Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-06-12
Taft Adds II to His List, with a Total Of 1O1
Contests Decided in His FavOr-The Committee
Hearings Rather Lively DAY and Night SEES.
si0nS Probable for Rest Of the Week.
THE DAYS PROCEEDINGS.

Chicago, June 11.-It was hoped,
| early in the day, that the case of the
IS Kentucky delegates could be dis
posed of by the middle of the after
| noon and the Louisiana cases taken
up and at least partly disposed of.
National Committeeman Pearl Wight of
Louisiana was prepared for the pre-
sentation of the latter cases, in which
practically all of the states delegates
are contested.
The Louisiana case presented COM
plication similar to that in Florida,
three delegates appearing before the
committee to contest for the seats.
Committeeman Nights support was
with the .'Suthon delegation" instruct
ed for Roosevelt.
The Kentucky Roosevelt contestants
for the places of elegates-at-large
We're only two in number, although the
state is entitled to four seats-at-large
in the National convention. The Taft
faction had named a complete set of
delegates. but the names of Z. c. o.
Rear and Leslie Combs were all that
appeared on the roll as Roosevelt con-
testants.
Rep. Olmstead of Pennsylvania took
his seat in the committee on the proxy
of Franklin Murphy of New Jersey.
The Kentucky contestants were
quickly in place at the opposing ta-
bles.
A telegram from Senator W. o.
Bradley at Washington, one of the
contested Taft delegates. was read by
Sec Hayward. Senator Bradley de-
| u. n
the Roosevelt credentials had not been
filed within the allotted time.
Secretary Hayward informed the
committee that the Bradley creden-
tails had been filed. May 2, and the
O'Rear or Roosevelt notice of contest
was fled, May %, the last permissible
day, but that no credentials were FL
ed to show that any contesting dele
gates had been elected
The committee decided that the con-
testants were entitled to a hearing.
Ormsby McHarg, for the Roosevelt
forces, said one argument would Gov
er the case of the delegates-a large
and the district delegates from the
LIST, I'd and 4th Districts.
Judge T.. G. O'Rear. heading the
Contrasting Roosevelt delegation, be-
gan the Roosevelt arguments.
The charge we have made in Ken
lucky" he said, lis that the machine
methods have gotten so far into the
Republican party that the independ-
ent voter has little choice between the
Republican and Democratic parties"
Judge O'Rear declared he would try
to show there was deliberate plan
70 Il -
against the wishes of the people and
that this plan was participated in by
the party leaders and the Republican
state committee.
Federal oaiceholders," said Judge
Judge O'Rear sat in judgment upon
the credentials and rights of all dele
gates"
In Breathitt county. he said, the
Roosevelt men won but the Taft men
were seated at the convention.
Judge ORear declared hundreds of
Ohio and West Virginia men had come
| into Kentucky to take part in the
Boyd county convention. He said that
| in other counties. residents had
come in to participate in the conven-
ton.
| Judge O'Rear declared conditions
throughout Kentucky We're such that
few districts selected their delegates
| in accordance with popular opinion.
| In the state convention, presided ovel
by Senator w. Bradley. he said, the
| control by the Taft forces had been pro
cured by seating contested delegations.
I'VE do not claim we were elected.
said Judge O'Rear. because there wa:
no opportunity given to elect us. w
i have brought this question direct to tin
highest party authority. If you have thu
Il right to decide who can sit in the con
vention, you also have the right to ex
purgate that roll, and to refuse seats t
Il those not properly elected.
'The total vote we claim was takel
n from Col Roosevelt in the first distric
was about go"
1 In the second district. he said, tn
| Taft forces saw in advance they wer
outnumbered in the Davis county conven
ton and hurried to the hall and electe
Taft delegates before anyone else had
chance to come in
Judge O'Rear said he was opposed (
"bolting' and that if they had bolted i
/ the Kentucky districts It would hav
/ been of no avail. as the conventions wer
being conducted by the regular party or
| ganization.
"Had these county chairmen been Ion
in Officer asked Mr.. Devine.
Eyes. / don't question their honest
now" said Judge O'Rear. 81 simpl
question the frailty of human nature"
| Judge O'Rear, again stated that tn
Roosevelt delegates had no credential
to present to the committee.
Continued on Page Twelve.)