Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-06-19
Convention Opens.

.onned the convention to order. He in
..aduced the Rev. John Wesley Hill of
New York City, who opened the session
with prayer.
senator Fuller of Oregon was recon-
rissioned to introduce George II. Will
toms. the last surviving member of
President Grants cabinet and Il MEM
her of the Oregon delegation. He was
attorney general under President Grant
and is now over 80 years Of age. He
,ras escorted to the platform.
senator Hopkins received the recog-
n;tion of the Chair and there was a
wave of applause as he stepped to the
stage.
representative Cooper of Wisconsin,
collected to make a minority report on
the platform, also went to the stage
with a ripple of plaudits following him
and Chairman Lodge formally present
cd Senator Hopkins.
~ am instructed" said Senator Hop
lins. ito present in the convention
"louder" the speaker was interrupted)
"tbe following report"
Louder, louder came the shouts
nc Senator Hopkins began the first
sentences of the prepared platform.
az can't go any louder" explained
tho senator and continued to read from
tvpewritten manuscript.
The reader soon came to the first
massage of the preamble according
high praise to the President and there
was applause but no attempt at dem
Onstration.
The members of the New York del
egation were provided today with silk
en- American flags mounted on spear
tipped stats of brass.
Although Senator Hopkins has a re-
sonant voice the roar of conversation
swclled steadily and some of the
nlanks were not heard clearly by the
mass of the delegates.
The tariff revision plank was not
heard or if it was it was disregarded
entirely Not a single handicap follow
ed the reading of the plank.
The noise of conversation increased
steadily and soon Senator Hopkins
was practically submerged in the vo-
cal struggle. Chairman Lodge sat
quietly at his desk, taking little APP
parent note of the situation. A white
shouted, "Mr. Chairman, bring some
order
Bang went the chairmans gavel
and he said:
THE Chair must request the gal
leres to cease from conversation so
audible as to prevent the delegates
from hearing the resolutions
The hall was instantly quiet and
Senator Hopkins went on. The roar of
voices. however. soon again became
prominent and swelled steadily.
When the anti-injunction plank was
received, the words "integrity of the
courts" called forth applause. There
were cries OF "no, no." when the sug-
gestion was made that necessity eX-
listed for change in the present man.
ner of issuing injunctions. The con-
cnsion Of the plank was generously
applauded.
The reference to the negro and the
reiteration of the party's demand for
the enforcement of tn 18th. 14th and
18th amendments to the constitution
called out brief applause.
FOR time the delegates on the
hohr called for order in an effort to
stop the roar of conversation which
swelled from all quarters of the hall.
senator Hopkins also turned in APP
peal to the Chair Senator Lodge
pounded on the table but his admoni-
noh was needed for only few sec
onis when the hum of voices again
grew to the proportions that practical
drowned the speakers husky and
last-failing voice.
Inc vigorous waving of fans by the
l4NW spectators and delegates in the
N'i'seum. gave to the immense living
re'ure as viewed from the stage. the
hattering effect of kinetoscopic film
on exhibition.
SENATOR Hopkins made another APP
zeal to the chairman for a semblance
:" order and Senator Lodge welded
'he gavel with some strength but
aealh the rapping was of little avail
peiegates and spectators alike were
SUI lost in discussion of the anti
junction plank and seemed to have
Htie concern with the other features
~ outlined by the reader.
SENATOR Hopkins went steadily on
""ldst the din and the reading of the
piallorm was concluded at 1116.
move the previous question on the
,eport have just read and the minor
~ winch will be read by Representa-
r'e cooper" said Senator Hopkins.
.ansas and Ohio seconded the motion
sa u was put to a viva voice vote and
aso'ared carried, although there were
a"y noes raised in opposition.
representative Cooper, as he adj
.ahced to the front, was greeted with
'eers from the Wisconsin delegation.
'cne came from any other direction.
s"alrman Lodge, before Mr.. Cooper
saa the reading of his report, an
t,.1 that the debate on the ques-
0n would he confined within 40 min
u, one-half to each side. Senator
o. he said. would have charge
t.. "'e debate on the side of the major
MI; ana Representative Cooper for the