The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-06
100 Delegates Are Present
at Opening of the First
Session
BEyERIDGE CHOSEN
TEMPORARY HEAD
Large Number of Women Delegates
a Feature of Conyention-ROose-
welt viii Attend Today and
Deliver His Speech


progressive party of which Colonel Theo-
dcre Roosevelt is sponsor took place in
the Coliseum today and while the setting
was attended by all of the usual cere-
mony and paraphernalia of a natiorsl
political gathering. actual proceedings
were suggestive of love feast.
Not a dissenting voice was raised dur
ing the session. The question of negro
representation from the south had caused
friction earlier in the day in the national
committee but there was no echo of this
fight In the convention. The delegates
were at times explosive in their enthu-
siasm. Many. of the state delegations
came into the hall singing and shouting
in their delight at the birth of the new
party and three hours later left the
building in the same happy frame Of
mind
Although green hands were supposed
to be at the helm, the machinery of the
J convention worked smoothly and eff
ciently. There was no roll call of dele
gates but the delegate section of the
floor, arranged in the same manner as
at the republican national convention a
few weeks ago and accommodating near
ly 100 persons, was filled. The alternate
section also had its full quota. There
was iAot the same crush of spectators
today as atthe republican gathering. but
\ when TIE proceedings began the gall
Ileries had few empty seats. Convention
leaders were enthusiastic tonight over
the showing made in the Coliseum to-
day and made the claim that no better
looking, more substantial set of dele
gates ever was seen on the floor of
national political convention.
Delay in Assembling
Work of the national committee on
contested delegates cases caused delay
of nearly three quarters of hour In
the assembling of the convention. During
the wait the delegates amused them
selves with songs and yells composed
for the occasion while band up near
the flag draped steel rafters and Grand
Army fife and drum corps on the stage
We'd with each other in playing patriotic
airs
There was great cheer as Senator
Dixon national chairman Of the party
raped for order. This was repeated la
ter when the call for the convention was
read and there was even greater enthu-
sasm when former Senator Beveridge
was presented as the choice of the ma
tional committee for temporary chair
man Inc formality OF eleeting senator
beverage was not necessary ana aHid
removed acclaim ne was escorted TO d
place on the stage, decorated with gold
badge and handed the convention gavel.
Senator Beveridge then delivered his
kesnote speech. he spoke TOT more tnai
an hour ana man, expressing some ol
ed by the new party and nd paving the way
IL
10 be made to the convention by Colonel
Roosevelt tomorrow. The temporary
chairman was given the closest atten-
ton throughout. Once he mentioned
President Taft in connection with his
approval of the Payne tariff law and In
stantly there came storm of Jeers ana
syoans from the crowd. Every few min
utes Senator Beverage was interrupted
by applause
Beveridge Is Courteous
The former senator from Indiana made
n most courteous presiding officer and
once when a premature motion to adjourn
was made he begged pardon of the dele
gate for not recognizing at the time
promising attention little later in the
session.
The usual standing committees were ap-
\ pointed In the usual way and then before
Z he first days proceedings were brought
l to a close James r. Garfield of Ohio
moved the appointment of a committee
OF 15 TO invite Colonel Roosevelt TO an
pear before the convention at noon to-
morrow The motion was carried with a
whoop and tonight, with due ceremony.
the colonel formally accented.
Colonel Roosevelt nor baine a delegate
did moi attend the opeuinp session He
emf much of the afternoon motoring
MANY women Delegates
a uselaeu iea,ule @ y, 'ne convention was
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,be ,.,,norarv chairman reached that
,s,t of his sneech advocating sl,fsrag,
hig bannar irscribed Votes fo, vvo,o-
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