Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1912-08-04
HEARING The CONTESTS
PROVISIONAL Z ; mTTTE, COM.
POSED OF lNENPERIENCED
POLITICIANS Al WORK.
senator DIXON SPEAKS
Says Convention VIII be- "a positive
Demonstration" When 100
Men Get Together.

CHICAGO, Aug. 3,--The National
Progressive party emerged from its
swaddling clothes and got down 10
real political work today. The pro-
yisional national committee of the
new party began framing the tempo
rary roll for the convention that win
meet Monday.
Despite certain difference and mex.
reriencc, which made progress slow
the committee succeeded In settling
the question Of the representation Of
various territories and outlaying pos.
sessions, and heard arguments Of some
ccntesting delegations.
inexperienced Politicians.
Many of the men who worked to
shape the new political party today
we're far from experienced politicians.
and they approached their duties with
a sort Of timidity. There were some
81 of them representing various states.
They gathered In a small room in the
Headquarters hotel and went through
their labors in an atmosphere thick
with cigar smoke.
Senator Dixon OF Montana presided.
When he called the meeting to order
shortly after noon he made a rather
lengthy speech outlining The purpose
Of the gathering.
Deciding Contests.
The first contest taken up was that
II the Alabama delegation. Twelve
contested the delegations elected by
the progressive convention at Birming-
ham from the fourth. sixth and ninth
districts of the state. Oscar II. Humid.
ley. member of the national committee
appeared for the regular delegates and
Thomas for the negroes. 1t appear
ed that some 81 negroes who attended
the convention elected II contestants
after the regular convention had
named its delegates. The committee
did not vote on the Alabama cases
when arguments were concluded but
took up the Florida contests. Six ne
groes and one white man appeared as
the contesting delegation. They OPP
posed six white men chosen by a con-
vention called at Ocala by II. l.. An
derson member Of the national com
mittee. c. II. Aston "A negro, who ap-
peared for the contestants said tho
negroes had been barred from the
convention called by Anderson.
Won't Follow Negro Leaders.
Aston produced letter alleged to
have been written by Anderson in
which the latter urged that the ne
groes hold a sparate meeting at st.
Augustine.
Anderson admitted he endeavored
to keep the negroes out of the white
convention.
, 1T was necessary he said. my
experience in southern politics has
showed mo that white men will not
follow negro political leaders,"
No Georgia Contest.
When Anderson concluded. the COM
mittee called for an expected Georgia
contest. The contestants failed to
appear, but the committee was loath
to seat the delegates without giving
all possible opportunity for argument.
Finally on suggestion of Cecil Lyon.
the committee voted to place the dele
cation on the temporary call express
ly providing that any contestants
might appear without prejudice be-
fore the credentials committee.
Committeeman Lyon expressed his
anxiety that there be no suggestion OF
steam roller" tactics. This sentiment
was echoed by all present with eager
emphasis. -
Pleads for Negroes.
A contest from Mississippi was next
taken up. In presenting the claims
OF the negroes from that state. Perry
b HovNrd. a negro OF Jackson, ap-
realed to tho committee not to- dis
courage the 10000 negro voters OF
that state by refusing them recogni-
ton. Howard. who was delegate
to the regular republican convention,
took up the campaign. for Roosevelt
after the first call sent-out by Senator
Dixon. In this he met opposition
from b. F.. Fridge, who was picked
by Senator Dixon TO take UP the fight
for Roosevelt in Mississippi.
Howard contended he could lead
the negro vote In Mississloppi for
Roosevelt to the polls In November.
The negro problem was unsettled
at late hour.