Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-06-14
OKLAHOMA CONTEST
DECIDED FOR 1AF1
NATIONAL COMMITTEE UNsEATs
TWO DISTRICT DELEGATES
PLEDGED TO ROOSEVELT.
REGULAR CONVENTION
SELECTIONS DISPLACED
pelssatss Chosen BY Rump Convention
Seated After Roll Call Had Been Re-
fussd-Fist Fight Between Okla
homans Takes Place in Front Of Ma
tio3al Committees Room.

tioqaI Committees Room.
Chicago, June 14.-Nearly two hours
of acrimonious argument at the fore
noon session of the republican nationa
committee today had as its net results
the transfer of two delegates from s
single Oklahoma district, the Third
from the contested" to the Taft col
umn. The issue hinged upon the reg
ularity Of rival conventions held al
Tulsa, the Roosevelt delegates appear
ing as contestants. A roll call was re-
fused, the decision being made by viva
voce vote.
Taft Claims Without Merit.
A. A. Davidson, appearing for the
Roosevelt contestants, said the ques-
ton as to which set of delegates should
be seated hinged on the legality of the
two conventions held at Tulsa on the
same day. With majority of del
egates declared for Roosevelt, he said
the convention was held according to
the call. Sixteen of the nineteen coun-
ties were represented by 361 delegates
declared Mr.. Davidson.
The Taft faction hasn't even q
technicality to stand upon," he said
Realizing a majority Of the voters
were for Roosevelt the Taft men de-
cided to hold a convention Of their
own. They went to a place not desig-
mated in the call. We sent a photo
grapher to take picture of their con-
vention but the photographer was
kicked out. In their convention only
10 persons, including spectators, were
present"
The TAFT Side.
Joseph H. Gill, heading the Taft DEL
egation. declared that Just before the
committee met at Tulsa on March IA
the committee "deposed" as Chairman
w. A. Concran, who favored Roose-
welt, because Of his arbitrary and ir.
regular rulings and because he had
changed his residence and was nc
longer member Of the committee
Six other Roosevelt men were also ex-
cluded because their proxies were not
acceptable, he said.
The boilers proceeded to hold a
convention in the opera house contrary
to the official CALL" delcared Mr.. GIL.
Ihis meeting had no temporary roll
OF delegates prepared by the commit
tee and had no credentials from the
several counties"
Roll Call Refused.
Mr.. McHarg asserted his right IN
make statement presenting evidence
OF the veracity Of his witness. Chair
man Rosewater declared he should
have presented his evidence during his
time for argument, but Mr.. McHarg
proceeded to make a statement to the
committee
The two Taft delegates, Joseph A..
Gill OF Vinita. and James w. Gilliland,
OF Holdenville, were then seated by
the committee, after a motion to seat
the Roosevelt delegates had been de-
feated
Senator Borah asked for roll call
on the Roosevelt motion but it was re-
fused. The Taft delegates were seated
without roll call, the Roosevelt men
voting mo"
A Question Of vsraeity.
The question involved was as to
which OF the two conventions in Tulsa
complied with the call. Francis J..
Heney. holding a proxy. asked Mr.. Gill
whether 1t was the custom to desig-
nate the place at which the convention
was to be held. Mr.. Gill replied that
in this instance the Taft adherants
had not so designated place The
Roosevelt attorneys contended that a
place for holding the convention had
been fixed.
"This seems to be question Of
said Senator Borah. "Have
you any documents on either side to
prove your statements"
Ormsby McHarg, the Roosevelt con-.
test attorney, started to tell what he
thought was the "best evidence Of
when A. M. Stevenson Of
Denver, holding the proxy of Commit,
teeman Barker. OF Alamaba, objected
time had expired"
Hsnsy EnIivsns Proceedings.
The committee enjoyed a minutes
Senator Borah said Me-
Harg was answering the question"
Mr.. Heney broke In to refer to gag
rule in Colorado" directing his remarks
to Mr. Stevenson.
L
Thomas L. Devine, of Colorado. who
held the committe proxy for that state.
'The gentleman is insulting Colorado
when he makes such charges"
Settle . Few Taft Rows.
Following this action the committee
quickly disposed Of the First South
Carolina district case in which the
regular and contesting delegations
we're both composed OF Taft supporters:
The contestants were seated.
The First Tennessee district was
then taken up. The national commit
lee seated the Sells faction OF Taft
delegates in the First Tennessee dis
.rict. No Roosevelt contest was in.
volved.
ok.ahomans in Fist Fight.
A fist fight between Grant Victor,
United States marshal for the eastern.
Of Oklahoma. Taft supporter.
md L. q. Disney and Patrick Dore. OF
westville. Okla. Roosevelt followers,