Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-02-07
STRENUOUS
CONVENTION
nv FLORIDA
EXCITING SCENES FORECAST
OTHERS PENDING
ANTI-RooSEVELT FACTION STlRs
UP DELEGATES
Touchdown and Drag-out Fights
Characterize First Days Session
in st. Augustine-"Antis"
Very Busy

Py associated Press.
ST. Augustine, Fla, Feb 6-Florida
Republicans stand conspicuously in the
limelight today as being the first to
hold their convention 10 select delegates
TO the national convention, and it is
said here that the serenuous and ex-
citing scenes enacted today are a fore
cast of similar scenes in other southern
states caused by the efforts being made
by the anti-Roosevelt Republicans for
control in the national convention.
Two conventions really convened at
the same time in the same hall. The
progress of business was frequently in
terrupted by knock-down and drag-out
fights.
The office holders faction was called
to order by the chairman of the state
committee, and they proclaimed them
selves as the regular party, but they
did not succeed in carrying out the pre-
arranged program.
The Taft sentiment was too strong
for the leaders to be held in check,
and resolutions were adopted indorsing
William II. Taft for the presidency.
Others Conservative
on the other side of the hall the con-
testing convention took conservative
action and chose delegates untram-
lneled by instructions, positive assur-
ance being given by Joseph N. Strip
ling, who led tie movement, that de-
spite the fact that they were branded
as boilers by the other convention, the
delegates they named would be seated
in the national convention.
The office holders convention adopt
ed resolutions approving the Roosevelt
administration and the conservative
manner in which he has carried out
the policies, and instructed the dele
gates to support the presidents poll
cies and the candidate who is in SYM
pathy with them and who will carry
out these policies, and then proceeded
to name William II. Taft as such can
didate.
The anti-Taft convention adopted
resolutions condemning in strong terms
the attempts to influence and control,
by use of fedora. patronage through
governmental office holders, the selec-
ton of delegates to the national con-
vention in the interests of any presi-
dental candidate.
The officeholders' convention elected
as delegates to the national convention
J. n. Coombs, member of the national
committee from Florida; Joseph e.
Lee, colored, collector of internal rev.
enue; Henry S. Chubb, receiver of the
United States lend office at Gaines
vile; M. b. mcfarland, collector OF
customs at Tampa, and four alternates
Anti-Taft Delegates
The anti-Taft convention elected as
delegates Joseph n. Stripping, former
United States attorney; j. ID. Hazard
]. il. Dickerson, b. r. Robinson, the
two latter colored and four alternates
che congressional district conven-
lions of the first and second districts
of Florida were held by each faction
Immediately after the adjournment of
the state convention and each of these
conventions elected two delegates to
the national convention and adopted
the same resolutions as the state con-
ventions of their respective factions
had already adopted.
rhe city marshal and dozen police
men We're on duty in the hall and were
frequently called upon to eject unruly
delegates. Nine-tenths of both con-
ventions were negroes.
The Taft convention had complete
delegation from each county aggregat-
ing III. In the opposition convention
there were two or three counties not
represented but $50 delegates partici-
pated.
The Taft cor mated five
I II IL