Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-06-19
THE CONVENTION RECORD.
Continued From Page u

fore this convention until it has been
organized.
Both iHadley and Watson were
cheered as they stood on each side
of the chairman's table facing each
other.
II rose To question of informa-
ton" answered Governor Hadley.
preliminary to making a motion.
Until / had made that motion
there was nothing to make a point Of
order against l still have the recog-
milton of the Chair
Again the cheers broke out.
Governor Hadley then presented his
formal motion, to take from the tenn
pcrary roll the Taft delegates and
substitute THE Roosevelt delegates in
certain contested states.
Mr. Watson renewed his point of
order before the list was read,
1.-THE point of order seems To he
well taken,r said Rosewater. but il
the Governor will address himself to
the point OF order, we will hear him
for 20 minutes, not wishing to be ar
bitrary."
Governor Hadley called to the plat
form Governor DeneeH of Illinois and
Former Governor Fort of New Jersey.
Secretary Hayward announced to
the delegates that each side would be
heard for ~ minutes.
There was a brief consultation on
the stage by the opposing forces.
Then Governor Hadley stepped to the
front of the stage and began his ar
gument.
M.
nounced, two days ago, was being
carried out apparently without regard
to the action of the Roosevelt dele
gates, last night who voted to put in
a resolution requiring that $40 con-
tested affirmativ votes to carry any
proposition.
Gov Hadley briefly announced again
his motion and the fact that Rosewater
had ruled that a point of order against
the motion seemed to be well taken.
INSTEAD of following the illustrious ex-
ample of our distinguished leader Will
liam Mckinley, when he presided in
convention and invited full debate and
consideration of a point of order the
present chairman has asked only for n
brief statement from each side said
Governor Hadley
The mention of MeKinley,s name evok-
ed no applause.
Il assert" he went on, that the
question is whether the national com
mittee of the Republican party has the
absolute power to form temporary roll
for this convention which can only be
changed by a report from a committee
of this convention. or whether this con-
vention itself shall say who shall sit
IN it.
IF it is in the power of q men to say
who shall sit in this convention arbi-
trarily and without appeal, then We have.
reached the end of representative gov
eminent in this country
A round of cheers greeted this attack
on the national committee. The dele
gates listened to Hadley with quiet at
tention.
I'VE know but one government in this
country" he said. Government by po-
litical party.
IF a political convention can be con-
trolled by a group of men within the
party, then have we established political
oIfgarchy. Then have we given few
men control over party and convention"
Governor Hadley said he had ample
precedent for the action he demanded.
In 1864, he said. the convention Fin its
own right to conduct its own business in
it's own way overthrow the national
committees selection of a temporary
chairman.
"That convention declared that the
National committee was the servant,
not the master of the people in the
party"
Hadley also quoted as a precedent
decision of George f. Hoar. presiding
in the convention in 1880, who recog-
nized motion to amend the tempo
rary roll by substituting delegates.
"This is the way this question should
I've decided. today shouted Hadley
and the crowd cheered.
II offer your, Mr.. Chairman" con-
tinued Hadley, the precedent of the
convention OF 1864, which for a second
time nominated Abraham Lincoln.
call to your attention the statement
CT Senator Hoar at that time that a
motion to amend the temporary roll
was in order for consideration and to
be passed upon.
But conceding for the sake of argu-
ment the contention of the other side
that this is entirely a new question
and that there is no precedent, every
precedent must have a beginning. In
order to live that precedent must be
decided in accord with the eternal prin-
aiple of right and wrong. This, my
frineds, repeat, is a question of prin-
ciple. rather than of precedent"
I'VE cannot sit and close our ears
to what the American people are say
ing today" continued Gov. Hadley.
Wild cheers broke in upon his speech.
"'rhe integrity of this temporary roll
has heen challenged by Is men on the
National committee, who signatures |
have in my pocket, saying that SO
names on that roll are of delegates not
honestly elected, in place of so dele
gates who Lave been elected by the Re-
publican voters of the respective
states ard territories.
LAS long as we do not fairly discuss
this matter, any man who goes out
of thic convention with the nomination
will bear tainted nomination and will
neither deserve nor receive the sup
port of the American people.
Il do rot say that these charges are
true. said Hadley. Il sat in that conf
mittee and know some of them are