Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-06-13
UNITED ranas LnAsnp wIan.l


Chicago, June 13.-Theodore Roose-
velt's first big victory before the Re
publican national committee was
scored.this afternoon when the Roose-
welt delegates at large from Missouri
were seated over the Taft contestants,
For the first time since the hearing
of contests started, the Taft members
of the committee showed disposition
to go to the very bottem of contest,
and as result the Roosevelt dele
gates proved to the satisfaction Of the
committee that there was no question
as to the legality of their election.
Conceded II to Roosevelt.
The motion to seat the Roosevelt
delegates at large was made by sena-
tor Penrose, Of Pennsylvania, who,
with Senator Crane, Of Massachusetts,,
have been characterized as the two
most radical Taft men on the national
committee. The lead Penrose took in
the contest came as surprise to the
Roosevelt committeeman and law
yers
Originally there were eight dele
gates at large, each with half vote,
elected from Missouri. The committee
desired the representation of that
state to be the same as in other states,
and the proposition was made that the
first four names put on the list of del
egates to the national convention be
made the regular delegates, each with
a full vote, and the four other dele
gates be made alternates. AS Cover
nor Hadley headed the delegation, he
quickly agreed to this proposition.
Contrary to expectations, the Mis-
souri, contest was marked by better
temper than any Of the big contests
which preceded 1t. IL seemed to be
the purpose Of the Taft committee
men, as well as the Roosevelt follow
ing, to give every contestant a chance
II tell the entire story.
Taft Got Mississippi.
The Taft delegates in the Mississippi
contests, which proceeded that from
Missouri, practically swept the board
With the exception Of the eighth Miss
issippl district, where the delegation
was split Taft and Roosevelt each be-
ing given a delegate, the other con-
tests were decided in favor Of the Taft
men, they being seated In the second,
fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh dis
trlcts.
Six attorneys appeared for each side
In the Missouri contest. Governor
Hadley leading the Roosevelt men,
The Taft attorneys accused Governor
Hadley Of using the militia and po-
lice to prevent the state committee
which Taft controlled, from unseating
the Roosevelt delegates, whose votes
gave Roosevelt control Of the con-
yentlon. They insisted that Governor
Hadley promised to split the delega-
tlon at large, but instead elected six
Roosevelt men and two Taft delegates
The two Taft delegates then re-
signed and two Roosevelt men were
named In their places, Governor Had
ley then declaring the convention ad-
iourned. The Taft speakers asserted
that the governor had no authority to
adjourn the convention, and that the
TAFT people reconyened II at the Plant
ers hotel, In st. Louis, TO reconsider
the earlier action, and finally named
TAFT delegates at large.
Governor Hadley denied that he was
a party to any such agreement, and de-
Tended the Roosevelt delegates lie
presented affldaylts intended TO show
that the convention at the Planters
hotel was attended only by few Of
the unsuccessful contestlng delegates,
who did not pretend TO be regular
Hadley insisted that even il the lead
ers had come to some agreement,
which he emphatlcally denied, that
did not bind the convention.
Members Of the committee frequent
" interrupted and questioned Cover
nor Hadley and the Taft lawyers.
The committee seated the Roosevelt