The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-04-12
MICH|GANDERS IN
CONVENTION IN
FREE FIGHT
Militia Called in to Quell the
Tumult
FACTIONS FINALLY DIVIDED
Taft Crowd Chose Six Delegates and
Roosevelt Forces Also Named
Six to National Convention
FACTIONS FINALLY DIVIDED

Bay City, Mich, April 12.-Taft
and. Roosevelt men in Michigan pol
itics, refusing any basis of compro-
mise after "a hours of conference, at
yesterday at the state repub-
lican convention here to put a quart
of delegate into a pint measure, and
in so doing precipitated one OF the
most bitter conventions in the history
of the state, the birthplace of the re-
publican party. Two sets of leaders
and delegates, Taft and Roosevelt,
fought out their issues to a point
where state militia, police and ser
geants at arms were needed to main
tain a semblance of orderly proceed
ure. AS a result, the credentials COM
mittee of the republican national con-
vention at Chicago in June will be re-
quired to determine whether six Taft
delegates at large or an equal num-
Der of Roosevelt delegates from Mich
igan shall be seated in the Coliseum.
Taft leaders said last night the
seating of the six delegates at large
would make no difference in the Mich
igan state delegation in that the var
iOus district conventions outside of
the state convention had named more
than enough delegates to make Ger.
tain the vote of Michigan for Taft.
The Taft delegates named yesterday
after Roosevelt men had left the ar.
mory We're: John ID. Mckay Of De
troit w. j. Richards of Crystal Falls,
George B. Morley of Saginaw, Fred
Digins of Cadillac, Eugene Fifield OF
Bay City and William Jackson OF
Grand Rapids. The Roosevelt dele
gates named before the convention
broke up in a row were: Gov Chase
S. Osborn, Charles Nichols of Detroit
Sybrant Wesselius of Grand Rapids
II. F. Boughey of Traverse City, The
odore Joslyn Of Adrian, w. d. Gordon
Of Midland.
After the sensational fight on the
floor, during which ex-senator Albert
j. Beverage of Indiana left the ar
mory, the closing incidents in the con
yention were comparatively tame
Perfunctory resolutions were adopted
and speeches were delivered by state
leaders favorable to President Taft
Leaders on both sides last night ad
mitted that they had expected the re
suits which came with the close Of the
convention.
The gravity Of the situation with q
larger delegate body than that OF the
national convention to control. caus
ed Mayor Roy Woodruff OF Bay CITY
to place almost his entire police force
on duty at the convention hall early
in the day in addition to many private
detectives TO prevent possible seriou.
disorder. Following up the initiative
displayed in the special state centra
committee meeting Taft member.
pushed their advantage by ASSUMING
charge OF the convention auditorium
soon after midnight Wednesday nigh
when former Senator Beveridge hat
concluded his address at the annua
banquet Of the Mckinley club OF Ba,
City. Arrangements were made [,
keep out all persons lacking creden
tails.
After conferences OF the state cen
trail committee, the militia, police an,
seTgeants at arms received their in
structions from the opposing factions
Acting Chairman Shields ordere,
them to admit only those delegates
with cards bearing the signature o
Secretary Paul N. King OF the stat,
committee. Chairman Knox instruct
ed the guards to allow no one 10 en-
ter unless he carried a card bearinl
mis- signature. After receiving tn
conflicting orders the guards Wake,
across the practically vacant armor,
10 the large front doors. A few mir
utes later the doors were opened bu
only the delegates bearing cards sier
ed by Secretary King were admitted
thus Taft forces filled the hall do,
pile frantic efforts OF the Roosevelt
men to gain entrance through sid
doors, windows and the basement
Ihe opposing chairmen attempte
at the same moment to open IN
convention. w. ID. Gordon OF MI,
land, Roosevelt committeeman
sprang to the stage and attempted /
ADDRESS the convention. He wa
hurled from the stage by ]. f. Creme
OF Marquette. a Taft man. polio
ana militia at this juncture force
back hundred men who sought
engage In the fight preclpltated b
Gordon and Cremer. All attempts
quiet the excited delegates SCENE
useless, While Secretary King a
tempted to vote on the question
temporary chairman, Gordon resur
ed his speech amid wild confuslo
More Roosevelt delegates entered n
nan through transoms over. door
rolioe fought and elected some
them. Finally Secretary King n
nounoed that Grant Fellows Of Hu
son, Taft delegate. had been eio,