The Van Buren press., 1912-08-10

ing the new party. At 1880 the gal
lery space was about half filled.
The Michigan delegates added to
the enthusiasm in the hall when they
SANG a parody on the old Michigan
University football song, as follows
What have We done?
What have We done
We've put old Bill Taft on the bum;
That's what we've done
The only negro delegate in sight
from the stage occupied seat with
the Pennsylvania delegation.
Women were TO be seen In the del
egations of a score or more States
They sat with their hats on, but were
prepared to remove them when the
convention was called to order,
The New Jersey delegation brought
battle hymn with them. This is
the way it ran:
THE grand old party is a moulder-
ing in the grave,
II came and saved the nation, but
itself il cannot save.
It's Boss Barnes playing, and it's
Guggenheim clave,
But we go marching on.
The Bull Moose is coming can't You
hear his warlike tread?
The elephant and donkey are atremb'
ling with dread.
Their game is up; we've got them
licked, they know that they are
dead,
AS we 90 marching on"
The temporary roll Of the conven.
tion had not been completed when 1t
was called to order, and it was i'm
possible tn give the exact number of
| delegates. They occupied all the
space used at the Republican conven-
tion, with its total Of nearly l,lOO
delegates.
At 12:43 Senator Dixon raped for
order.
He briefly reviewed the signing of
the call for the convention
an the past four weeks the nation
has seen new alignment of Amer
lean politics.
Within four weeks, responding to
our cali, are assembled here today
more delegate representations to a
national convention than ever before
assembled on American soil,
This afternoon new milestone
will be erected in American politics,
A new party, knowing no North and
no South, founded on the live issues
of today, will take its place with
those parties which live on the dead
issues Of the past"
Senator Dixon was interrupted by
a cry from delegate:
"Hooray for Teddy"
The delegates jumped to tholr feet
and cheored for half minute.
Senator Dixon then called on Sec.
retary o. X. Davis to read the Pro
gressive call for the convention. The
reading was frequently interrupted
by applause.
The slogan, "Thou shalt not steal,
appearing in the call, was greeted
with cheers.
The names Of those sigrng the call
we're read and cheers greeted each
name. When Senator Dlxon's name
was called, a mild demonstration was
| started,
Cecil Lyon Of Texas was accorded
round Of cheers,
When the reading of the call ended,
Senator Dixon called on Rev. T, +
Dornblazer for prayer. This was
rather lengthy and he was interrupt.
ed by cries of "Amenl Amenl'
In conclusion, the minister led the
entire assemblage in the Lords Pray.
cr, delegates and galleries Joining In
the familiar words The band struck
up america" and the assemblaso
sang the anthem. At the conclusion
of the song sonaeor Dixon Quietod
the crowd while a flashlight picture
was taken. The band, under orders
from Senator Dixon, struck up
Dixie" and the crowd cheered.
A round OF cheers greeted Senator
Dlxons announcement that former
Senator BeyerIdgc Of Indiana had
been selected as temporary chairman.
Senator Dixon introduced Mr., Iicyor'
/ a. a.. H.. Il.