The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-06-09

Sure enough the senator had
proxy from Henry D. Mccoy, the
member from the Philippine islands
Cecil al. Lyon, the member from
Texas, arrived with Former Governor
Myron T. Herrfck, the member from
Ohio, and they we're soon busy
rounding up the southern members
Lyon frequently has been the host oil
President Roosevelt and makes no Sc
cret Of the fact that he would like to
see the president nominated.
Texas Committeeman for Taft.
Roosevelt don't want It," said
Lyon, $50 here is where we go in and
turn ha%ndsprings in equity for the
man he does want"
The visiting between members OF
the committee, the attorneys repre-
senting the contestants, and others,
gathered in the lobby outside the ma
tional committee headquarters in the
coliseum annex, was brought to a
close shortly after II o'clock by Will
liam F. Stone, the sergeant at arms,
who loudly announced that members
of the committee were expected to
meet "now." He threw tremendous
lung power into that last word and
within two minutes the meeting was
on behind closed doors. The first
hour was devoted to the addition OF
rules of procedure.
Sessions Are Executive.
1t was decided that all sessions of
the committee shall be executive be-
ginning at 10 o'clock and continuing
without luncheon until adjournment
for the day which is expected to be
about 6 p. M. In the cas- of contests
involving the delegates at large, so
minutes for each side will be al
lowed for the presentation of argu-
ments and is minutes will be allowed
each side in district contests. Pro-
vision was made, however, for the
consolidation of cases from one state
where the issues are identical and
arose for using the same evidence in
such contests. The rule governing
the voting by the committee on the
contests is as follows:
"After the presentation of the case
the contestants and their representa-
tives .shall retire and the committee
shall decide the case before calling
tn next one, without debate and by a
viva voce vote, unless a demand for a
roll call is sustained by at least 20
members"
Alabama Cases Consolidated.
The Alabama cases by agreement
Of all parties concerned were consol-
idated and therefore two hours were
given to each side. 1t was regarded
as the most important of all the con-
tests because Of the fact that % dele
gates were involved and it is first in
the list Of states that will be called in
the convention when nominations are
being made. The candidate securing
the delegation from Alabama is sure
to be the first. placed in nomination,
because the state having no candidate
Of its own, always yields to that state
presenting the candidate favored by
Alabama.
The Scott-Davidson faction, being
the first to file It's contest, was given
n and a half hours to open, the
Thompson faction following with two
hours, and the Scott-Davidson people
closing in half an hour. The princi-
pal arguments in the opening for the
Scott-Davidson people were made by
Judge Ada 3. Stratton, of Montgom-
cry, a leader Of the anti-Taft forces.
He used almost all of the time al
lowed to his side for the opening, al.
though Mr.. Aldrich and j. H. Manning,
postmaster at Alexander, spoke brief
ly. The latter charged that the Taft
convention had been controlled by
federal oficeholders and directed
from Washington. One Of the north
ern members provoked laughter by
remarking audibly that If that were
true, 1t in itself, proved the regular
ity of the Taft delegation" He was
called out OF order for creating lev.
ity.
Labor Leader for Taft. z
The Taft forces under the general
direction Of Ormsby McMarg, of Wash
ington, D. O., were represented by o.
D. Street, United States attorney for
the northern district of Alabama, Will
liam Farley, Of Birmingham, a mem
Der Of the executive board of the
United Mine Workers association,
and N. M. Alexander, colored man, of
Montgomery. The legal argument
was made by Mr.. Street. During his
speech favoring the seating of the
delegates headed by State Chairman
Thompson, he produced a copy Of a
circular letter sent out by Mr.. AID
rich of the anti-Taft faction, calling
upon the ..outs" to unite for the pur-
pose of throwing out the "ins." The
purpose OF introducing this letter was