The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-06-19

M - 80 EEE-0o
looking clergyman read his prayer
from a small prayer book, 1t being a
part Of the regular service Of the
Episcopal church.
As he closed with the Lords prayer,
many Of the delegates followed him.
Harry Daugherty OF Ohio from the
committee ON credentials asked for
recognition as soon as the prayer was
ended. He announced that the COM
mittee had been in continuous session
throughout the night, had completed
It's work and would be able to present
its report to the convention within an
hour. There was no possibility OF
transacting business until the report
was .presented and the convention set
tied down to await~its arrival.
Mayor Bookwalter Of Indianapolis
one OF the leaders Of the sallies" in
presenting contests to the national
committee on credentials authorized
the statement upon arriving at the
convention hall that the idea Of pre-
senting the minority report from the
credentials committee had been aban-
doned.
Aged Republican, War Horses.
Chairman Burrows interrupted the
regular order Of business long enough
to introduce to the convention Henry
Baker OF Minnesota and James D.
Conner of Indiana, two gray bearded
veterans of the party who were dele
gates to the first republican conven-
ton in 1856. Messrs. Baker and Con
ner were greeted with continued
rounds Of applause as they stepped
to the front Of the stage and bowed
their acknowledgements.
It was next announced that while
waiting for the report OF the commit
tee on credentials there would be a
parade through the hall Of visiting
and local marching clubs.
On motion Of Mr.. Warren Of Mich
igan the convention invited to a place
on the platform, A.. g. Proctor OF st.
Joseph, Mich, who was . delegate to
the Lincoln convention IN Chicago 48
years ago.
Marching Clubs Enter.
AS Secretary Mai,oy concluded the
Warren introduction the tap of drums
was heard outside the hall and in an
other second the east door was OPP
ened and in came the band heading a
parade. They halted in front Of the
speakers stand for an instant, play
ing America"
Close behind them came in single
file the Knox Marching club of Phila-
delphia and then the American club
Of Pittsburg, bearing high their I'M
brellas, some of red, white and blue
and others Of all white sections of vel.
low and black. The aisle was not
ideal marching ground and conges.
tions were frequent and halts numer.
Gus. The Pennsylvanians were for.
getful of their condition and passed
along and filed the air with cries OF
Knox" Every time they Were com
PEELED to halt they seized the oppor.
tunity to renew the scene.
Behind the Knox enthusiasts came
the Young Mems Blaine club Of Gin.
cinnati. They wore tall white hats
carried small American flags. Thei1
appearance produced frenzy in the
Ohio delegation. Instantly every man
was on his feet, the red fags were
tossed up and cheer after cheer rang
through the hall. The blue banner
with the face Of Secretary Taft upon
1t, produced another outburst and the
Ohio delegation screamed and danced
about while the band in the gallery
lstruck up Hail to the Chief" which
it has, by some coincidence. playedlev
cry time the blue banner has been
flung to the air.
Cheers for "uncle joe"
&G%NMBa f&a4H ENR &&4MG 8&%@WN
Following the Blaine club there
came a distinct novelty in the way d
q band playing "Tammany," and ther
q big delegation Of visitors. from
Danyille, Ills. bearing small flags
with Cannon on them and a larger
banner announcing them as Neigh
bors Of Uncle fJoe.'" After the
marching band had passed. the con
vention musicians played the popular
song Of the state illinois"
The Cannon contingent called ou1
renewed cheers by cries Of "Hurrat
for Uncle joe" Another Knox out
burst followed.
Still another band came roaring
through the doorway and it was thu
turn Of Indiana. Behind the band
wearing white caps with bands o
black we're the members of the Ma
rion Marching club Of Indiana which
had just arrived in the city. The.
were enthusiastically greeted by tn,
Indiana delegates. AS was the cas-,
with Pennsylvania, Indiana cheeret
on unsupported by the voices Of an.
other delegations. The demonstra
lions Of the Marching clubs continued
until 1915 p. M, when the convention
resllmed its more seriOus work.