The Washington herald., 1912-06-23

I op~y mn came 6, rev minutes later Wneu
roll call was ordered upon the adop-
ton Of the party platform. a document
read 70 the convention BY Vice President
Fairbanks When the State Of California
/ was called and Gov. Johnson announced
that the delegation declined to vote,
there was much cheering from the Roose-
veltianI A moment afterward when
Idaho's eight votes made Il apparent that
i the State would not bolt there was q yell
Of delight which became a tempest Of
enthusiasm. When Gov. Deneen's an
nouncenlent assured the convention that
only nine delegates IN Illinois would fol-
low Roosevelt on the whole, however. the
devotion TO Roosevelt was remarkable.
The entire State delegations from
Maine. Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jer-
ssy. South Dakota, and West virginia,
| followed the example OF California and
dehantly shouted that they were present
| and not voting. In other States Ike
Kansas. Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania,
Maryland. Michigan, North Carolina, and
Vermont the Roosevelt contingent stood
solidly by their defeated candidate. In
New York only i've Roosevelt delegates
remained hrms while Idaho. Illinois.
Iowa, North Dakota. and Wisconsin
| rarted from him. An instant hush fell
upon the vast assemblage as the names
Of the larger Republican Slater were
called and each announcement was heard
plainly IN the intense silence In all. 80
delegates refused to vote.
Cheers for Taft.
And then. after Senator La FoIlette's
manager. Walter L. Houssr. had informed
the convention that Senator La Toilette
would not support q platform which was
not thoroughly progressive. former
Lieut.. Gov. Warren 9. Harding. OF Ohio,
4
dent Taft brought the convention TO Its
climax The demonstration which followed
the mention OF the Presidents name
was tumultuous- Il gave renewed cour-
age to the friends Of the President. who
had been forced during the day 10 lis
ten to sneers and endure taunts. Its
spontaneous and uproarious character
was infectious and the thousands IN the
galleries Joined with the delegates on the
floor in the enthusiastic tribute to the
President. There were the usual scenes
OF frenzy and delight, eliminating IN
the thunder-like roar OF Tafts name
Il was evident, however, that this demon
stration angered the Roosevelt crowd. for
they hooted and howled at every pause
in GOV Harding's eulogy OF the President,
while at one time there was a fist fight
on the floor.
As GOV. Harding proceeded the disorder
whose splendid presiding qualities had
endeared him to his delegates, was COM
PEELED to step to the front Of the plat
form and make an earnest personal ap-
peal for order. Even he was interrupt
ed by whistle blowing and sarcastic
laughs II was with difhculty that the
gathering was restrained from becom-
ing an uncomfortable mob. AL the in
tensity OF feeling which has been i'm
- u~-Te
delegates and followers by ROosevelt's
own personal bitterness toward the Pres
ident found expression during Gov.
Hardings speech. Each eulOgistIc ref
erence had its echo in a groan and not
until another command had been stern
ly uttered by Senator Root did the
tumult in the convention subside.
Crowds HoOt Wanamaker.
John wanamaker. earnest and vigor-
Gus despite his seventy-lve years. Sec
onded Mr.. Tafts nomination. but he in
turn become the target Of the disorder
Iy and hostile Roosevelt minority in the
audience. More attention was paid to
Nicholas Murray Butler. who spoke elo-
quently in Mr Taft'B behalf. but even
he was constantly interrupted by shrlll
cries Of Teddy"
Roosevelt's name was not presented.
nor did Iowa respond with Senator Cum
Minis name. Senator La Toilette was
the only one Of the aspirants besides the
President himself when the delegates
were asked to support, but the utter fu-
tility OF the appeals in his behalf led
the vast throng to listen impatiently TO
the violent oratory o. the men who nom
mated him
Finally the roll was called Exactly
one hour and I'VE minutes elapsed before
il was concluded and the announcement
made. The intervening time was con-
sumed not in calling the roll. but in
queI incipient riots and calling indlyid-
uals' names so as to meet the challenges
made as TO the accuracy Of the an
nOuncements.
One for Taft in Maryland.
California. as usual, responded. Pres
ent. but not voting" but the votes Of the
two Taft delegates were, Of course, re-
corded. Maine was the first State TO
give no votes TO Taft. the entire delega-
ton being recorded in the nonvoting col
umn. In the Maryland delegation a ques-
ton arose among the members of the
delegation as to whether they were com
PEELED under the primary law Of their
State to cast their votes for some candi-
date. The individual roll was then called
and one delegate, Mr.. WRrbUrton, voted
for Taft.
There was almost a riot when Chair
man Root insisted that the delegates
at large from Massachusetts must either
vote or allow their alternates to vote
in their places Inasmuch as the former
were Roosevelt men and the latter were
Taft men there was q genuine disturb
ance IN the hall, one delegate shouting
angrily, I defy the convention to make
me vote for anybody" He did not vote
AS the roll call proceeded to other
States many OF the delegates took oc-
casion TO express their opinion in no
uncertain tones. One said that he did
not want TO vote at q funeral and an
other insisted that he would not vote
because the cards were stacked" There
were Kisses in the hall when the vote OF
the fourteen delegates seated from Wash
ington gave Mr.. Taft one over the reQui-
site majority.
The delegates allowed the call to bs
concluded without further interruption.
and when the result was announced
there was a yell that could have been
heard at Milwaukee.
DENOUNCES CONVENTION.