Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-06-13
Il was merely informing the Cha
was the answer.
Thanks, said Rosewater.
The California Contest.

The California contest involving
two delegates from the 4th District
was called and Heney took a place
at the table as attorney for the Roose-
welt delegates.
Frederick -. Bryan of Washington
opened the case for the Taft delegates.
He declared they had received the ma
jolity of votes in The 4th District. I'm
der California primary laws. the right
of district representation had been de-
MED, he said. and the unit rule" APP
Piled 10 the whole California delega-
ton
Mr.. Bryan stated that two Taft del
egates. because they claimed to have
about $50 majority in the 4th District
declined to be bound by the Roosevelt
vote in the state at large.
"5rhe law provides, does IL not,
asked Mr. Kellogg, that all delegates
snail he bound by the majority in the
state at large%' Yes, it does"
what was the Roosevelt majority
in the state?" asked Kellogg.
seventy seven thousand. inter
rupted Mr.. Heney.
Mr. Kellogg called attention TO the
fact that the committee had already
seated all the other California dele
gates.
But in this one ease" said Mr.
Bryan. "the Taft delegates received q
majority"
Governor Hadley of Missouri hold
ing a proxy for Mr. Bieber of the Dis
triet of Columbia, asked Mr. Bryan II
he thought the cali of the Republican
National convention was superior 10 9
state law.
when the state law interferes with
the party law. the National commit
tees ruling is supreme" said Mr.
Bryan.
Senator Penrose asked Mr.. Bryan If
he knew anything about the deliber-
ate attempt in California TO violate
the Republican committees call by
passing the primary law" Mr. Heney
objected TO having California libelled
in this way"
He was called to order by the chair
man, who said ne would have an OPP
portunity to be heard. later.
Mr. Bryan said believed the conn
mittee ought not to submit to the at
tack that had been made upon II by
Gov johnson of California. even
though he were governor of sover-
eigu state"
Mr.. Heney opened his defence OF
the Roosevelt delegates in a vigorous
manner.
I appeal to YOU Senator Murray
Crane" he began, when the chairman
told him to address the committee in
proper terms.
Il am addressing member of the
committee whom ! believe has no re-
spectability to lose" Mr.. Heney re-
piled.
Are you here to argue this case %
demanded Mr.. Chnbb. of Florida.
M" shouted Heney. Il have come
here for the purpose of apprising the
President that he is accepting stolen
goods if he takes these delegates when
you give them to him."
Mr.. Rosewater again told Mr.. Heney
to eonfine himself to the arguments
and not talk To the galleries.
Mr.. Heney insisted the call of the
Republican National committee pro-
vided that state laws should not in
terfere with district election of dele
gates, provided the district wanted Ia
exercise its rights. In the fourth dis
trict, he said, the Republican organ
ization had never proceeded legally
TO the selection of delegates.
Mr. Devine asked Mr.. Heney If the
California law did not prohibit any
district from eleeting delegates and
if all did not have to be "at large"
Yes, to get ON the ticket" shouted
Int IN ka tad nv
committee"
Answer my question: said De-
vine mo district could select its
own delegates. under your laws?"
Mr. Heney then presented eertifi-
e2tes and aftldayits showing that con-
fusion had existed in the voting reg
listers in the 4th and 5th California
Districts and that later examinations
showed that Roosevelt men had re-
ceived a majority of votes.
MIR Heney then announced that
Governor Johnson had refused to APP
pear before the committee and read a
letter from the governor announcing
his refusal.
A motion to seat the Taft delegates
from the California district made by
MT. ESldUIoOk Oi NEW -
was followed by motion by Borah t.
seat the Roosevelt delegates.
A roll call was refused on the Ror-
all motion, and ii was defeated viva
voce,
roll call vote then began on the
Estabrook motion, which carried.
James A. Tawney. casting the vote
of Brooker of Connecticut. declared
the recognition of states instead OF
Congressional districts in seating dele
gates would completely oyerturn Re-
publican principles
Senator Borah, voting against the
Taft delegates. declared the electors
from each state We're selected by
statewide vote.
Can you give to voluntary or
ganization, he demanded, referring
10 the National committee, greater
power than is invested in a sovereign
state2 You are making 1t Impossible
for a Republican to preside over TINS
nation for the next four years. 1t is
a greater question than the election OF
Taft or Roosevelt. it is a question OF
the perpetuation of the principles toi
which Lincoln lived and died.
Frank o. Lowden of Illinois declar
h.. Fsafa Af a