The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-09-11
STRlus FOR GOVERNOR.
TAFT'S FORMER CABINF OF
FTCER HEADS NEW " .xk
TICKET.
"Suspcnder Jack" MCGEE Creates
Climax With His Unexpected Nom-
ination OF Former Minister.


and labor In the cabinet of President
Taft, was unanimously acclaimed the
nominee for governor by the Progress
sive party In a stampeded convention
this afternoon under the circum-
stances not only unexpected. but dra-
matte.
The former cabinet member, act
Ing as the conventions permanent
chairman, was about to entertain a
motion from Former Lieut.. Gov.
Timothy l.. Woodruff to expedite ia
roll call on the names Of State Chair
man William II. Hotchkiss and Comp
troller William a. Pendergrast of
New York when a delegate from New
York county leaped to his chair and
demanded to be heard.
ITS 'Susrender Jack McGee,"
cried voice from the gallery. Chair
man Straus looked puzzled. McGee.
who got his name In the Indian coun-
try by riding bronco into camp
with suspenders used as reins. moved
resolutely toward the platform.
They say I'm crazy. but / know
what I am doing" he cried as he
swung up tho platform steps.
McGee. a flaming bandanna around
his neck and his coat blazing with
badges. tossed his Rough Rider hat
on the floor and demanded the right
TO make a nomination.
Whom do you wish to nominate ?"
asked Chairman Straus. but McGee
gave only a meaningless shake Of his
head. Delegates cried. Put him
out" But McGee stuck to his pur-
pose.
Delegates and spectators booed and
jeered as he began to speak. There
was general laugh when he cried:
'1'll name a man the mention of
whose name will bring tears of SYM
pathy to the eyes Of almost every man
and woman i'm the civilized land"
Suspender Jack only waived his arm
I'm defiance Of the jeers. He paused
a moment and then cried: II nomi-
Eate the illustrious and honorable o.
car 5. Straus."
The delegates seemed stunned.
Their few Of them cheered. Me-
Gee kept on with his speech and the
first few cheers at first from a half
dozen delegates gradually grew into
a psndemonium that swept the con-
yention hall. Standards were wrench
ed from their supports. and delegates.
yelling and cheering for Chairman
s..'sus. paraded the aisles. turning
the convention into a belam.
Mr.. Straus at first shook his head
deprecatingly. He turned to friends
and remarked: This must not be.
can not accept" Mr.. Hotchkiss
rushed to the platform. Placing his
hands on Mr.. Straus' shoulders, ne
said: "You must accept; you must
accept; all the delegates are for YOU"
Scores Of delegates pressed forward
TO urge Mr.. straus to make the de-
cision. Then Mr.. Hotchkiss burst
from the group that surrounded Mr..
straus and held up before the crush
OF excited delegates sheet of yellow
paper on which was written: HE ac-
cepts."
Quickly the word passed back
through the hall and another demon
stration followed. The nomination of
Mr.. Hotchkiss for governor was with
drawn by John A. Kingsbury and
Timothy Woodruff withdrew the name
OF Mr.. Prendergast. Then came a
flood OF speeches seconding the nomi-
nation of the former minister to Tur-
key.
"Suspender Jack" McGee was not
lost sight of. Delegates pressed
about him and proclaimed him "the
man of the hour" Later the conven-
tiop passed vote OF thanks to Dele
gate McGee of the 18th assembly
district for nominating Mr.. Straus.
When the convention had recover
ed and Mr.. Straus had been chosen
ne was called on for speech and
terdered an ovation as he formally
accepted the nomination.
THE cause we are In Is a cause OF
inspiration" he said. I'm his speech.
81 must accept"
Tonight few contests developed and
the ticket as finally selected was:
Governor. oscar 5. Straus. New
York; Liuet. Gov. Former state Sem
ator Frederick M. Davenport. Oneida;
associate judges of court OF appeals.
Charles c.. Alden. Buffalo and Geo.
w Kirchway Columbia upiversity.