The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-18

absolute power TO form a temporary
roll for this convention which can only
be changed by report from a COM
r1ittee OF this convention or whether
this convention itself shall say who
shall sit in it.
IF it is in the power of 81 men to
say who shall sit in this convention
ar bitrarily and without appeal then we
have reached the end of representative
government" A round of cheers greet
ed this attack on the national COM
mittee.
I'VE know but one government in
this country he said. Government
by political party.
IF a political convention can be con-
trolled by a group of men within the
party then have we Established politi-
cal oligarchy; then have we given a
few men control over party and con-
vention.''
Governor Hadley said he had ample
precedent for the action he demanded.
Hadley quoted as a precedent a de-
c1s1on of George F. Hoar,- of Massachu-
setts, presiding in the convention of
1880. who recognized a motion to
tuting delegates. This is the way this
question should be decided today"
shouted Hadley and the crowd cheered.
Cites a Precedent.
''I offer 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 to your attention the
statement of Senator Hoar at that
time that a motion to amend the tenn
porary roll was in order for consid-
GRAFTON and to be passed upon.
1--WE can not sit and close our ears
to what American people are saying
today continued Governor Hadley.
The integrity of this temporary roll
has been challenged by Is men on
the national committee whose sigma
lures have in my pocket saying that
gates not honestly elected by the Re
publican voters of the respective
states and territories.
"As long as we do not fairly dis
cuss this matter any man who goes
out of this convention with the nomi-
nation will bear a tainted nomination
and will neither deserve or receive the
support of the American people,
IT do not say that these charges
are true" said Hadley, ct sat in that
are true. But true or false, let US
meet them here. Let us see why 1 8
members of the committee believe
this vote fraudulent and void.
should not proceed to the regular
business until it has decided this
question, decided whether these
charges of corruptions are true. and
elected delegates"
Fort Takes the Stage.
Hadley closed and Governor Fort
of New Jersey took the stage.
There has never come before great
national convention of this great party
of ours a question of more vital inn
portance than the question you now are
called upon to determine. In $780, he
said, when a question was raised as
to the right of the convention to pass
on it's temporary roll, the convention
was declared to hold the power to de-
termine these questions"
Mr. Fort, as well as Governor Had
ley addressed his argument to the
delegates rather than to the chair He
did not get far in his argument before
the crowd began to laugh and inter-
rupt him with cries of sit down."
The New Jersey governor made the
mistake of answering the galleries
which clearly held a big preponderance
of Taft sympathizerS. (The Roosevelt
people claimed they were packed.)
Mr.. Fort was constantly in trouble
after that. That's right" he shout
ed. "Try to make a man sit down
when he is here fighting fraud
Fort said the convention had the
power to determine whether or not
the roll prepared for the convention
was such as the convention would ac-
cept.
''Sit down." shouted the galleries.
ct appeal to the members of this
to assert their manhood"
Fort shouted. II appeal to this con-
vention to assert its right and settle
for itself whether or not the roll call
shall be purged of the fraud that ev-
cry man believes to be in it,
Watson Yields to Payne.
Floor Leader watson of the Taft
forces then stepped to the front and
Welded ten minutes of time to Rerre-
sentative Payne of New York.
''This is a question of order in this
on one hand. said Payne,
"and possibly chaos on the other
How about the Payne tariff bill ?"
shouted a voice from the gallery, and
a cheer, mixed with jeers held up
Payne's talk for some time.
Mr.. Payne made historical arguments
to show that the convention could not