The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-21
Alabama Case First Taken Up

taS iiHA dlaO
 Alabama Case First Taken Up
 The Alabama case. the contest over the Ninth district. first was taken up. oscar F. Hundley presented the Roosevelt case, claiming the Taft members of the district committee had bolted and organized "an incorrect or illegal" quota.
 Alr. Halbert's persistent demand for a delay terminated in a motion to adjourn for 15 minutes. This was overwhelming ly defeated and Chairman Devine then ordered the sergeant at arms to compel Mr. Halbert to take his seat
 The latter did so reluctantly.
 William Film, new national committee man from Pennsylvania. and one of Rooseyelt's $ chief lieutenants in the nomi- nation fight, confirmed early that he had left the regular organization after the all night conference with Roosevelt lead CTS '1 am done with that old side," he said That's all there is to it.'
 H. ". Wassom, a Finn lieutenant, was chosen to succeed him.
 Mir Hundley protested against the pres ence as member of the committee of Alexander J. Birch of Alabama, who had participated before the Alabama argu- ments. Mr. Birch said he would not con- test the case nor vote at this time. MT. Mccormick of Illinois who came into the
 
 other man to represent him during the day. This was granted after it was made clear that only a delegate to the national convention elected from the member $ own state could come in on such a proxy. The first contest taken up by the cre- dentials committee, the Ninth Alabama, involved the control of the district com mittee. Roosevelt men claimed the Taft forces had bolted The latter claimed of fla committee and the Roosevelt men had used an un- authorized resignation of Taft member in order to fill his place.
 Under the rule admitting new evidence the Roosevelt attorney succeeded in in- troducing an affidavit from the Taft sec retary of the District of Columbia to show the Taft men had been .bolters."
 Want Rule Observed
 After two hours debate on the Alabama case members of the committee began to demand that the rules be observed. Under the rules this case would have occupied but half an hour. Taft leaders on the case declared they proposed to let full discussion be had on all cases, since charges of 'gag rule" had been raised against them.
 Roosevelt members of the credentials committee agreed at a conference at
 
 and Washington cases, IS delegates in all. They declared these were the most im- portant cases. The agreement was made in the hope of shortening the committee sessions.
 The total number of contests involved in the Hadley resolution was 72, and in- cluded also 22 delegates from Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky. Michigan and Ten nessee. The prospect of holding the na- fAp a while these were considered induced Roosevelt men to agree to abandon the last group and center their fight on the others.
 MT. Halbert stated that seven or eight Roosevelt men had agreed to the plan and that 1t would be formally presented to the convention.
 Taft Men Seated
 Motion to seat the Taft delegates was made by Estabrook of New Hampshire, and the substitute to seat the Roosevelt men by Avis of New Jersey. No exhibi- tion of feeling was shown by the de- feated advocates of the Roosevelt resolu- .tion.
 Those voting for the Roosevelt dele gates were: Illinois, R. R. Mccormick; Kansas, Ralph Harris. Maine. Jess M Libby; Minnesota, Hugh T. Halbert; Ne DIdSkds II, IT, odNhtlls ANtH StNf 1- Boyd Avis; Missouri, Jess Tollerton North Carolina, C. H. Cowles; North Da- kota, W. S. Dauder; Ohio. John J. Sulli- van; Oklahoma, Daniel Norton; oregon, A. " Swift Pennsylvania, Lex N. Mitch ell; West Virginia, Harry Shaw. s The Roosevelt absentees were: Francis J. Heney, California;; E. G. Darlington, Jr, Delaware; $. X. Way, South Dako- ta The committee then seated the two Taft delegates from the Ninth Alabama district by a record vote of 3f to IS. Re cess was then taken until 2:so D. m.
 Arizona Cases Up
 The credentials commmittee reconvened at 2:30 D. m. with S6 members present Francis J. Heney was again absent The contest over the seating of the six dele gates at large from Arizona was taken up The presentation of the Arizona con test followed closely the line of argument made before the national committee early last week Former Gov Joseph II. Kib- bey, representing the Roosevelt delegates, told of the double state convention J. C. Taft for the Taft delegates, who were seated by the national committee, de- clared the Roosevelt men. who were in the minority in the convention, rushed upon the stage and attempted to break up the session.
 "Our convention was the only regularly organized convention held in Arizona" " he said.
 No limit has been imposed thus far upon argument or cross examination The proceedings were characterized by entire outward harmony between Taft and Roosevelt adherents. Roosevelt men de- clared the credentials committee's report would be ready by II a. m. to morrow.
 The Arkansas case represented two con- ventions, both claiming to be regular. Gen Powell Clayton appeared with tho Taft contestants James A. Conner repre- sented the Roosevelt contestants and Wal lace Townsend the Taft delegates.
 Townsend declared Conner and w. s. Holt represented "the whole Roosevelt movement in Arkansas" He declared they had gone through that state stirring up false and baseless contests in the in- terests of Colonel Roosevelt.
 Taft Delegates Seated
 The six Taft delegates at large from Arizona were seated by the credentials seat the Roosevelt delegates was defeated by the same vote.
 A motion to seat all delegates in Arkan- sas except those in the Fifth district was carried by a vote of 3i ayes, no nays, 14 not voting.
 The two Taft delegates from the Fifth Arkansas distvict were seated by the ere dentials committee. A motion to seat the Roosevelt delegates was defeated 31 to II.
 Roosevelt Men Do Not Appear
 The Californit case, over which a bitter fight was expected, was caled but the Roosevelt attorneys and delegates did not appear. MT Halbert of Minnesota, said the Roosevelt men were willing to have