Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-06-18

| oHlSoSO, JuIIc lI-llc StCOIu udN
of the Republican national convention
has brought the long expected Roose-
welt yell, a Whirlwind of enthusiasm
which ragged within the vast amphi-
theater of the Coliseum for full A
minutes today, and for a time pre-
senting to the timid the spectre of a
Roosevelt stampede. This demonstra-
ton was decidedly the feature of a
day otherwise notable for a stirring
speech from the permanent chairman
of the convention, Senator Henry Cab
OF Lodge of Massachusetts, for much
practical procedure in placing the con-
vention on a smooth running, and for
the final defeat of the plan to reduce
the representation of Southern states
at future national conventions.
Probably the most important act Of
the day and the one having greatest
significance was the adoption of the re-
port Of the committee on credentials,
seating the Taft delegations practical
ly in toto If there had been any lin
gering doubt of the Taft strength it
disappeared before this decisive action,
which in effect placed upwards of 700
delegates in the Taft column.
Next in Importance and most
remarkable, was the final acceptance
of this result by the "Allies," without
the formality of dissenting minority
report, and without carrying the ques-
ton to the floor of the convention for
the open fight which had been long
threatened. Instead of this all further
opposition seemed to crumble; those
who had promised trouble quietly ac-
cepted the inevitable, and thus the
path was cleared for the fullfilment Of
plans already we'll matured for the
nomination of the head of the ticket
Favortes, still have, however, their
bands of steadfast supporters, who will
show their loyalty when the first bal
lot is taken The scene within the Col
iscum today repeated that of yester-
day in the magnitude and brilliancy OF
it's spectacular features. Again every
seat was occupied and $4,000 people
packing floors and aisles and galleries
ard platform. Joined in the ebb and
flow of the agitation and enthusiasm.
Temporary Chairman Burrows called
the convention to order promptly at
1920, but the delay of committees in
reporting gave an hour for diversion
before the work of the day was be-
gun. This time was given over to the
visiting clubs with bands and vocal
choruses, bearing banners and strange
devices of elephants. In front
Of the delegates paraded this throng,
eliciting laughter and applause. The
hit of the parade was glee club which
halted before the Ohio delegation and
varied the enlivening strains of BILLY
Taft, yep that's me" with melan-
choly dirge for Bryan.
This diversion over the convention
turned to the committee representa-
tives. First was that Of credentials
the very foundation on which dele
gates held their seats and voted. 1t
was presented by Senator Fulton OF
Oregon in a three-mnute speech stat
ing that the action of the natlonai
committee had been fully justified and
upheld For moment delegates looked
about for the fire breathing Bookwal-
ter of Indiana. who had led the minor
ity forces and had promised lively
fight on the floor But Mr.. Bookwalter
sat with the Indiana delegation. shak-
ing his head in answer to inquiries and
announcing that the fight had Deen
abandoned as only three delegates
would undertake to bear the brunt OF
the convention on the floor. The re-
port was quickly approved with only
a few scattered votes in opposition.
The presentation of the report on
permanent organization was the sig
nal to Senator Burrows to yield his
place az temporary chairman ana 10
escort TO the platform the permanent
chairman of the convention. senator
Lodge of Massachusetts. Mr.. Lodge,
business like, looked as from later
generation than the white-haired re-
firing chairman. His voice. too. had
that resonant New England twang
which made it ring out to the fur-
thest corners of the galleries. carrying
metaphor which started the listeners
to attention and applause.
"The fevered fancy of an uneasy
dream" was his indictment hurled at
the visionary policies Of opposition
parties The applause had hardly died
away when Mr.. Lodge launched his
sentence which electrified the assem-
blage into it's first real demonstra-
ton of wild enthusiasm.
"The President" exclaimed Mr..
Lodge, sis the best abused and the
most popular man in the United States
today"
This was the long awaited Sig
nal. Instantly a shout broke from the
galleries and was echoed back from
the floor, at first only tempest Of
detached yeils and catcalls and shouts
of Teddy" but gradually gathering
force and volume swelled to a whirl-
wind of sound and motion as delegates
and spectators rose en- masse, mount
ing chairs. waving banners, hats,
flags. maps. anything
which could be seized upon to add tur-
bulence to the scene. =