforts &c anti-Rooscvelt Republic
cans 10 control the national ,onven-
ton.
The convention here TO-DAY was real
~ two conventions held ut the same
time in the same hall and business was
frequently interrupted by knock down
and draW-out fights. The OfiiCchod-
erS' faction was called to order by the
chairman Of the state committee and
its members proclaimed themselves the
Regulars, bu. they did not succeed i'll
carrying out the pre-arranged pro-
gram. Tho Taft sentiment was too
strong for the leaders to hold in
check. and resolutions were adopted
endorsing William IT. Taft for PreSi-
dent. On the other side of the hall the
contrasting convention took c0nserva-
tive action and chose delegates I'M
trameled by instructions. positive as
surance being given by Joseph w.
STRIPPING, who led the movement, that
despite the fact that they were brand
ed as boilers by the other convention,
the delegates they named would be
seated in the national convention.
The otficeholders' convention adopt
ed resolutions approving the policies
Of the Roosevelt administration and
the conservative manner in which the
President has carried them out and
instructed the delegates to the nation
al convention t. support those policies
and the candidate who is in sympathy
with them and will carry them out. 1t
then named William H. Taft as such
candidate.
Ihe anu-Taft convention adopted
resolutions condemning in strong
terms the attempts to influence and
control by use of federal patronage
through governmental officeholders,
the selection of delegates to the ma
tional convention.
Thc oftCehoderS' convention elected
as delegates to the national conven-
ton j. Coombs. member of the nation
al committee from Florida; Joseph F.
revenue; Henry S. Chubb, receiver of
IT,, United States land office at
Gainesville; c. Il. Mcfarland, collect
or of customs at Tampa, and four al
tcrnateS
Tha anti-Taft convention elected as
delegates Jose II. STRIPPING, former
United States attorney; J. Dey Haz-
card, J. II. Dickerson, II. r. Robinson,
The two latter cOiorcd. and four alter
mates.
The congressional district conven-
tions Of the 1st and I'd Districts of
Florida were held by each faction i'm
nediatciy after the adjournment Of
the state convention and each of these
conventions elected two delegates to
the national convention and adopted
the same resolutions rs the state con-
Ventions of the respective factions had
already adopted.
The city marshal and a dozen police
men were on duty in the hall and were
frequently called upon to eject unruly
delegates.
The Taft convention had a complete
delegation from each county. aggregnt-
ing ~. In the opposition convention
'here We're two or three counties rep-
resented, but about $50 delegates par
ticipated. The Taft convention NOM
mated hve Presidential electors.