Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-22
CLOSE VOTE ON CALIFORNIA
President's Supporters Obtain q Mar
gin Of Only Thirteen.
MISSOURI SAVES THE DAY
Subsequent Proceedings Marked by a
Better Temper Of Delegates and
Disposition to Be Merry.

were taken by the republican national
convention yesterday afternoon and last
evening on reports from the credentials
committee regarding contested delegates,
and the Taft forces won every time.
The major4ties ranged from a high water
Taft vote of Cos to 464 to a narrow mar
gin of SO to 629. The latter vote was In
the California case. in which the conven-
ton rules for selection OF delegates by
congressional districts came into conflict
with the state primary law providing for
statewide vote on all delegates
Through the technicality the Taft forces
claimed the two delegates from the
fourth district. The case was bitterly
fought, and the voting was followed with
the greatest interest. especially when 1t
was seen that the Taft people were losing
many of the delegates that had been
with them in other contests.
Fun: and Merriment.
After the California case had been dis
posed of. however. the delegates seemed
to be in much better humor. and there
was much fun and merriment during the
were pushed through without serious OPP
There were many humorous illusions to
the steam roller and frequent choruses
of "Choo, choo, choo," in imitation of
the f1gurative machine
For large part OF the time the dele
gates were In an uproar Of laughter.
The galleries became infected and had
fun, too. Many Of the spectators Joined
in the aye and no votes-lifting their
voices on both sides of the proposition
and all joined in the laughter when
ayes appear to have It." Senator Root
often joined in the laughter himself
and once during a lull in the proceedings
he remarked: ITO see a lot Of men, Ia
boring under great strain and feeling,
keep their temper and hold themselves
so in restraint Is fine. fine. 1t speaks
we'll for the endurance Of self-govern-
ment."
Fight Opened With Alabama.
The ninth Alabama district contest was
the first called. minority report was
submitted by R. r. Mccormick, w. T.
Dovell Of Washington presenting the ma
jority report, which recommended the
seating of the Taft delegates.
When the reading had been finished
Gov. Hadley moved that the minority re-
DOTt 1aVOTluS ln6 ScdllHS VI tie 1SOOSCScit
delegates be substituted for the majority.
Heney Of California seconded the mo-
ton.
Gov. Hadley made his motion. which
was renewal Of the fight to keep all
contested delegates from voting. He
sought to bar seventy-two delegates from
casting their ballots until such time as
their own cases had been determined
The original Hadley list contained 81
delegates when first presented last Mon
day. Tuesday is was scaled down to IS.
Yesterday 1t was II.
James E. Watson Of Indiana, the Taft
floor leader. moved to lay the motion OF
Gov. Hadley on the table.
roll call was demanded and ordered.
Taft Gains on First Roll Call.
Washington's IA votes = aye passed
the motion of Watson to lay the Hadley
motion on the table. and ripple Of ap-
plause ran through the hall. The vote
was $50 ayes. 400 noes. 10 not voting.
This was a gain for the Taft forces.
and they applauded and cheered.
The motion to table the motion of Gov.
Hadley to substitute the minority report
for the majority report In the Alabama
contests then was put. and Hadley de-
manded another roll call and 1t was
granted, despite cries Of NO! No.! from
the floor.
Taft Forces Poll Over 600.
On both roll calls the Georgia delega-
ton voted solidly for Taft. 1t had been
divided. "a to 4.
Idaho, voting solidly for Roosevelt on
all previous questions. changed to the
Taft column on this call.
Oregon, divided five and five on the
first call. went six to four in favor of the
Taft proposition on the second. Wiscon-
sin shifted completely on the second call.
voting with the Taft people to table the
minority report. The vote was 6O5 to 464
this time, and the big Taft victory called
out a cheer.
The plan of Gov. Hadley to force a roll
call on the motion to adopt the majority
report was abandoned after this decisive
vote. and 1t was put through viva voce.
Gov. McGovern stated that the change
in Wisconsin's vote was due to the fact
that the Wisconsin members Of the ma
tional committee and Of the committee on
credentials had sustained the contested
delegates. I'VE have no facts on which
10 dispute their judgment, and we there.
y0f To Stutp fhnvVr ho cot