The Calumet news., 1912-06-18
BATTLE LINES
HOLDING firm
Warning Forces Gather In Colise-
UNI Ready to Gain Every
Possible Advantage
" Taft Is Named Many Believe Present
Vice President Will Be
Nominee.

Chicago. June lS.--The warning Taft
and Roosevelt forces gathered at the
Coliseum today for the opening Of the
Republican national convention with
hattie lines on both sides firm. The
atmosphere was electric with bitter
ness and personal animosity.
Roosevelt and his advisers, through
resolution fathered by the Illinois
delegation, proposed to eliminate from
the poll on the temporary organization
those votes challenged by Roosevelt.
Every effort was made to have Me-
Kinley Tafts manager. agree to this.
hut the Taft manager gave IT little en-
couragement pointing out It is opposed
tc all precedent
Conservative Roosevelt men coun-
seled against the proposition, urging in
stead hard fight on every point. This
was the situation when the i,07S deie-
gates assembled i'm the liagbedecked
convention hail.
The throng gathered early and walt
ed patiently the sound OF >tLe chair
mans gavel not knowing what the
day might bring forth, but hoping for
peace and harmony.
Policemen at every corner. every
door and every aisle, were the distin =.
guishing feature of the scene in the
Coliseum in the early hours. Nervous
tension due TO the general expccta-
tion of tumutuous scenes. from the
drop of the hat at the opening Of the
convention. was apparent on all sides.
rhe police were as nervous as any
body else, and assistant sergeant-at-
arms and other subordinate officials SO
keenly alive TO the possibilities that
their hands trcmbled as they took
tickets. and holders of proper paste
lcards had difficulty in getting in. The
doors opened at 10 o'clock. two hours
before the convention was called to
order There was a great crowd OUT
side. but the police kept thcm moving
and allowed no one TO enter without
the right kind of tickets. Ry 1880
there was a good sprinkling Of people
in all sections.
When the California delegation
arrived. twenty-six Roosevelt men
took seats. Governor Johnson said
he did not know where ths Taft men
were and that California was twenty
six for Roosevelt despite the national
committee.
In the convention hall a big hat In
the ring mounted on pole, was
carried into the hall by the Texas
.t ~ "a =
tion. The first real az 'lause came
when former vice President Fairbanks
entered, with James Il. Watson OF IN
diana, a Taft leader. The two Tat'
delegates from California were unable
to reach the seats of that states dele
CATION but found places with the Alas-
ka men.
The New Jersey delegates came III
with Roosevelt song. From all parts
Of the hall rival calls burst forth Inc
music of the band was drowned Ut
ciies of well drilled delegations. rhe
band swung into Dixie and the Iai'
negro delegates from Florida climbed
up on chairs and sang. AS the song
concluded they shouted a. yell of cen"
unce at the Roosevelt delegates IRON
New Jersey, seated across the asie
A moment lhter the Jcrseyites return
cd the veil as the band struck vi
Marching Through Georgia
e. J. Lampson Of Ohio, reading cierf
OF the house of representatives ans
associate parliamentarian for the con
vention, and official stenograpne''
were at their places early.
By i1.3O the seats I'm the hall were
well nlled. but the crowd was unusua'
" quiet. At 1i:15, Chairman rose
water Of the national committee ap'
peared on the stage.
1t was stated just before the COZ
vcntion met that the roll call on 'n'
election OF temporary chairman WI
bc by individuals, and not by s,a'es
This will be In acceptance WI"
precedent established In 1884.
The convention was called To orue
at 1902.
AS the delegations entered. cheering
for their favorites. excitement oes"'
to manifest itself. At 1902 Rose"a"'
began pounding for order. The cohi"
sion was so great that police were y"
among the delegates to restore orus'
While an effort to secure oruer Ma
being made the Wisconsin deies"uo'
entered. and their La Toilette pa'"e
received cheers
silence was secured at l2;l9 ~
soon as quiet was restored Rev ~