Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-09-28
ROOSEVELT POSES AS VICTOR
The Former President in Position TO
Dictate Platform and Nominate Can
didate for Governor.

| his characterization OF Bully ana WIN
his candidate for governor 20. X. d.
in the person Of Henry L. Stimson,
iormallysUnited States district attorney
Of New York, Theodore Roosevelt walk
ed into Convention Hall today in a
state of exaltation.
Its a wonderful victory for the
rank and file Of the republican organi-
zation," he said as he strobe down the
aisle and took his place as temporary
chairman.
Senator Root was on hand TO act as
the permanent chairman, carefully ex-
planning that he had no lengthy adj
dress TO inflict on the delegates, as
Roosevelt had covered the ground
thoroughly.
The convention was called to order
at II 90 a. m.
It was plain early today that the
Roosevelt organization would dominate
the situation to the very end. The plat
form committee, after sitting almost
through the night, completed the docu-
ment early today. 1t is ultra-radical
in spots, but along the lines which have
already been announced.
The minority report isto be presented
from the floor.
The feeling between the factions has
been accentuated by the retirement OF
Woodruff, De Bragg, O'Dell, and other
"oIdguard" leaders from the state com
mittee, and it was openly asserted that
no matter who was nominated the pro-
gressives would have to elect their
ticket without any assistance from the
odd guard"
As expected, the plank in the re-
publican state platform which was
intended by Roosevelt to overshadow
all else was that which declared for
continuation OF the graft hunt. The
direct primary plank over which the
biggest fight was made, was distinct
compromise, although it pledged the
party TO direct nominations eventually.
President Taft's administration is also
enthusiastically endorsed.
The vote in the resolutions commit
tee was % to Is on the adoption Of
the majority report. The old guard,
although they realized that they were
licked to fragile" from the start,
kept at it right up to the very end.
Both factions we're very bitter when
the committee adjourned and promised
heated debate on the floor, but
Roosevelt had the votes, so he was
sure of enacting his platform and then
OF naming his ticket.
Today the selection Of the candidate
for governor lay between Henry l..
Simson, of New York, former United
States district attorney and state Sena-
tor Harvey Human, OF BroOme county.
Roosevelt wanted Stimson. He ad-
mitted, however, that the suggestion OF
candidate from New York city had
alarmed the upstate delegates, and
that unless he could allay their fears,
he would fall back on Human.
After the convention had been
called to order Senator Elihu Root
was introduced, and he proceeded to
make a speech. Among other things
he said:
There is passing over this country
revolt against the time honored and
time worn political procedure. In
itiative and referendum and call for
direct election Of all officials, includ-
ing United States senators, are de-
manded by the people who insist must
be given every opportunity to express
their free and untrammeled will at
the polls. No cry of this kind has
ever been ignored by the republican
party. We must assure the people
the republican party intends to
make it easy for the plain man to
come from his farm and workshop
and give expression to his wishes re-
garding candidates. The wheels OF
progress must not be permitted to
catch up and run over the republican
party"
The report OF the committee on
resolution was then called for and
Comptroller Prendergast, chairman OF
the resolutions committee took the
stage and read the platform as pre-
pared by the % members of the ma
iority Of the committee.
As soon as he concluded his read
ing, Prendergast moved the adoption OF
the platform and James S. WadswOrth
then was recognized. He read the
minority platform as given out by
Barnes last night which provided for
the continuation Of the convention
system but extended the primary en-
rollment law to all elections and pro-
vided for the direct election of state
committeeman and Of all delegates TO
convention.
Wadsworth said that the minority
waived all objection to everything in
the platform as drafted by the ma
iority, excepting the primary declara-
ton.
Roosevelt this afternoon took 1.-THE
platform to speak in favor of direct
primaries.
Roosevelt closed the debate on the
majority report. During his speech he
said:
An allusion has been made to the
case of Congressman Sibley, where
great sums we're spent in securing his
nomination. Money was spent the
same at direct primary as it would
have been spent to influence a conven-
ton"
Loud Kisses and cat calls interrupted
but he didn't hesitate, but reiterated