The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-07
Immense Crowd Attends the
Second Days Session
of Convention
DEMONSTRATION ON
ARRIVAL OF COLONEL
Permanent Organization Postponed
Until Today When Platform Will
Be Adopted and Roosevelt's
Running Mate Named

Chicago. August 6.-The second days
session of the national progress
sive convention was given over al
most entirely to Colonel Roosevelt, who
delivered his long waited confession OF
faith, and answered at some length and
with good deal of earnestness a ques-
tion as to his attitude on the negro
question.
The delegates cheered Colonel Roose-
welt for more than an hour when he ap-
peared suddenly and rather dramatically
upon the platform of the Coliseum. While
awaiting the coonel's arrival most Of
the delegates had Joined in an impromptp
song that they would follow him wher-
ever he should choose to lead This
was the spirit of the reception accorded
the former President when he reached
the convention hall and 1t was the spirit
with which his advanced ideas of pro-
gressiveness were received as fast as
they were uttered.
The session. however. was not without
its thrills A Photographic fashlight ex-
plosion set fire to one of the smoke re-
taining bangs hung among the decorations
above the crowded balcony and for a
time there was nervousness which it was
feared might lead to a panic.
Temporary Chairman Beveridge and
Colonel Roosevelt called to everybody to
remain quiet and the band started to play
as two firemen climbed up into the steel
girders of the roof, snatched the burn
ing bag back from its place before the
flames reached the inflammable decora-
tions running along the entire gallery
and eXtinguished the fire. This act was
followed by distinct sigh of relief and a
round of cheers.
Immense Crowd Present
The doors of the convention hall had
been thrown open to the public before
Colonel Roosevelt reached the Coliseum
and the big auditorium held one of its
greatest crowds. The rush for places
was so great that the fire marshal soon
ordered the doors closed again.
There were thrills too when Colonel
Roosevelt was interrupted several times
With questions. The same spectator in the
galleries who yesterday fired the query
al former Senator Beveridge, demanded
I'd know of the colonel; What about the
liAuor tariff?' The query came at the
cl0le of the lengthy explanation of the
speakers attitde on the negro question
and Mr. Roosevelt received it with dis
tinci impatenee.
As the delegates were yelling, shut
up,' and Put him outt'' Colonel Roose-
Welt waved his hand toward the man
and said. TOh, go to a primary school
or spmethingl''
Then he added, gLet me get along with
my speech"
There were cheers and cries of You're
all rightn'
"And please" added the colonel '1et
this now be as much of monologue
as possible
When the colonel had concluded the
convention proceeded at once to adopt
the recommendations of the committee
on credentials and also a rule requiring
that all resolutions submitted from the
floor be sent to the resolutions commit
tee without debate. Permanent organiza-
tion was postponed until tomorrow, when
the platform also is to be adopted and
Colonel Roosevelt and a running mate
nominated for President and Vice Presi-
dent on the new third party ticket.
Roosevelt Is Happy
Col Theodore Roosevelt was in a
happy frame of mind tonight: happy.
he said. over the reception he raceived
at the national progressive convention
today and happy over the fact that to-
morrow he win be nominated for tho
presidency.
Il understand" he said, laughinsly,
tonight, that / am a neck ahead
vention again tomorrow after the nom
inations have been made and In brief
speech viii accept the honor. This sim
pie ceremony probably will do away
with the necessity for formal noti-
fcation ceremony.
There seemed to be no chance to-
night in the plan to nominate Gov.
Hiram w. Johnson of Calofirnia as the
colonefs running mate. A vice presi-
dental boom for Judge Ben B. Lind
sey of Colorado gained some headway
during the day. but practically was
abandoned tonight
No southern democrat aligned with
the new party seemed to stand out
sufficiently in the minds of the lead
ers to offset the insistent demand
among the delegates for Governor
Johnson
II am so glad,s said Colonel Roose-
Welt tonight, that | had an opportu-
nifty in tho convention to express my
views on the negro question. l was
delighted at the interruption for it
gave me the chance | wanted. ] think
the question is disposed of now. | WAS
deeply impressed with my reception by
the delegates. By George, II was fine
Colonel Roosevelt dressed in ultra for
ma, fashion for his visit to the conven-
tion today. He discarded his big felt hat
for a silk one for the first time in many
months and wore a frock coat instead of
the customary sack suit. Crowds fol-
lowed him wherever he went and so MANY
ftate delegations called on him late this
afternoon and evening that he had but
l,tle time for conferences regarding to-
Iiorrow's programme
No Change in Plans
So far as could be learned there was
no change tonight in the plan to con-
tinue former Senator Beveridge as per-
manent chairman.
The fact that permanent organization
went over until tomorrow. it was said.
Indicated that the temporary orsaniza-
tions would be made permanent
This viii be the first business tomorrow
and then will follow the adoption of the
platform, the nomination of Colonel
Roosevelt for President, the nomination
OF a vice presidential candidate, speeches
OF acceptance by the candidates and final
adjournment.
Work on Platform
The committee on resolution of the IA
tional progressive party went into session
late tonight 10 complete the draft Of a
platform to be adopted by the conven-
ton tomorrow. A subcommittee has
worked all day hewing out the various
rlanks to meet the wishes of Colonel
Roosevelt.
The subcommittee. 1t was stated. worked
hard to curtail the platform and to
make the declaration of principles q
model for brevity. There were so many
subjects to be dealt with. however. and