The log cabin Democrat., 1912-06-24

spontaneity which marked the two
notable demonstrations for Roosevelt
Through both of them, the 564
Taft delegates, with Chairman Root
IN command, sat stoldly in their
places knowing that they would do
the voting while the thousands could
only make a noise. They held the bal
ance of power, and would continue to
use it effectively when the Roosevelt
shouters were worn out. And thew
did. The people might be for Roose-
welt, but the machine was for Taft,
and it was well-oiled, with well-train-
ed engineers and fremen.
Talk of bolts, and new parties, and
dark horses and compromise candi-
dates developed early. At one time
the Roosevelt members of the Gre
dentials committee walked out, but
they afterwards walked back again.
led by Heney of California. Roose-
welt early served notice that he would
not abide by the action of the con-
vention controlled by tainted dele
gates. He demanded that the roll be
purged, and that contested delegates
De not permitted to act as Judges in
their own cases. But he was ruled
down on every point, except occas-
lonally when Chairman Root, know
ing he could lose nothing, would
throw sop to the opposition by MAX
ing a ruling that had the appearance
of fairness. But Roosevelt never did
openly advocate boiling convention.
and several of his staunchest sup
porters, as Hadley of Missouri, Bo
rah of Idaho, and Deenen of Illinois.
would not have Joined a walk-out. At
the last, however, when all the con-
testants had been beautifully steam
rolled, he advised his followers that
his name would not be presented to
the convention. He asked, however.
that his delegates sit through the
proceedings and not participate.
Their silence would thereby empha-
size their disapproval of the high
handed proceedings.
When the name of New York was
reached no one presented the name of
the Colonel, and 344 refra;ned from
voting, 561 voting for Taft, II for
Cummins, Al for LaFollette, and S
absent. There was no enthusiasm
about the nomination. Even the faith
full majority must have recognized
the fact that they were driving nails
in the casket of the Republican party.
1t was an occasion more for mourn
ing than for applause.
During the greater part of the
convention Colonel Roosevelt had
spent his time in his headquarters at
the Auditorium Annex in consulta-
ton with his followers, and did not
go near the convention. After the
adjournment of the convention Sat-
urday night, delegates from % states
assembled at Orchestra hall, formed
the preliminary organization of the
National Progressive Party, and
formally nominated Roosevelt for
president. He accepted, and said
that he would appeal to the honest
progressives in all parts in all sec
tions to stand by him. Plans for
holding national convention of the
new party early in August are al
ready under way The action of the
Baltimore convention this week will
have a considerable bearing upon it.
Should a conservative be nominated
it is generally conceded here that
there will be split, and there is a
great deal of talk of a ticket to be
composed of Roosevelt and Wilson.
Bryan has been here during the
convention as a reporter in the press
gallery, and he is jubilant over the
result, believing that its presages
certain success for the Democratic
party, if the party will refrain from
making worse blunder than the Re-
publicans. He and Governor Wilson
have lined up for progressive policies
and under the circumstances it is
generally conceded that to adopt any
other course would be to put the
Democratic party in the same grave
the Republicans have dug for them.