The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-08-06
GOV. JOHNSON
"A VORITE FOR
SECOND PLACE

y
W. johnson of California seemed
agreed upon tonight as the vice presi-
dcutial nominee of the National Pro
gressive party to make the first night
of the new political organization with
Colonel Theodore Roosevelt.
Early in the evening Judge Ben b.
Lindsey of Denver. former Democrat,
had been agreed upon ms permanent
chairman of the convention. Colonel
mendaton of Judge Lindsey, and the
plan had been enthusiastically ap-
proved by he delegates Late tonight,
however, Judge Lindsey called on the
colonel and had long talk with him
He said he had been suffering from
asthma, and did not feel physically
capable of taking up the work. Under
the circumstances Colonel Roosevelt
agreed to release him. and while it had
| not bcecn finally decided it was said
to be likely that former Senator Bev-
cridgc Of Indiana, the temporary char
man, would continue as permanent pre-
| siding officer
Colonel Roosevelt said. before he
left Oyster Bay, that be favored the
selection of southern Democrat as
vice presidential candidate, The field
was canvassed carefully. and it is un-
derstood that the colonel suggestion
evident that it was impossible to de
eide upon an available man.
Johnson Is Favorite.
1t was said tonight that sentiment
among the delegates in favor Of Gov
ernor Johnson was so strong that his
choice as Colonel Roosevelt s running
mate was virtually assured, and that
the leaders who predicted his nomlna-
tlon were merely voicing the opinion
of the convention. The California dele
cation adopted a resolution today say
ing the state could not spare Gov
ernor Johnson, but il was said tonight
tho governor s friends would not in
sist upon this attitude.
In the event Of Governor johnson g
nomination. it is planned to have him
take the stump in the cast while
Colonel Roosevelt is campaigning
through tho west, The governor
qualifications as campsigner were
said to be a strong factor in his ia
vor,
When Colonel Roosevelt reached
Chicago this morning he put in
stormy two hours before he succeeded
in strengthening out the tangle over
the contesting negro delegates from
the south, Aftor he had been welcomed
by q crowd Of several thousand per
sons and had made speech in the
street in front of his hotel, he went 10
his beadauarters and took the helm.
Some Wanted to Be Fair.
The Florida and Mississippi cases
which had not been ruled upon by the
provisional national committee were
placed before him in detail, and il de-
veloped that there was a sharp diff.
ference of opinion In the Roosevelt
camp. A number of his northern sup
porters told him frankly that thew dis
approved of the policy OF barring all
negro delegates from the south
1t was urged that such n position
would cost the national progressive
ticket the support of large number
OF negroes in northern states in which
their strength was greatly needed. |
Others felt that in fairness to the
negroes they should have some repre-
sentation from the south
Colonei Roosevelt stood his ground |
In answer 20 every objection he said |
he would cling unequivocaIlv IA the DO. |
sition he had taken. and that. although |
II might cost him votes in the north. !
ern states. he believed Z was to the |
best interests OF the party to pro- /
ceed under white leadership in the !
south. lie reiterated the statement 1
made in his letter to Julian Harris of |
Atlanta, that II was 10 the white |
man in the south that the negro must
look, and declared his position was for
the best interests Of the negro. II was
said tonight that all his associates
finally were won over 10 his point of
view.
Roosevelt's Advice
II is undnrstood tha+ Colonial Rooso