Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-06-06
ORGANIZING CONVENTION.
Precedents Regarding Temporary
Prenidiny Ofyicers-FnmOun Fights.

The whole history OF Republican con-
ventions confirms the propriety OF the
national committee In selecting a tenn
and not as the favorite Of any candi-
date. In 1850. when the third term was
the issue and Garfield finally was nom
mated. Senator George F. Hoar of
Massachusetts was both temporary and
permanent chairman of the convention.
Roosevelt points out that In 1884 the
convention overturned the choice of the
national committee and substituted an
other man for temporary chairman. This
Is true; but not only was It the excep-
ton which proves the rule but the sub
stitution was not made at the instance
of any candidate Gen. Powell Clayton
of Arkansas had been selected by the
national committee and II. Cabot Lodge
moved to substitute the name of John r
Lynch of Louisiana. mulatto, who has
been member of Congress and is now
a paymaster In the army. Substitution
was voted 424 TO 3s+. for the party then
had strenuous need of the Negro vote:
but the voting was not confined to the
friends of any one candidate. The
friends Of Blaine, of Edmunds, OF Sher-
man and of Arthur. all voted for both
candidates. The permanent chairman
elected was Senator John b. Henderson
Of Missouri.
OFFICER FOR 20 YEARS.
The convention OF 1855. when Harrison
was nominated, presented one OF the
largest list of aspirants for the presi-
dency ever known. 1t included not only
benjamin Harrison, but Walter @
Gresham, John Sherman. Chauncey NJ
Depew. William B. Allison. Russell A
.Alger John J. ingalls,. William Walter
Phelps. Jeremiah Rusk, Mayor Filter OF
Philadelphia. Joseph r. Hawley Of Con-
nectlcut and perhaps others John NJ.
Thurston of Nebraska was temporary
chairman and Morris NJ Estee of Call
fornia presided over the convention. The
list of presiding officers Of succeeding
conventions has been as follows:
lsS2-J, Sloat Fassett OF New York
| temporary chairman, william Mckinley
| of Ohio permanent chairman
lS0S-Charles w Fairbanks OF Indiana
temporary chairman. John II. Thurston
OF Nebraska pcrrauen; chairman
| .sNO-Edward o. Nolcou OF Colorado
| temporary chairman Henry Cahot
Lodge OF Massachusetts permanent
| chairman.
=. ls4-Elihu Root of New York temper
AIRY chairman, Joseph q Cannon ~
Illinois permanent chairman
In 1893 the conditions surrounding the
selection OF temporary chairman were
analogous to what they are now, as far
% the temper Of III" cppce.ng sides
YVES concerned The natlonsl commit ee
selected for temporary chairman Senator
Burrows of Michigan, as g man who had
been Identified with the Republican par
Z. since its organization In his own
state. and who, although of another
school and tirle than that OF Tart and
! Rooscvelt. yet could voice the principles
of united party satisfactorily. For
the suong-arm work OF the convention
itself Senator Lodge was selected; and
II will be remembered that IN mis- open
ing speech the Massachusetts senator
les In tho osreer OF Theodore Roosevelt.
that he had refused a third term
As the Republican convention draws
near and the Republicans who are not
yet ashamed Of the name realize the
strength Of their cause-if they fight
for it-the Taft men are growing more
eager for a real battle. II the red
bloOded committeeman and delegates
have their way. the Roosevelt shouters
will be compelled to fight every minute
from the first click OF the gavel to thu
last. True. II may take the convention
a week 20 organize, but if Roosevelt
wants that kind of a convention ne /.
likely to get it--Washington CORES pond
;. ent Of Boston Transcript