Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-06-20
THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION.

The National Republican Convention
now in session in Chicago is the mostre-
markable gathering within the knowledge
of the present generation. For months
mast the bitterness and strife between
President TAFT and former President
Roosevelt and their followers has been
growing more and more fierce, until it
has eliminated in the vicious fight over
contiol of the convention that assembled
OIL Tuesday.
When the National Executive Com
mittee met last week 10 consider the
many contests as to the rights OF dele
gates il was quickly ascertained that the
vote for control of the convention would
be very close. The committee, which
was composed of a majority OF TAFT sup
porters, thereupon undertook to strength
en- the Presidents forces by giving him
practically all of the protested seats.
The steam roller was ruthleSSly run over
the minority, and when the contests had
been finally settled President Taft had
gotten 235 OF the contested delegates to
pitiful 10 allowed Roosevelt.
The Roosevelt people ragged at this
bold steal, but were helpless. The re-
doubtable Teddy himself made spectac-
ular dash across the continent in swift
flying train, and upon arriving in Chicago
took personal charge of his campaign.
There was deal of shouting around him,
and he Immediately made himself the
biggest frog in the puddle.
The first fight when the convention
assembled was over move OF the RooSe-
welt people to prevent the seating OF GER
tain contested delegates. This was ruled
out on point of order, Victor Rosewater,
acting chairman of the national committee,
presiding. Then the TAFT people put up
Senator Elihu Root, OF New York, as their
candidate for temporary chairman, the
Roosevelt supporters naming Governor
McGovern, OF Wisconsin. The TAFT men
elected Root by vote of 55S to SOP for
McGovern.
Yesterday was sensational day in the
convention. The Roosevelt meE put up
strenuous fight to deprive the contested
delegates from havinga voice in the Sc
lection OF the members of the credentials
committee, but were beaten by vote OF
564 to $40. The credentials committee
was organized by electing Taft man
chairman, and the committee has an am
pie majority OF Taft members. The
Roosevelt members bolted the commit
tee when they found that they could not
control it.
AT this writing, Thursday morning,
three things seem plain First, that Pres
ideat Taft has majority OF the delegates
and may possibly be nominated second,
that Roosevelt has but little chance OF the
nomination, and may bolt the convention /;
third, that there is liability that Cover
nor Hadley of Missouri, who seems to
be the most popular man with the dele
gates, may stampede the convention and
be nominated for President.
The West Virginia delegation has been
making itself seen and heard in Chicago
for the past week. II has been shouting
louder and longer for Roosevelt than any
other set of men in the convention.
Governor Gasscock was chosen as chair
man of the delegation, and William Sey-
mour Edwards was named as member OF
the national committee in place of former
Senator Scott. Governor Glasscock OPP
emily declared himself in favor OF boiling
the convention in case Roosevelt was
not given square deal, and is quoted as
being willing to 60 as far as any other
man in opposing the Taft plans for steal
ing the nomination.