Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-06-18
CONVENTION BEGINS WITH
JO|C|NGS OVER THE PARTY'S PAST
Senator Burrows Gives Glowing Account
Of @. O. P Achievements
Biggest Feature Is Great Season of
Cheering for Roosevelt

Chicago, June 17-Amid scenes OF
stirring enthusiasm, the republican
national convention Of 1908 began it's
deliberations at noon yesterday in
the presence Of an assemblage esti-
mated at upwards Of $4,000 eOple
with sounds of patriotic airs alter
mating with frenzied shouts for RoOse-
welt, Taft and other popular heroes,
the first tOcsin of the coming stTug
gle from the graceful orator of Mich
igan, Senator Burrows, and the in
itial 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 it afforded Of seeing
again this stirring picture Of people
assembled from every corner of the
country to select a candidate for pres,
jdent.
Committees Get to Work
The actual work Of the day was
quickly accomplished, and last night
the committees on credentials, plat
form, organization, etc, were prepar,
ing for important business to come
Early in the day all roads IN 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 shah
by section of the city. Here centered
the convention throngs-state dele
cations, singIy and in groups, some
with marching clubs and bands and
banners for their favorites, the Ohio
delegation with a huge blue silk
standard bearing the portrait Of Sec
rotary Taft At front and rear the
great building 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
Great Sea of Humanity.
The scene when the vast assem-
blage was called to order. was one Of
impressive dignity of animation and
of color. In the central arena sat the
delegates, almost 1000 strong, and
back of them their aIternates. another
thousands, with the standards of the
states rising here and there above the
turbulent sea of heads. Points of
Immediately in front, were
held by Ohio, New York, Pennsyl- |
vania, Indiana and Wisconsin, each i
having a candidate, while farther |
back, rank after rank, were ranged
other states. territories and island
possessions. Around this central mass
swept long lines of spectators, in ris-
ing tiers and in solid masses. Higher I
up another gallery made the entire
circuit of the vast enclosure. Above
this ever-moving, kaleidoscope scene
bent a huge semi-circular. roof, its :
steel Orders looped with bunting and
ablaze with electric devices, while !
on every side the national cOlors
were woven into sunbursts, shields ;
and patriotic symbols. In front Of the !
delegates stretched q mammoth plat
form, accommodating 1000 distin1
guished guests, including ambassa- /
doris and ministers from foreign |
states, besides officers of the conven- |
ton and members of the national |
On, littee.
Wisconsin Demonstration.
Just as the opening hour arrived,
the Ohio delegation swung down the |
middle aisle bearing alOft the blue /
siIken banner with the portrait of
Ohio's candidate. A great demon
followed and when it les
sened Wisconsin stirred the echoes
with a real college yell which re- !
sounded through the building and ex-
ploded with a final "Rah, Rah, Rah, '
closing it all with the
cry of La Toilette"
At 12:1S Chairman New stilled the !
tumult and with brief formalities in
PRODUCED the temporary presiding Of
dcer. Senator Burrows of Michigan.
TumuIi for Roosevelt.
His speech dealt with the party's
record and achievement. Not until
The senator made first mention OF
Roosevelt" did the words seem to
start the assemblage as by a magic
thrill Instantly the speech was
drowned in a great shout which went
up from every side as the delegates
sprang to their feet, waving hats,
echoing back the tumult of the gal
1eries, where fluttering handkerchtets,
fans and parasols broke into moving
color and the whole assemblage joined
in a vociferous demonstration. For
moment it seemed as though one Of
those record breaking uproars Of the
DAYS of Blaine and Mckinley would
sweeD the convention from its moor
fngs. But the first outburSt spent it.
self within a minute; gradually it
subsidized. until calm came again, and
soon the orator was proceeding with
the record of the party's achieve
ments. Every succeeding mention Of
the presidents name brought another
wave of enthusiastic tribute. 'The
names of Taft and Root also sent
cheers ringing from gallery to gal
Iery. Aside from the names Of idols,
the speakers words awakened stir
of enthusiasm for the navy, the man
behind the gun" the continued occu-
patton of the Philippines, and tariff
revision which would give Just and
ADEQUATE protection to American In
m