The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-07-11

er OF the thousands Of college boys In
the Wilson following gave to him an
advantage so far as continued effort
at noise-making was concerned.
The terrific din Of Thursday night
which was started by the Clark hosts
when Senator Reed named the speak
er for the Democratic nomination con-
tinued undated for one and quarter
hours, and in It there seemed to be
employed every noise making imple-
ment ever invented
Great as was the Clark demonstra-
ton. however it did not compare in
noise with that led by the Princeton
boys when Judge Westcott named the
New Jersey executive. For more than
one and a-half hours the din contin-
ued. the lusty youngsters seeming to
glory in their ability to keep 1t up.
or all OF the demonstrations OF
Thursday night the most amusing was
that started by man in the press
name OF the Connecticut executive
was entered in tho race for the NOM
nation. Realizing that the fourteen.
delegates from Connecticut could not
successfully compete with the strong
er following OF the other candidates.
the men. in the press stand volun-
teered noisy assistance which they
utes and which subsidized only when
the chair threatened to clear the
press stand II the reporters did not
stop. The many star writer's In the
press stand. mon whose regulations
for genius are worldwide. led the
Baldwin demonstration. and intro
duccd into 1t all the elements OF a
flrst-class vaudeville show or Grid
iron club dinner. 1t was the one real
ly spontaneous and amusing demon
stration Of the long week.
Alfalfa Bill'' Murry, Wilson dele
gate from Oklahoma, was the ac-
knowledged leader of the Wilson
demonstration" among the delega-
TONS Any time Alfalfa Bill" wanted
to start something he would raise his
touselled head, wave his long arms at
the north gallery whore group Of
Princeton boys had seats, and let out
a wild west yell. 1t never failed to
produce results. 1t was such move
that started the demonstration on Sat
urday night when on the twenty
fourth ballot the New Jersey execu-
tive passed the four hundred mark.
OF the many visitors to the conven-
ton none created more interest than
Mrs. William H. Taft, when on Thurs
day afternoon and evening she occu.
pied seat In the box Immediately
back of the speakers stand. She
was the guest Of Mrs. Norman H.
Mack.
Mrs. Taft entered the convention
hall Just before Temporary Chairman
Parker surrendered the gavel to Per
manent Chairman James. The crowd
watched the first lady Of the land with
eager interest as she listened to the
denunciation OF her distinguished hus-
band and the arraignment OF his adj
ministration contained in the speech
Of the permanent chairman. But II
| they expected any evidences OF dis
| pleasure on the part Of Mrs. Taft they
were disappointed, for she only smiled
at each telling point, and at the con.
| clusion of the address applauded
vigorously She did not applaud, or
even smile, when Mr.. James turned
his attention from President Taft to
Colonel Roosevelt and included the
latter in his arraignment and among
L Al ~,
was unalterably opposed.
| AS Mrs Taft entered the box with
| Mrs. Mack gray-haired southerner
near enough to distinguish her start
| ed an ovation for her. When pleas
antly chtded for his actions by q
/ younger acquaintance he replied:
"The first lady OF this land. or any
lady, is entitled to the courtesy Of ey.
cry gentleman, and would have you
know, sir, that tho Democrats Of the
/ South are gentlemen"
Mr.. Bryan and his followers made
political capital from the appearance
in the convention OF Ryan and Bel
mont. They acted as red rag to q
4 bull on the Bryan cohorts. Belmont
occupied a conspicuous place in the
| first row in the box Immediately back
/ OF the speaker, while Ryan, though oc
cupying q seat with the Virginia dele
cation ordinarily, was ON the speak
er's stand number of times. Ryan
wore a plain business suit, and so far
as clothing was concerned could moi
have been distinguished from any Of
the other delegates. Belmont attend
ed most OF the evening sessions
/ dressed In evening clothes, the broad