Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-22
DETAILED STORY OF PROCEEDINGS
AND SCENES AT THE CONVENTION

Not more than 100 delegates were
in their seats at S:45 o'clock this
morning The galleries were practi-
cally empty. and the prospects were
that II would be well after the hour
set for converting before the conven-
tion settled down to the work of what
the leaders hope to make the last ses-
sion. Not single official had put in
an appearance except Sergeant-at-
Arms Stone, who was busy comforting
with his assistants and the convention
police.
At 10 o'clock there was only a
sprinkling of delegates on the floor.
and the galleries were practically
empty. There was talk Of an attempt
at Roosevelt demonstration. Chair
man Root issued orders to the SER
geant-at-arms and the police that no
delegations were to be allowed to
march into the hall. Orders were also
issued to bar all banners.
AS the delegates seats on the floor be-
gan to fill Chairman Root Senators
Crane and Penrose, Secretary Hilles.
William Barnes, jr., Representative Mar
tin Olmsted and Secretary Nagel Of the
Department OF Commerce and Labor ap-
peared on the platform.
Pennsylvania delegate, with mega
phone. shouted derisive comments at
Penrose and Root. which evoked only
a smile from the senators. Senator Smoot
Of Utah Joined the platform group.
AT 1880 signs OF impatience became
evident in the hall, and a Pennsylvania
delegate rose in his place and yelled at
the chairman:
MIR, Root. call the convention to or
der. It's half-past TO-"
Forty-Three Minutes Late.
1t was 1O:43 when Chairman Root LET
his gavel fall. The floor was in confu-
sion and the aisles were crowded with
delegates seeking their seats.
Clear the aisles," shouted the SER
gean,-at-arms. and his force scattered
through the hall to quiet the disorder.
No sooner had Chairman Root announc-
cd that the convention was opened than
q stentorian voice from the galleries
shouted: "All aboard"
chairman Root. when some semblance
OF quiet had been secured introduced the
Rev. John Wesley Hill OF New York, who
opened the proceedings with PRAYER
As Dr. Hill closed some ono in the gal
lery yelled "Toot. toot,' and there was
much laughter.
Contrary to expectations the first re-
port presented from the committee on
credentials dealt with the Mississippi del
cgates at large. 1t recommended the
ating OF the Taft delegates When the
y ading was finished the gallery crowd
shouted:
The ayes have it"
Good Nature Prevails.
The good nature which prevailed all of
yesterday afternoon was again evidenced.
The Roosevelt people presented a
minority report. but made no fight, and
tie Taft delegates We're seated viva voce.
Amid a chorus of foot, toot" and
'Choo. choo'' from the galleries, the re-
port ON the contest in the second district
OF Mississippi was read. The report
characterized the Roosevelt contest as a
paper case"
There was no minority report and the
vote was taken without delay. Chairman
Root announced the seating OF the Taft
delegates. The same procedure seated
two Taft delegates in the fifth, sixth and
Seventh Mississippi districts.
AS the result OF each vote was an
nounced a chorus of shrieks, groans and
cat calls greeted the statement: The
ayes have it,
tor with a mechanical whistle blew two
short shrill blasts as each contest was
disposed of.
One by one the contest reports were
brought In. read in a near riot of dis
order and passed.
The fourth North Carolina third Okla
homa and the second Tennessee. on
which there were no minority reports
went through under the gavel. about one
fourth of the delegates hearing the read
ar.g OF the reports.
The Washington cases came next and
che convention sobered down after an
adInonition from Chairman Root.
Steam Roller Exceeding Speed Limit.
An amusing incident preceded the re-
Fort Of the committee. B. II. Howard. a
delegate from Mississippi. arose. "Mr.
Chairman. make the point Of order that