Omaha daily bee., 1912-08-07
CHEER FOR MORE THAN HOUR
Flashlight Explosion Causes Blaze
and Some Excitement.
COLONEL FIRM IN HIS STAND
Flatly Resolved Not to Admit the
Southern Negro.
FRIENDS AGAIN TURNED DOWN
Negroes Who stood by Teddy When
He First Landed at Armageddon
Are Now Showed Into
Discard.

CHICAGO, Aug. 6.-The second DAYS
session Of the national progressive con-
vention was given over almost entirely
to Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, who In
addition to delivering his long waited
confession Of faith answered at some
length and with a great deal Of earnest
ness question as to his attitude on the
negro question. .a-- .....
The delegates cheered Colonel Roose-
welt for more than an hour when he ap-
peared suddenly and rather dramatically
upon the platform of the Coliseum.
The rafters fairly rang with the noise
of the demonstration.
While awaiting the colonel's arrival
most Of the delegates had Joined In an
impromptu song that they would follow
him wherever h eshould choose to lead.
This wa sthe spirit OF the reception ac-
corded the former president when he
the spirit with which his advanced ideas
Of progressiveness were received as fast
as they were uttered.
The session, however. wa snot without
its thrills. A Photographic flashlight ex-
plosion set fire to one of the smoke-re-
tanning bags hung among the decorations
above the crowded balcony and for time
there was nervousness which 1t was
feared might lead to a panic.
Temporary Chairman Beveridge and
Colonel Roosevelt called to everybody to
remain quiet and the band started to
play as two firemen climbed up into the
steel glrders of the roof. snatched the
bunting back from its place before the
flames reached the inflammable deco
ratons running along the entire gallery
and extinguished the fire.
This act was followed by distinct
sigh Of relief and a round Of cheers.
The doors of the convention hall had
been thrown open to the public after
Colonel Roosevelt reached the Coliseum
and the big Auditorium held one OF its
greatest crowds. The rush for places
was so great that the fire marshal soon
ordered the doors closed again.
There We're thrills too. when Colonel
Roosevelt was interrupted several times
with questions. The same spectator In
the galleries who Yesterday fired the
query at former Senator Beveridge de-
manded to know of the colonel what
about the liquor traffic?" The query
came at the close of the lengthy explana-
ton of the speakers attitude on the negro
question and Mr. Roosevelt received It
with distinct impatience.
AS the delegates were ylling shut up
and put him out" Colonel Roosevelt
waved his hand toward the man and said
"oh, go to primary school, or some
thing"
Then he added: LET me get along with
my speech"
There were cheers and cries Of you're
all right .s.-...
"And please" added the colonel 'let
this now be as much of monologue as
possible"
When the colonel had concluded the con-
vention proceeded at once to adopt the
report of the committee on credentials, and
also rule requiring that all resolutions
submitted from the floor be sent up to
the resolutions committee without debae.
Permanen organization was postponed
until tomorrow when the platform also Is
to be adopted and Colonel Roosevelt and
running mate nominated for president
and vice president on the new third party
ticket.
Fight Begins Early in Day.
The second day Of the convention
opened with well defined fight over the
negro question vieing for first interest
with Colonel Theodore Roosevelt's de-
livery of his confession of faith" to his
followers in the progressive cause.
Some of the delegates declared that the
elimination of the southern negro from
participation in the formation of the new
party had become the paramount issue
of the convention. Eastern negroes
Joined with their brothers from the south
In denunciation Of certain things that
CONTINUED on Page Two.)