New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-19
NOT ASOLTTARYHOMICIDE,,
WALLS SAMUEL G. BLYTHE.
Republican Convention as Non-Sangulnary as
Pie Social, He Tells The Tribune
Texan, Lips Lacerated by Bottle
Only Man Hurt,
BY SAMUEL G.. BLYTHE.

Chicago. June 1s.-Much TO the regret
Of some thousands Of bloodthirsty spec
tstors there wasn't solitary homicide
AT the first session Of the convention
Not = drop of blood was spilled, except
in the case Of the Texas delegate who
tried 10 bite the top off a bottle of beer
and LIBERATED one Of his lips. OtherW.se
sn was as non-sanguinary as a pie
social.
Early in the proceedings it Was ciedrl}
apparent the anti-Taft people had
changed their reported tactics, and in
stssd Of numbering and otherwise mat
treating the Taft men had decided on "A
more lingering hut Just as effective,
manner OF disposing of them, which was
TO talk them TO death. The Taft men
resented this 10 some extent and talked
back. And, although some Of the dele
gates grew groggy under the fierce YER
bal assault, not one succumbed. nor did
any spectator gel anything worse than a
headache.
Viewed as d CORY spectacle as an IN
carnsdined illustration Of the lengths 10
which earnest men will go to obtain the
rights and protect the plain people in
those equities guaranteed to them under
the Constitution and by Francis !.
Heney. the first DAYS proceedings were
. distinct disa ointment.
Hsdleys Missouri politsness.
Indeed, it was plainly apparent early in
he
Roosevelt Foor leader. SO far from kick
ing the minute Chairman Rosewater in
the shins had naught else in mind than
so treat him with scrupulous Missouri
roliteness, and that Chairman Rose
water. in turn, intended TO he courteous
even chvalric, in his dealings with Gov
crnor Hadley.
Nor We're any guns pulled nor knives
displayed. Two or three hundred police
men stood around and yawned their
heads off, and the amazing collection of
assistant serseants-at-arms spent most
Of their time borrowing cigarettes from
one another OF proudly contemplating
their nifty badges.
Incited by the dire predictions Of death
and disaster that had been scattered
abroad, the populace, as represented BY
those who had pull enough 10 get tickets,
came early 10 the hail and resolutely
turned down their thumbs as evidence
that they neither desired nor would allow
quarter. They expected riot to start
at the moment the flashlight picture was
taken. and in sense they were graft
fed, for riot did start-a riot Of COR
versation and so-cslled oratory. But
that was all. There wasn't leaf stir
ring in the killing line. Not a gun
harked nor was head cracked. All
went as decorous as an intercollegiate
debate.
There were presidents instead of pro-
jectiles. allocution instead of assault.
The barking being particularly good, the
speakers harked back to the days o.
John c. Fremont and dwelt with great
declamatory effect on the convention
that nominated Abraham Lincoln, in
1864
They also harked back and haTked for
ward in other regards FOR an almost in
that had happened In former Republican
national conventions, and the spectators
cheered and jeered alternately, cha
grined, of course because there was no
gore, but out for a holiday, and, in a
spirit Of true American adaptability >
circumstances. accepting language AZ
lieu If LAMBDA sting SO the crowd hal a
good time. the speakers had good time
and all passed off pleasantly, as vas cX-
pected. Notwithstanding the alarming
advance notices.
Finds One Terrifying Feature.
There was one terrifying feature, how
ever. that brought sudden chills to the
hearts Of those present Oh various coca
sions. Numerous Of the orators, finding
themselves AZ loss to proceed because
OF the clamor for action on the part of
the delegates and spectators cruelty
threatened TO stay there all GUNNER I'M
less they were allowed TO continue speak
ing
This frightful threat had instant effect
each time II was used. Unable 10 face
his dread alternative. the crowd always
lapsed into silence and permitted the
rlatitudinous partisans to perorata,
sped them n their seats with brief ap-
rlsuse, and demanded . vote while the
next man vas preening himself for his
orstoricsl flight
Presently the announcer himself
showed some mercy. He megaphoned to
tbs tired delegates and the tireder spec
tstors that there would be but three or
four more short speeches and that the
vote on the selection Of a temporary
chairman would be taken This brought
cheer to listess thousands. and the re
naming spelbnders wove what spells
they could arid genial liberation.
u was early observed that the anti
Taft delegates had been instructed to
watch Hadley. They had been told 10 do
what Hadley did. And they followed in
structions implicitly If Hadley had be-
gun turning handsprngs there is no
doubt the anti-Taft delegates would have
engaged simultaneously IN the same
pleasing acrobatic exercise
Hadiey. suitably attired in long frJok
coat and wearing an air Of tense ear
nestness and devotion to duty, clam
bered on the stage at the exact moment
Tie gavel fell. which was noon He was
followed by James Watson, Of Indiana,
former Republican whip Of the House
o. REPRESENTATIVES who wore q iigbt