Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-08-08

Chicago, Aug. 5.-Governor Hiram
". johnson of California seemed
agreed upon tonight as the vice.
presidential nominee of the national
progressive party to make the first
fight Of the new political organization
with Colonel Theodore Roosevelt.
Early in the evening Judge Ben B.
Lindsey of Denver, a former democrat.
had been agreed upon as permanent
chairman of the convention. Colonel
Roosevelt lac endorsed the recon-
mendation Of Judge Lindsey. and the
plan had been enthusiastically APP
proved by the delegates.
Late tonight. however. Judge Lind
sey called on the colonel and had a
long talk with him He said he had
been suffering from asthma n did
not feel physically capable of taking
up the work. Under the circumstances
Colonel Roosevelt he asked to re-
lease him and while 1t had not been
finally decided. 1t was said to be likely
that Senator Albert j. Beveridge of
Indiana. the temporary chairman,
would be continued as the permanent
presiding officer.
Colonel Roosevelt said before he left
Oyster Bay that he favored the selection
of a southern democrat as the vice-presi.
Dental candidate. The field was canvass
ed carefully by the leaders of the new
party and 1t is understood that the Col
onels suggestion was abandoned only
when it became evident that it was i'm
possible to decide upon an available man.
1t was said tonight that sentimen,
among the delegates in favor of Cover
nor Johnson was so strong that his choice
as Colonel Roosevelt's running mate was
virtually assured and that the leaders
who predicted his nomination were mere
L. voicirg the opinion of the convention.
IN the event of Governor Johnson's nom-
nation. II is planned to rave him take
the stump in the East while Colonel
Roosevelt is campaigning through the
West.
STORMY TWO HOURS FOR T. r.
When Colonel Roosevelt reached Chica.
go this morning he put in a stormy two
hours before he succeeded in %straighten
ing out the tangle over the contestine
negro delegates from the South.
The Florida and Mississippi cases
which had not been ruled upon by thu
provisional national committee, were
placed before him in detail and It devel
oped that there was a sharp differenc,
OF opinion In the Roosevelt camp. A mum
Der of his northern supporters told hin
frankly that they disapproved Of the pol
icy Of barring all negro delegates from
the South.
1t was urged that such a position would
cost the national progressive ticket tn,
support OF a large number of negroes II
northern States in which their strength
was greatly needed. Others of Colone
Roosevelts supporters felt that In fair
ness to the negroes they should have
some representation from the South.
Colonel Roosevelt stood his ground. Ir
answer to every objection he said that he
would cling u~nequivocally to the position
he had taken, and that, although 1t nigh,
cost him votes in the northern States, he
believed 1t was to the best interests of the
party to proceed under white Leadership
In the South.
1t Is understood that Colonel Roosevelt
suggested the action in the Florida and
Mississippi cases subsequently taken by
the national committee.
The Mississippi negroes were thrown out
completely on the ground that the white
uei0SdteS were regularly electeQ.
BOTH SETS THROWN OUT.
In the Florida cases the contesting ne
gro delegation was thrown out. The ne
groes protested loudly against this. The,
were invited to attend the convention al
supplemental delegates" without votes
but declined to do this, eventually goint
as spectators" The national COMMITTEES
decided to bar also white delegates from
Florida. there having been some ques
tion Of irregularity in calling a white ant
q negro convention separately.
Colonel Roosevelt insisted that Their,
should he nc negro delegates from tn
South in the convention and the commit
tee acquiesced in his views.
The first session Of the first convention
Of the new national progressive party, o
which Colonel Theodore Roosevelt i
sponsor, was held in the Coliseum TO
day, and while the setting was ATTENDED
by all OF the usual ceremony anG
paraphernalia Of a national politica
gathering. the actual proceedings wer
suggestive Of a love Feast.
Not a dissenting voice was raised dur
Ing the session. The question Of negr,
representation from the South had cause'
friction earlier In the day in the nationa
committee. but there was no echo OF thi
fght on the floor of the convention, Tn
delegates were at times explosive in thei
enthusiasm. Many of the State delegation
came into the hall singing and shouting
in their delight at the birth OF the ney
party. and three hours later left the build
ing in the same happy frame OF mind.
MACHINERY WORKS SMOOTHLY.
Although green hands were supposed t.
be at the helm, the machinery OF the con
vention worked smoothly and efficiently
There was no roll call of delegates blu
the delegate section Of the floor. arrang
ed in the same manner as at the repub
lican national convention a few week
agO and accommodating nearly LOO peo
pie, was nearly filled. The alternate sec
ton also had its full quota. There wa
not the same crush of spectators to-da!
as ri the republican gathering, but wheI
the proceedings began the galleries ha'
few empty seats. The convention leader
were enthusiastic tonight over the show