Omaha daily bee., 1912-04-27
POINT OF ORDER RULED OUT
Could Not Be Entertained Because a
Lady Had the Floor.
NATIONAL CONVENTION EPISODE
Chivalric Decision of the Dean of
Convention Chairmen. Henry
watterson-A Coveted
Distinction.

"one of the greatest honors that car
fall to any American in public life Il
to be called to preside over a republican
national convention"
! 1t was with these words that Senator
Henry Cabot Lodge OF Massachusetts,
began his speech to the republican ma
tional convention OF 1900. over which he
had been called to preside. The Sigh,
tinge Of partisan pride that Senator
Lodge gave TO the expression by. his
adroit choice OF words was natural and
suitable to the occasion. Democrats In
similar positions have spoken with the
same sincerity OF conviction Of the honor
of presiding over the national conventions
of their party, 1t is indeed one of the
greatest honors that can fall TO any
American in public life-to be called to
preside over a national convention of one
or the other of the great political par
ties.
The professions OF gratitude that the
president OF a national convention in
variably makes on taking the chair are
regared, perhaps. as a tormality re-
quired by custom and not to be taken too
seriously. Yet there can hardly be a
| doubt that the men who have been
chosen as presiding officers by national
conventions have been deeply sensible
that great investment had been con-
ferred upon them, even II their appreci-
alton has been expressed in stereotyped
phrases. No matter how many public
honors man has enjoyed-unless the
very highest In the gift OF the nation
he is pretty sure not to regard an cleo.
'tion to the Craftsmanship Of a national
convention as a superfluous distinction
Dean of National Chairmen.
OF the men now living, who have pre-
sided in national conventions of either Of
the great parties. Henry watterson is
the dean. Colonel watterson was tenn
porary chairman Of the democratic ma
uonal convention held in St Louis in
June. 1876. He was then only IS years
OF age, but he had already made a ma
uonal reputation as a journalist, a poll
tieian and an orator.
He was the earnest peacemaker be.
tween the Sections. Before Lamar an.
peared and when Grady was q school
boy, Watterson was seeking a better
understanding among the southern and
northern people. He had been one of
the leaders in the effort to reInvigorate
. and reorganize the democracy during the
decade following the war, and the prom
inenee that he had gained by his &C.
tivity as hberalist, together with, his
tafE a -.
full speaker. would have been suffice
TO account for his selection for the tenn
porary Craftsmanship. But there was an
J other reason that had probably quite as
much weight. He was a devoted fol-
lower and confidential friend Of Samuel
J. Tilden. whose name was on every
body's lips when the delegates were as
sembling for the convention. and whose
nomination as the democratic candidate
for president was plainly foreshadowed.
Colonel watterson. therefore, was
chosen for the duty which is distinc-
lively that of the temporary chairman
Of national convention-that of $50.
ing the keynote" OF the campaign.
There was a lot Of pent-up enthusiasm
in the convention and watterson set II
loose with his eloquence. In a single
sentence he summed up the issues OF the
compaign from the democratic point OF
view. We have come here" he said,
TO make the peoples fight for free no
less than FOR an honest government. for
the reform OF the public service. and
for the regeneration of public morals;
for administrative relief from admin
creed Of home rule. reduced taxes, and
a living chance for the south as well as
for the north; alike for both east and
west -...-
stirring Incident.
There were no contests for seats in
the St Louis convention Of ls76. and
Henry Watterson had fairly smooth
sailing. There rose. however. one crisis
which he had TO meet. and he met that
with the vigor and promptItude tina,
were to be expected from a soldier and
a Kentuckian. The woman suffragists
had a short time previously held a ma
tional convention. They sent a delega-
tion TO st. Louis, headed by Miss Phoebe
Couzins, sFho was then a very beautiful
young goman Of that city. She later be-
came widely known as q lawyer. Ae-
eompanied by several Of her sisters she
was on hand to present an address to
the democrats. Colonel Watters0n had
been informed Of heir mission and had
promised that the ladies should have
hearing.
The convention had been in session all
one afternoon with watterson in the
chair. the suffragists meanwhile waiting
for the chance promised them As soon
as the final matters OF regular business
on the program Of the session had been
disposed Of an impatient delegate made
a motion to adjourn Colonel watterson
requested that It be withdrawn. and an
nouneed that delegation from the wom-
ans Rights association was In the con-
ventfon, han and that It desired to be
heard. The impatient delegate oblIg-
ingly withdrew his motion and the colonel
forthwith APPOINTED a committee tn ss