The pioneer express., 1912-08-09
.ROOSEyfLT'S BIG SPffCH.
STATES HIS VIEWS ON ALL I'M.
PoRTANT QUESTIONS OF DAY.
Negro Question Has Been Trouble.
some and Committee Turned
Down Negro Contestants.

convention was called to order and
twelve minutes later Roosevelt ap-
peared at the Coliseum and made his
way to the platform. A tremendous
wave of applause GREETED him and he
waved his hand in Acknowledgement
OF the greeting. The cheering con-
tinued, the Grand Army fife and drum
corps on the stage joining in the din.
The doors Of the Coliseum were
thrown wide open during the Roose-
Welt demonstration and the hall was
filled to capacity.
The Roosevelt demonstration lasted
ffty-seven minutes, before Chairman
Beverfdge finally secured order.
At 1:4S Beveridge introduced Roose-
velt and the colonel began his speech.
The delegates listened to his speech
with the understanding that they must
either adopt the platform substantially
In consonance with his views or look
elsewhere for nominee for president.
Colonel Roosevelt in setting forth
his views on the negro question, spoke
In part, as follows:
In the republican national conven-
tton hitherto there has been a large
representation of the colored men all
from non-republican states by virtue
Of taking the only form of trying to
make democratic states be good. Do
you see what I mean, the colored dele
gates all come from states that never
cast republican electoral vote, that
never elected colored man to office,
where. largely owing to action partic-
ipated in for forty-five years by a re-
publican party the colored man has
as matter Of fact lost all his politi-
cal rights.
so that the old policy of attempting
to impose on the southern states from
without certain rule Of conduct to-
ward the negro, has in fact broken
down; and friends, regret to say that
every man who has ever been to ma
t1onal convention knows that the
character Of the great majority of the
colored delegates from the south from
those old rotten borough states was
such as to reflect discredit upon the
republican party. and upou the race
itself.
These are the conspicuous points
In the Roosevelt programmes:
The recall of judicial decisions as
first advocated by Roosevelt in the
spring campaign and for which he was
subjected to wide criticism. Roose-
welt now advocates its extension to
apply to federal courts as we'll as dis
trict courts.
The use Of the government to as
sist workmen to become owners of
business in which they are employed.
He declares against blanket revis-
Ions Of the tariff, saying changes
should be made schedule by schedule.
A measure to reduce the high cost
OF living among which are suggested
the elimination of the middle-man,
Legislation to stop speculation which
initiates prices.
The assistance of the farmer by the
state and national governments
| The use Of improved business meth
ods
The reclamation of arid and swamp
lands
| Development by the federal govern
ment Of the Mississippi river as a
deep waterway. by the use Of the plant
employed on the Panama canal upon
the completion Of the canal.
Fortification Of the Panama canal.
Free passing through the canal TO,
coastwise traffic and the imposition
OF equal tolls for all other ships Of
whatever nation
Concluding, the invincible colonel
said: Il hope we shall win and be-
heve that If we can wake the people
to what the fight really means we
shall win. Our cause is based on the
eternal principles Of righteousness.
NOW to you men. who in your turn.
nave come together to spend and be
spent In the endless crusade against
wrong. to you who face the future res
olute and confident. to you who strive
in a spirit Of brotherhood for the bet
terment OF our nation. to you who gird
yourselves for this great new fight in
the never ending warfare for the
good OF mankind. say in closing, we
stand at Armageddon, and we battle
for the Lord"
After listening attentively for near
" three hours to Colonel Roosevelt
the crowd broke loose in a pandemon.
ium Of applause as he ended his re-
markable contribution to the great
speeches Of history. After the adop-
tion Of the report Of the committee on
credentials. the convention adjourned
at 4:15 p. m. to meet at 10 a. m. We'd
nesday.
The committee on resolutions went
into session late tonight to complete
teh draft Of the platform to be adopt
ed by the convention. The sub-com.
committee had worked all day.
Fight Over ssatina Nsuroe..