The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-07
1908 as The regular or Thompson

faction"
Mr.. Fundley charged that the Long
or Taf. delegates had been chosen at
the cJnyrntion of August, 1911, which
was illssal. he said, so far as the se-
lection CT national delegates was con-
cerned. State Chairman Thompson,
he said mad been elected in 1908 for
four y"frs ana could not be super
seded except by the election of a sue
cessor by regula Republican state
convenu, in Alabama called by the
state committee.
Mr.. Hundley declared that such a
regular convention never had been
called. Mr.. Thom pson called a state
convention for May IL, 1912" said Mr.
HundIey. "and tina convention select
ed the Re osevelt or Thompson set of
delegates to the Chicago convention"
The Roo evelt attorneys declared the
convention of August 81. 1911, at
elected state chairman, resulted from
an agreement with President Taft to
settle questions of patronage.
The action of the eRpublican ma
t1onal committee at its meeting in
Washington last December in declar-
ing illegal the Long delegates Sc
lected at the August 81 convention
also invalidated all other acts of that
convention, including the selection of
Colonel Long as state chairman" Mr.
HundIey contended.
The Roosevelt attorney claimed
that Mr. Thompson, in an effort to
avoid the contest at Chicago, pro-
posed to Mr.. Long a state primary
Long would not agree.
Committeeman Ask Questions.
Senator Borah. Senator Penrose and
Frank B. kellogg interrupted fire.
quently with questions as to regular |
ity of the Thompson convention of |
May II, 1912, and as to the number |
of members of the Republican state |
committee who Joined with Mr.. /
Thompson nj calling that convention. !
rs there any law in Alabama regu- |
lating the election of a state COM
mittee?" asked F. B. Kellogg.
No" replied Mr.. Hundley.
Did not Mr.. Thompson in July. |
1911, call a convention to settle local |
affairs? %
Yes"
WAS there anything to prevent the
selection of new state committee at
that convention?"
Hundley replied no, but that the |
conventions action had been invali-
dated by the call of the Republican
national committee issued in Wash
ington last December.
Mr.. Hundley admitted a majority of |
the old Thompson committee had an
swered the call of Pope NJ. Long, the |
new chairman for the committee. at
which the delegates were elected.
The Long, or Taft side. began it's
argument at 1895 a. M, o. d. Street
of Guntersville, Ala, taking the floor.
The Taft Claims.
August, 1911, Republican factions in
Alabama came togeth- in a conven-
ton under suggestion from President
Taft to compromise long-standing diff
ferences. The convention, it was
selected Pope NJ ! ons, state
chairman, superseding ]. o. Thompson,
and selected six delegates-at-large to
the Republican national convention.
When the Republican committee met
IN Washington, December. 1911, it in
had taken place prior TO its meeting.
state Chairman Long called another
in Birmingham, March Z,
1912, and the delegates-at-large were
reelected in conformity with the ma
tiCnal committees official call
Later, Senator Dick claimed Mr..
Thompson, the former chairman issued
another call for a separate convention
at which the contesting delegates-at-
arge were chosen.
After Col. Roosevelt announced his
7andidacy for the presidency" he said, II
Mr.. Thompson repudiated the written
agreement he had entered into a year
ago. pretended that the entire proceed
ngs of the convention held in August,
1911, were illegal and void and pre-
tended to call together the old state I
committee of which he had been chair ,
nan. These members of the old COM |
nittee out Of total of Al responded
10 his call. The Taft delegates at
arge were elected by a state convention
'alled by the new state committee of
which Pope NJ Long is chairman
There could be no question about tbs. :
egality of their election"
When the Taft side took up the ar
sument, o. D. Street charged that MI.
thompson had signed d written agree ,
nent to abide by the action of the state !
of August 81 1911 when :
he convention met" said Street, Mr. {
thompson called it to order. There was
10 protest from anywhere" {
The Long committee chosen by the I
convention was recognized by all fac
ions he said, when the Republican
national committee invalidated the Sc
ection of national delegates made by
ne August convention held March Z,
sI2, at which the Long delegates were {
reelected.