The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1912-06-27
Roosevelt Men Cult the FJoht.

NOOsSNtN WtU sbit WIG FtVVt.
The story OF the last day OF the
convention Ia one OF much disorder,
quarrels on the floor sporadic bursts
OF enthusiasm, and, during part OF the
long session, swift work by the well.
oiled Taft machine. Making their
last futile fight on the seating OF the
contested Taft delegates from Wash.
ington and Texas, the Roosevelt dele
gates voted against the platform sub
mitted by the committee on resolu-
lions and then devoted themselves TO
rather riotous behavior. laughter at
the Taft speakers and even at Chair.
man Root. and vigorous refusal to
vote.
The colonel's advice to his forces
was read to the convention by Henry
J. Allen OF Kansas and included
bitter denunclatlon OF the actions OF
the majority. II was booted by the
Taftites, but as the table shows, II
was effective in most instances.
Among the states that disregarded
Roosevelt's request. Illinois stood out
most prominently. That 50 OF It's
delegates voted for the colonel was
due to state political conditions.
Pennsylvania created diversion by
casting two votes for Justice Hughes.
In the mix.up Senator Cummins
grabbed on seven unexpected votes
from Idaho. And la Toilette also
benefited by the conditions, getting
Ave OF South Dakotas votes, in add
tlon to his 26 from Wisconsin and 10
from North Dakota.
Enthusiasm ls Rather Mild.
II the truth must be told the vic
tory of President Taft did not create
any Wild enthusiasm in the Coliseum.
OF course, there was lot OF cheer
ing, and banner bearing the picture
Of the winner was carried through
the aisles, but no one followed It, and
the tired spectators at once began to
make their way out OF the hall Even
the delegates could not be kept In
their seats for the vote on Sunny
Jim" The reading clerks Jumped
about like crazy men trying to catch
the vote In the midst OF the din, and
nobody cared very much whether or
not they succeeded.
This purges the party OF a most
element" said the Taft
men, soberly.
This is the death OF the good old
party. Now for a new
party-a party OF progress" said the
friends Of Colonel Theodore
Roosevelt.
Such Democrats as were present
said little. but looked joyful.
Taft Forces Win Every Point.
From the day when the national
committee met to begin the hearing
of contests, the Roosevelt forces
never won a point OF any moment.
With all the machinery In their con-
troll. the Taft men did not let go OF
that could endanger their
cause In the least. An instance OF
their clever work was the way In
which the report OF the committee on
credentials was submitted to the con-
vention. 1t came In to the hall piece
meal, a state or district at q time.
This enabled Chairman Root to make
the emlnently fair ruling that the
delegates whose seats were involved
In each fragment Of the report should
not vote on its adoption. II sound
ed good, but II was perfectly safe.
On only one OF these reports was the
Taft majority reduced TO a perilous
point. That was the California case.
one OF the strongest
brought up by the Roosevelt men. and
the Taft vote was S42. just two over
! majority.
On most OF the reports the Roose-
Welt leaders did not demand a roll
call. First would come the commit
tee report Then a minority report
with a motion to substitute II. Next
Chairman Root would turn to Jim
Watson OF Indiana, who would rise
and move to lay the minority motion
on the table. AYE" would vote the
Taft men. stolidly. MOO" would
come the long drawn out and loud re-
sponse OF the colonel's delegates. And
TO the footing OF steam roller"
and the jeering laughter OF
the Roosevelt men would come the
chairman's high pitched The ayes
seem to have It; the ayes have IT,"
Even Senator Root Smiled.
Even Senator Root himself could
not always keep a straight face as
this process went on. Once a colored