The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-24

When it became absolutely certain
that Mr.. Taft would be nominated
without great difficulty, the leaders in
control of the convention decided tC
give him as a running mate his com
panion on the ticket in 1908.
All others dropped from the race and
MIR. Sherman was the only candidate
regularly placed before the convention
A motion from New Hampshire to
make the nomination by reclamation
was declared out of order. There were
many scattering votes on the roll call
that ensueG.
The convention, amid much confusion
adjourned sine die.
The closing scenes of the convention
We're marked by counter demonstra-
tions for President Taft and Colonel
Roosevelt.
First Test Vote.
The first test vote after the an
nouncement of the Roosevelt valedic-
tory came on the adoption of the party
platform.
welt delegates present and not voting
numbered 343. There were So noes, 3s
of them from the LaFollette states of
Wisconsin and North Dakota. Senate
Robert NJ. LaFollette, of Wisconsin
was placed before the convention but
Col. R~oosevelt's wishes were carried out
by his followers and they remained
silent during the call of the states for
nominations
Many of the delegates, however, car
ried out their primary instructions
and voted for the colonel.
On the voting for president, the
Roosevelt delegates again as a rule re-
manned silent. The detailed vote was:
Taft, 561; Roosevelt; 107; LaFollette,
Al; Cummins, II: Hughes, 2; not vot-
ing, 344; absent, 6.
Immediately following the vote on
the adoption of the platform Chair
man Root announced a call of the roll
of the states for nomination for the
presidency. was passed. Ari-
IONA was silent. Down the list silence
followed h calling of each state I'M
til Ohio was reached. A cheer greeted
the state and Warren G. Harding arose
TO place President Taft in nomination.
Then it was discovered that Iowa had
forgotten to nominate Cummins and
Roo ordered that the st .e be called
again. Silence greeted the second call,
for the Iowans had decided not to
nominate Cummins but to vote for
him.
Then Ohio was called again and
Harding took the platform, greeted by
scattered cheers, to nominate Taft.
Fendereast Sat Still.
When New York was called. there
had been a murmur of disappoint-
ment for William A. Pendergast sat
still in his seat, although he had been
expected to nominate Roosevelt.
speech was in
t~errupted by applause.
When finally he reached the name
of william Howard Taft, floor and
gallery burst into life. Hats and hand
kerchiefs were swung in the air and
a steady roll of cheering swept
through the hail. In the galleries
women, as well as men, Joined in the
demonstration, which redoubled in
vigor when Harding stepped to the
front of the platform and tried to
quiet it.
1t soon became evident that Mr..
Harding had accidentally preeipitated
the nominating demonstration, for he
still kept h platform and tried to
make himself heard. He had not
placed Mr.. Taft in nomination, but the
crowd thought so and turned loose.
Through the tumult California, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania and Roosevelt
states sat silent.
Suddenly from somewhere came a
flaming red banner bearing a picture
of the president. The demonstration
was renewed. One Illinois delegate
stripped of his coat to have something
to wave.
Some of the delegations started
marching m then began the scene
that always accompanies the culmin-
ating point of. a national convention. |
The bearer of the Taft banner