The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-04-11
TAFT FORCES WON
BY MAJORITY
OF SIXTY
Spectacular State Convention
at Montpelier Yesterday
WAS ONE BIG UPROAR
Gathering However Was Wholly Good
Natured and No Hard Feeling
Developed Between Factions

OF the eight Vermont delegates to
the Chicago convention OF the repub-
lican party two district delegates will
90 instructed for Taft and two for
ROOSEVELT The four delegates at
large are unpledged, although the
state convention yesterday Endorsed
President Taft's administration and
all four delegates expressed per
sonal desire for his denomination.
The platform condemns the princip-
les OF recall of judges and of decis-
ions advocated by Col. Roosevelt.
The suggestion OF popular review
of the decisions OF the court in
particular case is declared TO be "a
subtle and dangerous attempt upon
the foundation OF free government IL
self" Two OF the delegates were
chosen without opposition and the
other two after spirited contests be-
tween the Taft and Roosevelt forces,
in which the Taft majorities were ga
and SO, respectively. The Vermont
delegation to Chicago will be as fol-
lows: Delegates at large: United
states Senator Carroll s. Page OF
Hyde Park, j. Gray Estey Of Brattle-
boro John L. Lewis OF Troy, Gov.
John A. Mead OF Rutland, uninstruct-
ed; list district, William P. Warren
OF Vergennes, }. l.. Southwick OF
! Burlington, instructed for TAFT; I'd
district, h. w. Gibson OF Brattleboro,
Frank D. Thompson of Barton, in
structed for Roosevelt.
The alternates chosen at the state
convention we're Joseph 7. Stearns OF
Burlington, Leighton p. Slack OF St
Johnsbury, Orlando L. Martin OF
Plainaeld and Newman X Chaliee OF
Rutland. Chairman Williams Of the
republican state committee and the
principal TAFT leader In Vermont said
last night that while the delegates at
large were uninstructed, he was sure
they would vote for President Taft
John l.. Lewis, a delegate at large
who with Senator Page, was chosen
unanimously, said that all four were
favorable to the denomination of the
president.
No opposition developed to the
selection OF United States Senator
William T. Dillingham; as chairman
at the opening of proceedings. and
for half an hour the convention lis
tened TO an eloquent exposition Of
republican principles, in which many
former presidents were mentioned
and the names of Roosevelt and Taft
omitted The convention was a very
noisy one and the proceedings were
frequently interrupted by boots, yells
changing OF cOwbells and cheering By
both the delegates and spectators
After Senator Page was nominated
unanimously there was a contest fol-
second place between J. Gray Estey
of Brattleboro and Henry L. Ballou
OF Chester. who was brought forward
by the Roosevelt forces. Prolonged
applause followed the announcement
that Estey had won $40 TO 800, Will,
the vote was being counted the Tafi
and Roosevelt forces forgot their diff
lerenoes In the unanimous indorse
ment OF Mr.. Lewis, one of the Roose
welt leaders presenting his name
The second fight OF the day broke
out IN the selection OF the fourth del
egate, This contest was between Gov
John a. Mead and DR.. Jesse Il
/, Thompson, both OF Rutland and botl
physicians GOV. Mead with the Tai
forces behind him. won by a vote oil
S5S to S0j. The convention ther
adopted a platform which included q
memorial on the death of Congress
man Foster aud an Endorsement OF
President TAFT with references to the
.ariff and several other republican is
sues. The platform was adopted by
a voice vote, although the Roosevelt
leaders protested stoutly and asked
for a ballot. Chairman Dillingham;
decided against them. Senator Town
send OF Michigan closed the proceed
Ings with a speech indorsing Presi
dent Taft.
Several seconding speeches were
made by the Bennington county dele
gates. Edward L. Bates seconded
Hon. c. 5. Page: w. H. Berry second
cd Col J. Gray Estey; Hon. j. G.. Nc
Cullough seconded Col Estey; Frank
. | c. Archibald seconded Hon. John l.
Lewis and also Governor John A
Mead. NJ. j. Hapgood seconded DR.
IT, r. Thompson. Senator Archibald's
speech socondIng Governor Mead
was one OF the best OF the conven
ton Owing to the uproaN made by
the rival factions only a man with O
strong voice could make himself
heard. Fine pominatlng speeches
were made by w. h. Hubbard oil
Brattlcboro In naming j Gray Estey
, and by Rev. Frazer Metzger in nam
ing Or ]. r. Thompson.
The convention was uproarloul
from start to finish but was good ma
( tured throughout In spite OF the tens,
1 feeling OF the rival camps. Senator
, Dlllingham's speech was splcndi,
E address aud exactly fitted to th'
occasion. lie carefully refrainet
from anything that would arouse bit
terncss. lie told OF the achieve
ments of the Republican party an,
. OF the importance OF supporting thl
party principles regardless OF thl
lesser differences due 20 rival opln
p ions aud varying candidates. Sena
iisor Dillingham; was warmly applaud
rtNd and both before and after the con
, vontion was given an ovation by thl