Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-27

was law. HOuSH TIC Olu SudIu u
they carried the fight to the la
speech by Col. Abe Gruber, in
scorn and ridicule.
SARATOGA, September 27.-The leg
end that statesmen are punctually
late applied with equal force today to
the leaders Of the old guard and the
progressives who gathered tardily at
the opening Of the republican state
convention. Not SO the delegates or
the spectators who swarmed into every
nook and Granny of the convention
hall, filled all the seats and overfiowed
into the aisles.
The word had gone forth that the
old guard were beaten in their fight
to elect Vice President Sherman the
temporary chairman. and every one
waited for the real fireworks.
Col. Roosevelt was the first to come.
His appearance started rounds OF ap-
plause. Shortly after Vice President
Sherman took his seat and the demon
stration shook the building for several
minutes.
William Barnes. jr., the old guard
leader. came in for salvos of applause.
Great Crush in Hall.
An hour before the convention met the
street in front of the hall was packed
with a mob Of visitors seeking admission,
and when the big wide doors were open
ed a frightful crush ensued. men and
women struggling for entrance Hats
were smashed. bonnets torn off as the
writhing. swearing crowd pushed their
way to points Of vantage.
Fist Fights Numerous.
Fist fights over the possession OF
seats were frequent. as men seemed
to be crazy to stay In the hall at any
cost.
Soon after II O'clock Col. Roosevelt
entered a side gate and was wildly
cheered. In another minute Sherman
entered and was just as enthusiastical-
ly cheered.
There was no semblance of a con-
vention in the wild mob that filled the
building by this time. Two thousand
people without tickets were in the hall
and filled even the delegates seats.
When the gavel fell Chairman Woodruff
tried to get the hall into some kind OF
shape, and called upon the inspector Of
police to come to his assistance. but that
worthy found himself lamentably in the
minority and about as effective as min
now's efforts to drive away whale.
Fights were breaking out all over the
hall while Chairman Woodruff plead. be-
sought and threatened the crowds to
make way.
Newspaper men grew sore at seeing men
admitted to the hall before the hour Of
opening and they still excluded from
getting in and arranging seats for work.
The doormen said none but Sherman men
could get in before the rest. 1t did not
amount to much. for hardly more than q
score had the benefit of 1t, but the dis
position of the doorkeepers was manifest.
Probably 1t was their. own idea, for If the
committee had planned 1t the house would
have been packed with Sherman ad-
herents.
Interest in Roosevelt.
The same interest in Roosevelt that has
been shown elsewhere has brought thou
sands here today to see the lion OF the
time, especially since he is to appear IN
action. Suffragette leaflets are placed In
every seat and even on the press tables,
pleading for the submission of an amend
ment to the constitution that will guar
antee suffrage to woman.
State Committeeman Daniels and Grimm
were reelected this morning and the unit
rule was adopted, so that no delegate
could vote lis own way without an ap-
peal to convention to sustain his claim to
do So The unit rule was killed as a
principle or policy in republican conven-
tions where it was sought to be applied
in national convention at a time when
Col Roosevelt was a delegate. He was
conspicuous in the successful effort to
beat it.
1t seems odd to apply it in his behalf
in a state convention now. but the main
.reas son is to shut Off any possible votes
for Sherman. and to give Sherman men
the excuse that the unit rule made them
helpless. But they we're unanimous for
the rule when the delegation held its
caucus.
Chaplain Offers Prayer.
In the midst of the widest disorder
and frenzied scenes the gentle voice OF
the chaplain was heard in invocation.
The change was magical. Belligerents |
their holds for the time. and 81
lence fell upon the hall while the gentle |
old man delivered his prayer.
And yet it was only on the surface. for |
when the chaplain said that the party |
had gathered together Ito take sweet |
counsel among themselves an audible |
smile went over the audiencs and some
Hardly had the last word drODped from