Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1908-06-18
REPUBLICAN
CONVENTION
BEGINS WORK
Stirring Enthusiasm Marks the
Opening of Deliberations
at Chicago.
BURROWS STRIKES KEYNOTE
Speech of Temporary Chairman Punc-
tuated by Noisy Outbursts;
Committees at Work.
BURROWS STRIKES KEYNOTE

| Chicago June 17.-Amid scenes of
| stirring enthusiasm the Republican
| national convention of 1908 began it's
| deliberations at noon yesterday in the
presence of an assemblage estimated
at upward of $4,000 people, with the
sounds of patriotic airs alternating
with the frenzied shouts for Roose-
welt, Taft and the other popular he
roes, the first tOcsin of the coming
| struggle from the graceful orator of
Michigan, Senator julius Caesar Bur
rows, and the initial formalities
which started this momentous gather
ing into notion
Opening Session Short.
The opening session lasted less
than two hours and was less notable
for the business accomplished than
for the opportunity it afforded of see
| ing again this stirring picture of the
of the country to select a candidate
for president of the United States. The
actual work of the day was quickly
accomplished, and last night the vari-
Gus important committees on creden-
tials, platform, organization, ETC.,
were preparing for the more impor
| tant business to come.
All Roads Lead to Coliseum.
Early in the day all roads in Chi
cago turned toward the huge stone
pile known as the Coliseum, with it's
back toward Lake Michigan and it's
| Gothic turrets fronting a rather shah
by section of the city. Here centered
the convention throngs, state delega-
tons, singly and in groups, some with
marching clubs and bands and BAN
ners for their favorites, the Ohio dele
| cation with huge blue silk standard
| bearing the portrait of Secretary Taft
At front and rear the great building
was besieged by steady streams of
humanity, until at noon almost every
seat in the structure was occupied
and great crowds stood outside to
catch the echoes from within.
Gathering of Party Giants.
The scene when the vast assem-
blage was called to order was one of
impressive dignity of animation and
of color. 1t was truly gathering of
the giants of the party, and every
group had it's figure conspicuous in
national affairs.
| Just as the opening hour arrived
the Ohio delegation swung down the
middle aisle bearing aloft the blue
silken banner with the portrait of
Ohio's candidate.
Taft" Taft" went up from a
| thousand threats as the we'll known
face of the secretary candidate was
borne to the front.
Burrows Takes Cheer
Cheer after cheer echoed from
floor to gallery and back again, and
for a time Chairman New was unable
to proceed with the opening formali-
ties. Again Wisconsin stirred the
echoes with a real college yell which
resounded through the building and
exploded with final "Rah! rah! rah!
Wisconsin," closing it all with the
cry of LA Follette.''
It was not until 1918 that Chair
man New stilled the tumult and with
brief formalities introduced the tenn
porary presiding officer of the conven-
ton, Senator Burrows of Michigan.
Tells of Party's Deeds.
The venerable senator, white-hair-
ed, white tied, white-vested specta-
cled, dignifed in his long black coat,
stepped forward, ponderous roll of
manuscript in his hand. Slowly the
buzz of confusion died away and he
began to speak. His first words were
barely audible five feet away. Gradu-
ally he warmed to his subject, for he
told of the glories of the party he had
served so long, and the we'll rounded
sentences carried to the remotest cor
ners, hammered in here and there by
an expressive gesture. But it was not
a speech calculated to set the blood
tingling 1t dealt with the party's
record and achievements.
Starts the Noise.
Not until the senator made the first
mention of Roosevelt did the words
seem to start the assemblage as by a
magic thrill. Instantly the speech was
drowned in a great shout which went
up from every side as delegates
sprang to their feet, waved their hats,
echoing back the tumult of the CALLER
les, where futtering handkerchiefs,
fans and parasols broke into moving
color and the whole assemblage join
ed in vociferous demonstration.
Every succeeding mention of the pres
ident's name brought another wave of
enthusiastic tribute. The names of
Taft and of Root also sent the cheers
ringing from gallery to gallery.
Policies Are Approved.
Aside from the names of popular
idols, the speaker swords awakened
a stir of enthusiasm for the navy, the
man behind the gum" the continued
occupation of the Philippines and a
tariff revision which would give 'just
and adequate protection to American
industry" These policies appeared
to appeal strongly to the assem5lage,
but the greatest enthusiasm on a
question of policy came when he de-