Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-10-31

welfare of mankind.
For AZ minutes after mis- entrance
into crowded Madison Square Garden
Col. Roosevelt stood at the edge OF the
high perched speakers platform. I'M
able to make himself heard above the
din of cheers, songs and band music.
His gestures to the crowd for silence
served only to intensity the noise. and
when, after 20 minutes of cheering,
Col. Roosevelt made determined eff
fort 70 begin his speech, the immense
audience was swung off into another
period of cheering by the beginning of
the chant: 1--WE want Teddy" I'VE
want Teddy
Col Roosevelt refused to sit down
or to leave the rail that edged the
flimsly platform. Senator Dixon and
Gov Johnson urged him to be seated
but he maintained his standing posi-
tion throughout the entire demonstra-
ton, and when opportunity finally
came for him to begin his speech he
began it with a request to the police
to maintain order.
The attention and silence that greet
ed the address by Col Roosevelt We're
| as marked as the demonstration that
preceded it. At the first attempt to
interrupt with applause. the Presiden-
| tial candidate motioned imperatively
with his left hand for silence and he
accomplished this gesture with shake
Of the head which made the crowd
realize his desire to be allowed to
speak without interruption.
The immense Garden, covering d
city block, was crowded to it's doors
and throngs of persons were turned
away. Gov. Hiram Johnson, Progress
sive candidate for Vice President, and
Oscar Straus. candidate for Governor,
preceded Col Roosevelt.
GOV. johnson was still speaking
when Col Roosevelt was brought to
the hall. at 9:15 p NJ. The colonel had
rested at the home of his physician.
DIR. Alexander Lambert, for several
hours. Cheers in the street outside sig
nailed his approach and an answering
cheer from within the hall brought
Gov. Johnsons speech to an end.
As Col Roosevelt appeared at the
back of the platform men and women
jumped on chairs, waved bandannas,
flags and handkerchiefs and shouted
Roosevelt" Teddy" and other terms
of recognition. AS the demonstration
progressed the band broke in at inter-
walls with songs that the crowd sang
heartily to return to the cheering at
their conclusion.
A spot light that had been trained
throughout the early part of the eve
ming on a stuffed bull moose at one
end of the hall, was suddenly shifted
to Col. Roosevelt, bringing a boisterous
appreciation from the crowd.
Col. Roosevelt adhered to the text
of his prepared speech. His voice was
full and strong, penetrating to the eX-
treme corners of the ampitheater. His
right hand, because of the wound in
his right side, was scarcely moved in
gesture although he tapped it emphat-
icalfy several times upon the rail-
ing. He gestured vigorously with his
left arm throughout his speech. The
crowds about Madison Square Garden
were orderly, but the police exercised
extreme care to prevent any confusion
Six men were arrested during the eve
ming within and without the hall, for
refusing to obey the strict orders as
to open aisles and against over
crowding.
Col. Roosevelt. when he arrived. was
strongly guarded. and although the
flashlight men got a picture or two,
it was from distance, for no one was
allowed to approach when the colonel
left his automobile. He was escorted
into the building by way of a fire es-
cape on the 9th street side to the first
Balcony. From the landing there he
stepped inside to the rear of the
speakers platform. The same route
was followed when he left the build
ing and the streets were closely guard
, ed as he was driven away.
Roosevelt Reaches Home.
Oyster Bay. n. y. Oct. 3o.-Col.
Roosevelt reached his home here