The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1912-06-19
T. R. MEN LOST
tconusass IRON Yirss D.Ss,

can oniy De lang by q report from
q committee of the convention, or
whether this convention itself shall
say who shall sit In n.
If II In In the power of the twenty
seven men to say who shall sit in this
convention. srbitrr rily and without
appeal. then we have reached theend
OF representative governmnt in this
country"
A round Of cheers greeted this at
tack on the National committee. The
delegates listened to Hadley with
quiet attention.
we know but one government in
this country" he said. Government
by political party.
IF a political convention can be
controlled by a group of men within
b party. then have we established
political ~oligarchy; then have we
given n few men control over party
and convention"
Governor Hadley said he had am
pie ~precede-t for the action he de-
handed.
In 1854" he said. "the convention.
In It's W right 10 conduct its own
business In It's own way. overthrow
the National conventions election OF
a chairman.
That convention declared that the
National committee was not the mas
ter OF the people in the party"
Hadley also quoted as a precedent
a decision OF George F. Hoar. OF Mas
sa~chusetts. presiding in the conven-
ton In 1880. who recognized a mo-
ton to amend the temporary roll by
substituting delegates.
This Is the way this question
should be decided today" shouted
Hadley. and the crowd cheered.
Il oner you, Mr.. Chairman" con-
tinued Hadley, the precedent OF the
convention OF 1864. which, for a sec
ond time. nominated Abraham Lin
coin. l call your attention to the
statement OF Senator Hoar at hat
time, that a motion 10 amend the roll
was in order and to be passed upon.
But ~conceeding for the sake OF ar
gument the contention OF the other
side that this Is entirely a new ques-
ton and that there is no precedent,
every precedent must have a begin
ming. And in order TO live that prece-
dent must be decided in accord with
the eternal principle Of right and
wrong. This. my friends. l repeat is
a question OF principle rather thar OF
precedent.
Hadley Is cheered.
we cannot sit and close our EARS
b TO what the American people are say
ing to-day continued Governor Had
ley.
Wild cheers broke in upon his
speech.
The integrity OF this temporary
roll has been challenged by Is men
on the national committee whose sig
natures ! have in my pocket. saying
that eighty names on that roll are OF
delegates not honestly elected. in place
of eighty delegates who have been
Nected by the Republican voters OF
ne respective states and territories.
As long as we do not fairly discuss
his matter. any man who goes out
OF this convention with the nomination
will bear a tainted nomination, and
Will neither deserve or receive the
support OF the American people.
i do not say that these charges are
true said Hadley, II sat in that CON-
mittee and know some OF them are
n But true or false. let us meet
them here. Let rs see why fifteen
members OF the committee believe
these votes fraudulent and void.
Just 30 sure as you neglect 10
meet this question and settle II ION
estly, the American people will say
that you have failed in your duty.
We say that this convention
should o proceed TO the regular
business OF this meeting until n has
decided this question. decided wheth-
or these charges Of corruption ARE
true. and purged the roll OF this con.
vention OF these f%rauduIenty elected
delegates"
Hadley closed in a arorm Of ap-
plause n Governor Fort Of New
Jersey took the stage.
Gov. Fort Recognized.
As the cheering subsidized a. the
concl/ ion Of Governor HadIevs
speech. Governor Fort took up the
argument.
There has never come before a
great national convention Of this
great party Of our a question 81 more
vital importance than the question
you ere now called upon 10 deter
mine"
In 1880. he said. when \ question
was raised AZ 10 the right ~ the con.
venton 10 pass on he temporary roll
the convention was declared 10 hold
the power and determine the oues.
lions.
Mr.. Fort followed the Example %,
Governor Hsdley In addressing hls
argument 10 the delegates rather than
20 the chair.
Fort did not get far I'm his argu.
ment before the crowd began m
laugh and interrupt him with cries
Of "Sit down"
Fort made the mistake of answer
ing he galleries. which clearly held
big prepondsrance OF Taft svmpa.
thizers. The Roosevelt people claim
they were packed Mr. fort was con.
htantly IN trouble after that
That's right" he shouted. "trv m
make a man fif down when he l-
here fighting fraud
Fort said g. was Tho duty of evsry
man 20 wore that tho convention has
The power 10 determine whether or
not the roll prepared for the convsn.
ton vas such as tho convention
would accept.
"sit down" aEaln shouted the gai.
iery.
u appeal % the member ~ fbts
convention 10 assert their
Fort shouted ~ appeal 10 tho ~on.