The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1912-06-21
Convention Refuses to Seat
Roosevelt Convention.
ROOT AS TEMPORARY CHAIRMN
Great Republican Meeting Is Uproar-
ious-Fight Between Two Factions
Begins as Secretary Finishes
Reading Convention Call.

of tumultuous scenes, elected United
States Senator Elihu Root of New
York temporary chairman. This was
the first victory of the Taft forces.
The vote was as follows: Elihu
Root of New York, 558; Frank e. Nc
Govern of Wisconsin, 500; w. S. Lau-
der of North Dakota, 8; Walter L..
Houser of Wisconsin, 3; AISLE ]. Gron-
ma of North Dakotafi l. absent or net
voting, 5; total, 1,O78; necessary for
choice, $40.
1t will be observed from the fore
going figures that Senator Root swung
out the lineup victory by margin
of Sc votes, or Is more than the "a
votes needed to nominate a president.
All during the voting and through
out the speechmaking, some of it
mighty bitter, Senator Root was on
the platform, calm and undisturbed,
chatting with Colonel Harry S. New,
George B. COrteIyou, Elmer Dover,
George r. Sheldon, Secretary Hilles
and DR.. Nicholas Murray Butler. Gov
the floor, seated with his delegats.
Neither Senator Root nor McGovern
voted.
The victory of Senator Root would
have been of more ample proportions
had not the Wisconsin delegation dis
regarded the personal request of Sen
ator LaFollette, sent through Mr..
tn in q
alliances in this controversy. Instead
of regarding Senator LaFollettes
wishes the Wisconsin delegation prac-
tically went over to the Roosevelt side
pumped thirteen votes for Govern
or McGovern, nine for Mr.. auder, 3
for Mr.. Houser and one for Senator
Gronna. One did not vote. Mr.
Houser also got a vote from North
Dakota. The split in the Wisconsin
delegation developed ugly sentiments
among them. Henry F. Cochems of
Milwaukee put Governor McGovern in
nomination and Mr. Houser, Senator
LaFollette's manager, in an impassion-
ate speech, speaking for LaFollette.
declared that Mr.. Cochem's act was
without authority.
The arrangements for the conven-
ton were almost perfect. There wasn't
the slightest sign, not the faintest in
dication of a disorder that required
the Intervention of municipal or state
authorities. Governor Deneen and
Mayor Harrison and the police officers
had made it plain that the first signs
of mob trouble or riOtous efforts would
be put down with a strong hand.
With quiet absolutely assured, Sec
rotary Hayward had not finished the
reading of the call for the conven-
tion before the Roosevelt people start
ed the fight to prevent the seating OF
the delegates on the temporary roll
of the convention. 1t was led by
Governor Hadley of Missouri
On motion by Governor Hadley to
seat the Roosevelt delegations the fac
tons locked horns and parliamentary
technique was evoked from both
sides, accompanied by a tremendous
racket in the audience.
After speeches by Governor Fort of
New Jersey, Serene E. Payne and 9th
ers who controlled the machinery the
convention refused to throw out the
contested roll of delegates
Chairman Rosewater sustained a
point of order that this was irregular.
He followed this lead by refusing to
entertain an appeal from the decision
of the chair.
This brought the test squarely upon
the temporary craftsmanship. Chair
man Rosewater, following party pre-
cedent, named Senator Elihu Root as
the temporary chairman selected by
the national committee. The Roose-
welt warriors accepted the situation.
They pitted against Root Governor
Francis e. McGovern of Wisconsin
Henry F. Cochems, who nominated
Senator LaFollette four years ago.
pres ented the name of Governor Nc
Govern as the Rooseelt candidate
against Root.
From the start or the ballot there
was commotion. The only pleasant
features of it were the cheers given
to Mrs. Florence g. Porter and Mrs.
Isabella w. Blaney, the two women
delegates from California, who, in ris-
ing to vote for Governor McGovern,
were given mighty ovation,
The ballot started with Senator
Root far in the lead. When Pennsyl
Tania was reached there was a ter
rifle tumult over the calling of the
name of an alternate. William Finn,
and Richard R. Quay, the latter dec
grated with badge which read 'Thou
Shalt Not Steal" and their friends in
the delegation disputed the naming of
this alternate, but the roll clerk kept
right ON calling the names while Mr..
Flinn and Mr.-Quay sharply interrupts
ed with that's steal, thief; you are
q pack of thieves. That's what you
&re." Sergeant-at-Arms Stone asMrs
Film and Mr.. Quay and their follow
ing moved toward the platform, direct
ed che police to clear the aisle.----And
yet Mr.. Finn and Mr. Quay kept on