The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-27
First Test Of Strength In
Convention Results In Loss
For PT0gressives
BURTON IS PERMANENT
CONVENTION CHAIRMAN
The Republicans Are All mt Sea ON the
Governors Race As They Can Find
No One who VIII Oppose
Governor Harmon

of strength between the regulars ano
progressives In the republican state con-
vention here tonight resulted in favor oi
the regulars" by wide margin.
Congressman Paul Howland of Cleve-
land. who has charge of the progressive
platform, was defeated for the chair
manship of the resolution committee by
vote of fifteen to three. Congressman
Rowland announced that while he would
not quibble over phraseology, If the plat
form were In substance unsatisfactory to
the progressives, he would bring mi
nority report to the floor of the conven-
tion tomorrow.
AS soon as the committee had gone into
session word was sent to James r. Car
field, leader of the progressives here, that
he would be heard.
Senator T. e. Burton was tonight Sc
lected permanent chairman of the con-
vention.
II was generally understood by those
who conferred with the leaders that
nothing would be done tonight toward
uniting upon candidate for governor
Senator Burton adhered to his statement
of last night that the fight would be
settled upon the floor of the convention
tomorrow and not before.
e.
mously elected to his third term as chair
man of the state central committee to-
night.
Opening of Convention
The convention opened this afternoon.
"A vigorous defense of the tariff law was
made by Congressman Nicholas Long
worth, the temporary chairman. He
coupled it with high praise of President
Taft.
rba .Lavnota sneecb of Mr. Tonpworth
was almost wholly devoted to tariff re-
vision. He said the republican party
would have to stand for what 1t had
pledged itself to do.
At the opening of his address when he
mentioned other republicans preceding
e him as chairman Of previous years the
names of Jas. r. Garfield, now leader
pf. the ipsurgent or progressive wing OF
the party who is protesting against un-
qualified Endorsement OF the tariff, and
Jones Benson Foraker defeated for re-
turn to the United States year ago,
was the occasion for tumultuous applause
The names of the late Senator Hanna
and OF President Taft elected applause
The resolutions committee has been
named and will stand sponsor for the
platform making results, Mr.. Loi,gworth
said.
Conference IL Fruitless
A long conference between Senators
Burton and Dick. State Chairman Wade
II. Ellis and other republican leaders
which broke up at o'clock this morn
ing, left the contest for the gubernatorial
nomination as wide open as 1t has ever
been
Statements made by the conferees, how
ever. Immediately after adiourning, add
ed the name OF James r. Garfield as
one of the possibilities. That OF Judge
o. B. Brown of Dayton, who has the
support of Chairman George B. Cox OF
the Cincinnati delegation, was not men
toned by them. 1t was stated that the
field now consists Of Mr. Garfield, War
ren G. Harding, former lieutenant gov
ernor, and Carr Thompson. secretary
of state, so the leaders, who are
/ not Int an the Brown candidacy
are cor -rned, and that would not In
troduce dark horse into the race.
The general progressive platform out
lined last night by James r. Garfield
was amplified today In statement Is
sued by Mr.. Garfield. Tt comprises a
''progressives'' will bring before the res
olutions committee, and Is "the least, 1t
was stated, that the progressives will
be sftis1ed with"
GarfIeldss Conditions
while Mr. Garfield declined absolutely
to discuss himself In connection with
the governorship, 1t was understood that
unless these planks are Incorporated In
the platform substantially as drawn. he
would decline to be considered as a can
didate for governor
The first plank demands: ACTIONS and
measures that will Immediately check
and ultimately prevent sinister influence
now exerted over public officers and DO
litical activities by special interests
The means suggested are public util-
1tes commission, a general corporation
mi }cqi ion III
sonal responsibility for corporate actions,
enforcement of penalties for the use OF
corporation funds for political purposes
Other salient demands in succeeding
planlks are:
The short ballot, commission govern
ment for cities. the right of recall of ex-
ecutive and legislative officers. work,
men'si compensation act. limitation OF
won16n's hours OF labor, forest preserva-
tion and reforestation of lands
In addition a sweeping indorsement OF
national conservation Of resources is de-
manded H>F
Longworth's Speech
Nicholas Longwarth, temporary chair
man Of the convention. In calling the
delegates to order said:
Our democratic opponents have nom-
mated as head of their ticket strong
man, make no mistake about that. What
ever may be the principles he stands for.
principles which in our opinion would
spell, II adopted, the rulnation of this
country, Judson Harmon is nevertheless
big. forceful Individual; q keen, shrewd
politician. always on the job; man 81
unlimited ambition with amazing conf
dence In himself and his lucky star.
mot content with nominating himself
for governor. he has nominated himself
for president also. There is nothing small
about him. 1t appears that II elected he
does not intend to serve out his term as
governor, the program as frankly am
nounced at the democratic convention,
ls that he shall resign after few months
and turn over the office to the candidate
for lieutenant governor, a gentleman by
the name OF Pomerene. But Will the
people endorse this program. Will they
c0nsent to be used as stool pigeons tc
further the ambitions OF these men? For
one cannot believe It.
Laying all other questions aside there
is one thing IN JudSon HArrhon's career
that disqualifies him for the presidency
No man who has spent the active years
OF his professional life AZ: 'an ADVOCATE
Of the interests OF corporate wealth can
bring - NJ gtesidency that 9iASle mind.