Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-06-20
Orders Delegates from Credenta| Committee Meet
ing, After Alleged High-handed Methods Of
Regu|ars.-Taft Forces Carry Every Point
In the National Convention Session.
STORY OF THE DAY.

- - ~ t''A- ~
Convention Hall, June 19.--The Coli
scum was a scene of empty chairs at
$50 o'clock when the band in it's
perch near the roof struck the OPEN
ing note Of the morning concert. A
file of policemen came in through a
side door, stepping lively TO the
march time. The blue-coated guar
dians took their places across the
front of the hall, where the line held
back surging crowds. yesterday; and
delegates and spectators began &c fill
ter in through the doors. Before 9
O'Clock the Wabash avenue doors of
the convention hall were seiged by
telegraph operators, messenger boys
and newspaper employees who were
denied access. The tickets issued for
Tuesdays session were rejected by
the doorkeepers and for a time 1T APP
peared that telegraph wires would lie
idle in the basement Sergeant at
Arms Stone finally produced 800 for
gotten badges from his safe, and they
were distributed in the crowd outside
the door.
There was rush for them and it
required the assistance of policemen
10 see that only authorized employees
secured the coveted passes.
The air of nervousness that hung
over the convention police and en-
ployes before the opening of the ses-
sion. yesterday, was euriously absent.
today.
No one knew then what to expect,
today, the patrolmen chatted and
laughed secure in the belief they
could handle easily any situation that
might develop. In the box reserved
for special guests, there were early
arrivals. At 10 o'clock, an hour be-
fore the time for opening the session,
less than 200 spectators were in the
hail and but eight of the delegate
SEATS We're occupied. Although the
convention faced the real struggle of
the Roosevelt leaders to obtain con-
troll of the permanent roll of dele
gates. there was noticeable lack or
excitement or enthusiasm about the
convention hail.
Spectators seats on the floor and In
the galleries were not half filled when
Chairman Root appeared at his desk,
at 1c54.
When CaIifornia's delegation APP
peared it again bore the banners
which were barred from the hall, yes
terday. The sergeant at arms again
forced the removal of the flags. leav-
ing only the poles surmounted by the
gilt California bears.
Soon after Chairman Root had ar
rived on the platform he was fianked
on ono side by Gov. Hadley, the Roose-
welt leader, and on the other by James
Watson of the Taft forces. AS pre-
liminary to the days expected HOSTILE
ties all three shook hands land re-
tired to their corners"
Governor Hadley and Watson ar
ranged for an equal division Of the
three hours debate that was to be al
lowed on the Roosevelt proposition to
substitute a roll containing 80 Roose-
Welt delegates in place of 80 Taft fol-
lowers seated by the National commit
tee
Before calling the convention to or
der Chairman Root and the other Of
ficers Of the convention posed for bait
teries of photographers. This helped
TO delay matters several minutes be-
vond the scheduled hour, II O'Clock. At
that time many delegates seats We're
vacant.
Chairman Root finally pounded the
dered the sergeant-at arms to clear
the aisles. A swarm of delegates and
alternates wandered aimlessly about
the han i'm search of their seats.
Surrounding Governor Deneen's seat
on the floor for Is minutes before the
call to order We're the Roosevelt Lead
ers III earnest consultation. In the
group We're Senator Dixon, Governor
Hadley. William Finn and Governor
Johnson of California.
Another II minutes passed before
Chairman Root again took up his gav-
ell and with emphatic blows ON the ta-
bic, insisted upon quiet and order.
Much of the confusion was due TO late
corners i'm the galleries Then pounding
the table, Root announced: 1.-THE ex-
ercises-I mean the business of this
day will be opened with prayer by the
Rev. Joseph Stolz'
The delegates and alternates and ev-
cry person in the galleries arose and
stood during the invocation. . ,sss5w
Senator Root announced the unfin-
ished business of the day-the motion
ef Watson that the convention proceed
t oths appointment of regular commits
| tees and the sub-fnotion of Gov. Had
| ley that the Roosevelt list of delegates
! be substituted for the temporary roll.
| He also announced the agreement as to
| three-hours debate and asked IL there
was objection. There was not.
1t had been agreed in advance that
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