Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-06-29
TAFT WINS ON
FIRST BALLOT
James S. Sherman Named For
Second Place.
PRESIDENTS VOTE WAS sci


vote--sherman unopposed For Vice
President.
With nearly 344 OF the Roosevelt
delegates declining to vote and has
tening away at adjournment time to
tender to Colonel Roosevelt the noml-
nation OF a new party. the hfteentn
Republican national convention at the
end OF a long and tumultuous session
renominated William Howard Taft, OF
Ohio. for president. and James School
craft sherman, OF New York. for vice
president.
President Taft received SCI OF the
1918 votes in the convention. or Il
more than majority. The detailed
vote was: Taft. SCI; Roosevelt. 101;
LaFoliettc, II: Cummins. II; Hughes.
z; not voting. 344; absent. 8.
The total vote for vice president
was: Sherman. 597; Borah. 81; Had
ley, IA; Merriam. 20; Beveridge. 2;
Gillette, l.
The announcement OF the Taft VIC
tory was greeted with cheering from
his adherents and groans and Kisses
from the opposition.
In the confusion just before adjourn
ment resolution was adopted giving
the national committee power to de-
clare vacant the seat OF any man on
the committee refusing to support the
nominee of the regular convention OF
1912.
When Il became absolutely certain
that Mr.. Taft would be nominated
without great difficulty the leaders In
control of the convention decided to
give him as a running mate his COM
panion on the ticket In 1908.
All others dropped from the race
and Mr.. Sherman was the only candi-
date regularly placed before the con-
vention. A motion from New Hamp
shire to make the nomination by &C.
clamation was declared out of order.
There were many scattering vote on
the roll call that ensued.
The revolt of many Roosevelt dele
gates in the convention was apparent
from the moment the permanent roll
containing the names Of contested del
egates was approved. A 'valedictory"
statement was read in behalf Of Colo
mel Roosevelt. asking that his name
be not presented, and that his dele
gates sit In mute protest against all
further proceedings. At no time was
there an indication OF a walkout OF
Roosevelt delegates. They expressed
their revolt by silence.
The friends of Mr.. Taft were In con.
troll OF the convention from the open
ing until the close The fight for con.
credentials committee and to the floor
OF the convention. The battle began
as soon as Senator Elihu Root. OF New
York. was elected temporary chairman
and at times the police In attendance
we're called upon to restore order. The
Taft and Roosevelt delegations We'd
with each other cheering and parading
the aisles of the hall.
During the second days session Col.
onel Roosevelt issued a statement TO
his delegates urging them TO bolt In
body II his contested delegates we're
not seated. But Governor Hadley, OF
Missouri, and Senator Borah. OF Idaho,
Roosevelt floor leaders In the conven.
ton, refused to bolt and form new
party and split among the Roosevelt
delegates WIS threatened.
Colonel Roosevelt then issued a
statement after comforting with his
leaders that they should take no part
whatever In the convention proceed.
ings unless the fraudulent" and
stolen" delegates. ninety-two In mum.
Der for Mr.. Taft. were unseated. From
that time on 344 delegates refrained
from voting.
In the closing moments OF the con.
vention a resolution was passed under
the gaven giving the national commit.
tee the power to Ill all vacancies and
empowering the committee 20 declare
vacant the seat OF any member who
refuses TO support the nominees OF
this convention" Former Representa-.
tive Hemenway. OF Indiana. introduced
the resolution.