The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-29
JOHN TEMPLE GRAVES
 GETS SECOND PLACE
 ON THE FIRST BALLOT
Convention Transacts Business With a Rush and Adopts Radical Platform, Denouncine Both the Old
 Parties and Their
 Principles.

Chicago. July 2s.-For observation-disclosures Hsgen of Massachusetts.
 For Vice President-John Temple Graves of Georgia.
 The independence party at Its hrst na- tional convention here tonight put na- tional ticket in the field and adopted platform of principles Thomas Hisgen of Massachusetts was nominated Tor President on the third ballot and John Temple Graves was nominated for Vice President on the first ballot. Hisgen s opponents were M w. Howard of Ala bama, John Temple Graves of Georgia. w. R. Hearst though not candidate, received a complimentary vote of half hundred.
 The first ballot stood: Hisgen, 396; How ard, 2O0 Graves 213; Lyon, n; Hearst, 49. There being no nomination on the first ballot. the roll call was ordered for the second time, which resulted as follows: Hisgen, 5sO; Graves, 1S9; Howard, 1Os; Hearst, 49.
 On the third ballot the vote set steadily toward Hisgen, and it was soon evident that his nomination was certain. Vir- ginia broke from Graves and placed him within a few votes of success. Then came Washington with 10 votes for Hlsgen and he was nominated. There was a scramble for the band wagon. Georgia changed from Graves to Hisgen, and then they came too rapidly to count Alabama with drew the name of Howard after Hsgen had been actually nominated, and cast it's vote for Graves.
 The third ballot resulted:
 Hisgen, sS1; Howard. 3S; Graves, [; Hearst, g.
 Roar of Applause.
 roar of applause followed the an- pouncement of the ballot and motion making unanimous the nomination was adopted with yell. The usual parade of standards around the hall then com menced while the band played patriotic airs The women in the center box sS who had been prominent when Hisgen was placed in nomination, again took part in the demonstration by wildly waving scarfs and fans. The uproar continued eight minutes and then committee was sent to escort MT Hisgen to the hall.
 Chairman Walsh appointed as mem bers of the escorting committee Messrs. Howard Graves and Lyon, who hal just been competitors of the Massd- chusetts man.
 While the committee was seeking the nominee, the roll call for a vice presi- dential candidate was begun.
 Clarence J. Shearn of New York pre- sented the name of John Temple Graves and ask ed that it be given the unanimous vote of the convention.
 Charles F. Neal of Indiana, Stephen Charters of Connecticut and Howai d Taylor of Illinois also were placed n nomination.
 Graves was nominated on the first ballot. The convention then adjourned sine die.
 The Platform.
 It was not until 5:2o o'clock that the committee on resolutions expressed it. self as ready to report. As read by Clarence J. Shearn of New York the platform was as follows
 We, independent American citizens. representing the independence party in A states and two territories, have met in national convention to nominate, abso- lutely independent of all other political parties, candidates for President and Vice President of the United States.
 "Our action is based upon determina- ton to wrest the conduct of public af- fairs from the hands of selfish inter- ests, political tricksters and corrupt bosses and make the government as the founders intended, an agency for the common good. At a period of unexam- pied national prosperity and promise q staggering blow was dealt to legitimate business by the unmolested practice of stock watering and dishonest financier- ing Mutitudes of defenseless investors, thousands of honest business men, and an army of idle workingmen are paying hv wasteful and reckless governmental ex- travagance, by the manipulation of trusts and by a priviege-creating tariff, the cost of living mounts higher and higher. Day by day the control of the govern ment drifts further away from the peo- ple and more firmly into the grip of ma- chine politicians and party bosses.
 "The republican and democratic parties are not only responsible for these con- ditions. but are committed to their indefi- nte continuance. Prodigal of promises, they are so barren of performance that to new party of independent voters the country must look for the establishment of new policy, and aNeturn to genu- inc popular government.
 Fountain Head.
 "Our object is not to introduce violent innovations or startling new theories. We of the independence party, look back as Lincoln did to the declaration of in dependence, as the fountain-head of all political inspiration It is not our pur- pose to attempt to revolutonize the American system of government, but to restore the action of the government to the principles of Washington and Jeffer- son and Lincoln. It is not our purpose to effect a radical change in the Amer ican system of government, but to con- serve for the citizens of the United , States their privileges and liberties won esaboard quick train Atlanta AIS nm