Omaha daily bee., 1912-06-23

the point of order that the steam roller
is exceeding the speed limit"
There was gale of laughter, renewed
when Chairman Root said he pas pre-
pared to rule on the point, saying: The
point of order is well taken"
When the laughter had subsided, Sem
ator Root added:
''The justification IS that We have
some hope of starting home on Sunday"
and the statement brought forth cheer.
In order that an adverse vote might not
throw out the entire state delegation.
the committee reported the Washington
and each district del
egation separately. The same course, il
was said, would be followed in consider
ing the other contests.
Considering the other contests, the ma
jority report held that the Roosevelt
were elected by a bolt
ing convention and an Illegal primary.
Sullivan of Ohio presented a minority
report holding that the Taft contest was
"a trumped up case.
Sullivan moved to substitute the minor
ity report for the majority report and
Watson moved to table the motion.
And Everybody Sings.
A conference was held on the platform
to arrange for debate on the motion and
bedlam broke loose on tn efloor.
''Toot, toot, ''choo. choo, choo, toot,
toot"
"Slip her In the high
What about the speed lmit?'
Sand. sand the track, Watson; you're
slipping"
Starting somewhere in the rear, the
crowd began to sing Nearer, My God,
to Thee" and it swelled into a chorus,
followed by Lead, Kindly Light and
Amid the Encircling Gloom"
Another chorus, across the way, caught
the spirit and began to sing John
Browns Body" altering the final lines
of the chorus to: LAS We Go Rolling On -
Hugh r. Halbert of Minnesota spoke in
support Of the minority report when quiet
was restored. a limited debate having
been decided upon.
Halbert made a special plea to the
New York delegation--the largest unin-
structed delegation In the convention-to
give their votes to the minority report.
'"The acceptance Of the minority re-
port" declared Halbert, would leave the
republican party but two alternates--da-
feat''-hs paused. ''or Theodore Roose-
velt.''
''Hurrah," cried delegate. There was
some hand clapping. but not cheer.
1.-THE party" concluded Haibert, "can
stand defeat with honor, but cannot
stand" hesitating. defeat with dis
honor"
w. T. Dovell, Taft delegate-as-large
spoke for the majority report.
Former Governor Fort of New Jersey
made q point against Dovelrs speaking
on the ground that he could not vote upor
the question Of seating himself.
Everybody ID Surprised.
Chairman Root said that while Dovel
could not vote he could speak In the
absence OF direction to the contrary from
the convention.
This ended the debate and the motion Il
lay on the table was put and carried by
viva voce vote A motion to put the
Taft delegates on the permanent rol
also was carried without roll call.
This was distinct surprise. The Roose
welt people had been expected to demand
a lineup of delegates. The acquiescence
in the viva voce vote seemed to take
Senator Root by surprise. He hesitated
for long while. after saying: THE ayes
seem to have it." before adding "tht
ayes have it. 84t a
The proceedings seemed to indicate q
complete backdown Of the Roosevelt
forces. Then came reports seating tht
Taft delegates from the First, Secont
and Third districts.
On each vote the gallery crowds Joined
in the chorus Of noes, noes" and al
though the volume was greater thar
the volume Of the ayes" Root woulc
smile pleasantly and announce the
ayes appear to have it; the ayes have It.
As the Washington contests were con
cluded, "Merrily We Roll Along" an6
"Rambled" were added to the vocal pro-
gram.
After the Washington contests hat
been decided there was lull in the pro-
ceedings. Victor Rosewater, retiring chair
man Of the republican national com
mittee appeared on the floor In the mids
of the Pennsylvania delegation. where
the delegates were making great fus:
over him, shaking hands and pattng hin
on the back 1t was another evidence o.
the wave Of good humor which had swep
over the convention since yesterday.
Rosewater with Texas.
The Texas delegates had a call from
Rosewater. One big delegate lifted the
former chairman in his arms, while the
convention cheered.
As the wait for further reports con-
tinued the California delegates began to
shout, we want Teddy" and in mo.
ment the Roosevelt delegates throughout
the hall were standing on their chairs
joining in the shout. The galleries took
part in the uproar.
California endeavored to sing "Merrfly,
We Roll Along" but the demonstration
soon died out.
West Virginia tried to sing, I'VE want
Teddy" but was hushed when Mrs. Flo
Jacobson began to sing Moonlight
Bay" The song, halted the demonstra-
tion and the delegates, rising in their