Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1912-06-28

Tor President became the order of business
President Taft was named in fiambouyant
speech, an old-fashioned political "oration,
by Warren Harding, Of Ohio. late defeated
candidate for governor Mr. Harding talked
a long time to a convention that yawned
even as it pretended to demonstrate" in
honor of the man it was certain to name.
When he had finished, the convention rose
to its feet with exactly the air and mein of
the baseball crowd at the end of the fifth
inning. 1t rose to stretch itself, to straight
en- the crcks out of its back aftes long
spell of sitting and to yawn.
Mr. Harding wound up his Grafton in
approved fashion. with the name of his
candidate. There was pathetic effort at
cheering. The convention, as already ex-
planned, rose lazily to its feet and stretched;
then having been silent for time. it start
ed to talk with itself. Everybody turned
to his neighbor and wondered when the
ballot would be reached. whether any other
candidate would be presented. and what
the chances were for getting done in time
to catch the early evening train for home.
THE demonstration" consisted of the hum
of 10000 voices suddenly turned loose in
conversation throughout the great hall.
That was all. There was not a genuine
hearty, earnest cheer for the nominee.
La Toilette was nominated by Wisconsin,
while the name of Senator Cummins was
not placed before the convention. His
followers, like those Of Roosevelt, we're I'M
willing to give their countenance to the
sort of a convention that had been put
together by the national committee porch
climbers They knew that they were going
to receive the votes Of Idaho and they had
been under hopes to the very last that
their man might have chance to be nomi-
mated If he were pressed for the opposi-
ton to Taft, even among delegates nomi-
nally for him. was active to the very end
But Cummins wired that his name must
not be presented to stolen convention.
He wanted no nomination secured through
theft. and his name did not 90 up.
The roll call was marked by one of the
most curious demonstrations ever seen in
convention. 1t illustrated the temper of
the opposing factions The Roosevelt peo-
pie did most Of the cheering. They rose
en- masse when California announced "24
present and not voting"
At the end of the call the President was
announced to have 561 votes, or just TWEEN
ty-one more than he must have to put him
over the line. With nobody running against
him. he had just barely squeezed into the
nomination, 107 for Roosevelt, 344 refused
to vote. seventeen supported Cummins-
his faithful ten from Iowa and seven of
Idaho's eieht-while La Toilette got forty
one-twenty-six from Wisconsin, ten from
North Dakota. and five from South Dakota.
Once more a sorry effort at demonstra-
ton that died quickly. The throng in the
coliseum started for the doors the call
was made for nomination Of candidates for
Vice-President; the convention fidgeted a
few minutes, and then sat down for the
brief business of finishing its work.
1t was only one more demonstration of
the complete severance of relations between
the progressive and reactionary wings Of
the party that came when the Vice-Presi-
Dental nomination was brought before the
tired and disguised convention Nobody
had taken the least interest in it. Borah,
Cummins, Kenyon. Hadley and Beveridge,
all progressives. had been offered second
place, on the theory that good Western
progressive would help things somewhat
But all Of them rejected the offer with
emphasis. There was nothing left for II
but to take on reactionary mate for the
reactionary leader and Vice-Presideni
Sherman, quite appropriately. was quickly
chosen as the fitting man again to run
with Mr.. Taft.
Theodore Roosevelt. in accepting tempo
rarily the nomination of the proeressiv,
party for the Presidency. declared that thu
fight is one of principle, not men; a con
test that cannot be settled along party lines
He said:
Il thank you for your nomination. anC
in you recognize the lawfully elected dele
gates to the Republican convention. VIII
represent the overwhelming majority o.
the voters who took part in the Republican
primaries prior to the convention.
Il feel that the time has come when not
only all men who believe in progressive
principles, but all men who believe in those
elementary maxims of public and private
morality which must underlie every form
Of successful free government should join
in our movement. Therefore. ask you to
90 to your several homes to find out the
sentiment Of the people at home, and then
again come together, 1 suggest by mass
convention. to nominate for the Presidency
progressive candidate on a progressive
platform, a candidate and platform that
will enable us to appeal to Northerner and
Southemer. Fastener and Westerner. Re-
publican and Democrat alike. in the name
of our common American citizenship. II
you wish me TO make the fight ! will make
il, even II only one State should support
I
me. The only one condition impose, is
that you shall feel entirely free when you
come together to substitute any other man
in my place If you deem it better for the
movement. and In such case ! will give
him my heartiest support.
Il do not know whether our countrymer
fully realize the gravity Of the crisis which
we at this moment face. There is no USE
holding primaries. no use in holding cleo
tons il we permit small group Of un
scrupulous politicians, some of whom arr
certainly acting in the interests Of big
crooked business to exercise the veto powe
over these primaries and elections by up
setting the results at their own pleasure.
THE convention which today closes it
discreditable career here in Chicago rep