Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-09-12

Syracuse n. Y, Sept. G.-Oscar S.
Stratus, former secretary of commerce
and labor in the cabinet of President
Roosevelt, was unanimously acclaimed
the nominee FOR governor of the Pro-
gressve party by a stampeded conven-
ton this afternoon.
Mr.. Strauss nomination came about
under circumstances that We're not only
unexpected but dramatic. The former
cabinet member, acting as the conven-
tons permanent chairman, was about to
entertain n motion from former Lieut.
Governor Timothy L. Woodruff to eX-
peditc the roll Call on the nominations
of state Chairman VIM. II. Hotchkiss
and Comptroller William A. Prender-
CAST of New York for governor. when
a delegate from New York county leap
ID to his chair and demanded that he
be heard.
res 'Susrendcr Jack McGee," cried
voice from the gallery. Chairman
Straus looked puzzled. MCGEE, who got
his name in the Indian country by rid
ing broncho into camp with suspenders
used as reins. moved resolutely toward
the platform.
'They ray I'm crazy. but know what
| am doing" he cried as he swung w
the platform steps.
Chairman Straus looked with SUI
prise on the man who with a flaming
bandana swathcI around his neck
and his coat blazing with badges
tossed his rough rider hat on the floor
and demanded the right to make a
nomination.
.'TEAtS ALLOWS \ HEARING.
Whom do you wish to nominate. -
asked Chairman Straus. but McGeo
gave only "A meaningless shake of his
head while the delegates, irritated at
what they deemed only an Interrupt
ton at a moment when the convent M
was about to lock arms on vote col
Prendergast and IIotchkiss, cried Put
his out" But MCGEE stuck to his pur
pose ana in husky voice insisted OF
speaking
you may have but FIVE minutes
said Mr.. Straus impatiently glancinG
at his watch.
II want ten" insisted MCGEE.
Delegates and spectators booed an
jeered as he began to speak. There
was general laugh when he crie
III name a man the mention OF whose
name will bring tears of sympathy &c
the eyes of almost every man and
woman In the civilized land" but "Sus
pender Jack" only waved his arm ir
defiance Of the jeers.
Chairman Straus turned to Mr. Chad
bourne. who had placed Mr.. Hotchkis
in nomination. and asked: What does h,
mean to do?"
Chadbourne. too, was non-plussed ant
thought the speaker might be perpetratini
some joke. Then came the climax whei
a delegate cried: Name your man."
MCGEE paused but a moment and thei
cried:
II nominate the illustrious and Hon
Oscar s. Strauss"
PANDEMONIUM FOLLOWS.
The delegates seemed stunned and thei
n few of them cheered. Mr.. Straus CAV,
an amused laugh at "Suspender Jack
bowling before him. MCGEE kept on will
his speech and the first few faint cheer
from the half dozen or more delegate
gradually grew into pandcmonium o
sound that swept the convention hal
from one end to the other. The standard
were wrenched from their supports AM
delegate yelling and cheering for Chair
man Straus, paraded the aisles,
All was confusion In the hall
Chairman Straus at first shook hi
head deprecatingly at the growing ova
ton. He turned to his friends ant
remarked This must not be. can
not accept" State Chairman Hotch
kiss left his seat among the delegate
and rushed to the platform. piacinl
his hands on Mr.. Strauss shoulder
and said: You must accept. you mus
accept All the delegates are for you.
Meanwhile there was press o
delegates to the platform to urge MI
Straus to make the decision. Thel
Mr.. Hotchkiss burst from the grou
that surrounded Mr.. Straus and nel
up before the crush Of excited dele
gates In the aisle ways a sheet Of vel
low paper on which was written: III
accepts" Whereupon the delegate
and spectators passed back the wor
OF Mr.. Strauss acceptance and anothe
demonstration followed.
OTHER CANDIDATES WITHDRAW.
| Chairman Hotchkiss asked the privileg
| Of the convention to act as permanent
chairman In place of Mr. Straus. Tn
nomination of Mr.. Hotchkiss for governo
was Withdrawn by John A. Kingsbury
who moved to make Mr.. Strauss nomina
| ton unanimous. But there were othe
delegates who demanded to be heard an
Mr.. Woodruff said that in the absence q
Mr.. Prendergast he would take It upo
himself to withdraw his name and IN d
Ing so he felt that Mr. Prendergast woul
concur In his action. With the names @
Mr.. Prendergast and Mr.. Hotchkiss with