The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-24

women throughout the country
Mr.. Garfield made a notion which was
adopted, directing Governor Johnson to
appoint the committee of seven.
To Governor Johnson's declaration that
this act had meant the birth of the party,
he added:
Il have watched Theodore Roosevelt
now in another room in this same build
ing. This means more to that man In
the other room than to me or you. And
yet during the last week when we have
become irritated and were unable to gree,
he has kept his serenity, even when we
expressed our feelings in language which
was not fit for publication. In the midst
of it all he never lost his courage, his
fighting spirit. For the love of God
say this reverently-cannot we have
something of this lighting spirit of his?
Enough to Go Forward
I'VE may lose man here and there,
even a governor. But what does 1t mat
ter? There are enough of us to go fI-
ward. IL We can get the spirit of tes
man, there is no more doubt of the res p.
than there is that we are assembled here
in solemn conclave at time of crisis
in the history of this great nation. We
will do our part in the west. You of other
sections must do yours. The only thing is,
be not afraid"
As he was about to adjourn the meet
ing a southern delegate arose with the
suggestion that the new party would be
christened then and there. Mr. Garfield
opposed the idea, saying that this mat
ter and all others should be left to the
national convention which it is proposed
to call within a few weeks. The name
progressive party was most in favor but
no action was taken.
Colonel Roosevelt was at church while
the meeting was in progress. On his re-
turn he began a series of conferences
with the leaders, the last before they re-
turn to their homes.
Senator Dixon was with Colonel Roose-
welt much of the day, although tie coll
onel made 1t plain that the man Nho had
conducted his campaign during the last
four months would not be the leader in
the next few weeks, at least Governor
johnson. he said, would assume with
him the responsibility of directing the
work for an indefinite period until the
new organiza ton assumed definite shape.
Neither Colonel Roosevelt, nor any of
his leaders attempted to give any precise
idea of the lines along which the organi-
cation would be moulded Some of his
advisers were opposed to the plan of
placing the movement denfiitely on the
| basis of third party, on the ground that
| they would ALLEVIATE the republican organi-
| cations of states in which the supporters
suggested that the organizations continue
| through present existence with the sup
port of the Roosevelt republicans and that
| the usual republican tickets be named
with the understanding that the republic
ans elected to the electoral college from
| these states were to vote for Roosevelt
Colonel Roosevelt. while willing to make
not definite statement on this point. said
| that the committee of seven would be
| composed of democrats. A report which
was circulated widely had 1t that a demo-
| crat probably would be named as the
candidate for Vice President on the ticket
with Colonel Roosevelt.
Not So Confident
While some of the leaders of the move
| ment in public statements said that they
were confident of victory for Colonel
Roosevelt, in private conversation tYey
| explained that it would be impossible for
| them to have any idea of the prospects
| for several weeks. They made no secret
of the fact THAT in their opinion the . 1T
come of the democratic national conven-
Should democrat of the progressive be
nominated they believe they viii be in a
position to appeal strongly to progressive
democrats with the chance of making
some Roadway In the south.
1t was admitted that much depends
upon adopting plarfApf action which
will make 1t possible..to preserve the
strength of the republican state organi-
cation in the states in which Colonel
| Roosevelt won at the presidential pri-
maries. 1t was upon this point that
today's conferences hung largely and
| they developed number of spirited dis
icussions. Colonel Roosevelt's idea is
understood to be that 1t will be possible
to transfer the Roosevelt republican
ORGANIZATIONS in Soma GA SEES bodily into
the fold of the new party. This can be
done. he believes, in cases in which
the Roosevelt element IL 80 strong that