The Washington herald., 1912-06-23
WHAT CONVENTION DID
DURING DYING HOURS
Steam Roller FIattens Out More Roosevelt Men, Com.
pIeting ObIiteratiOn Of the CoIoneI-Dem-
onStratiOnS Prove Distraction
Br JoHN 3. FRATT.

Chicago, June Z2-The steam roller
started chugging away as soon as the
convention opened. Chairman Root wait.
ed until 10:E o'clock for word from the
credentials committee from slamming
down the gavel. When he was Informed
that the Mississippi contests had been
disposed OF, he opened the steam throttle
the Rev. John Wesley Hi1l, an ardent ad-
mirer Of President Taft, offered prayer,
expressing the hope that the country
was saved from rsstlessness and ruin. He
asked for a blessing upon this con-
ventions upon these delgates, upon whom
devoive arduous responsibilities
The convention hall, at the opening,
was only half hned. An the delegates
were in their seats, hoping for an end
70 the long suspense, but the balconies
were In spots, empty. Mrs. Alice Long
worth, looking forlorn, came in with
Congressman Nicholas Longworth be-
fore the prayer. The Congressman
smiled family. The Longworth family
appeared to be apprehensive of what
was going to happen to the eolonePs
ambitions.
To order ct IOt4B O'Clock.
The convention called to meet at 10
to-day drifted aimlessly for three-quar-
ters Of an hour. The report OF the COM
mittee On credentials, the first thing to
come before the house was not ready.
II was lo:s5 when the convention was
finally brought TO order.
The Rev. John Wesley Hill pro-
bounced the invocation. He said:
''Oh, Thou. who dwelIeth in the light
and unto whom all things come in their
ripeness and beauty, We rejoice that
unto Us Thy glory has been revealed.
I'VE thank Thee, Almighty God, for
the history, the principles and achieve
ments represented here to-day, for the
party Of patriotism ana progress, of
law and order. Of liberty and Of equality.
We pray Thy blessings upon this
convention. upon these delegates, upon
whom devolve arduous responsibilities.
Grant TO them largeness Of purpose and
patriotism.
Save US from restIessness, revolu-
ton, and ruin
Steam Roller Starts.
Two minutes after the convention
started the steam roller was on its
way" The delegates and the chairman
seemed 10 enjoy the situation. The first
case that came up was the delegates-at-
large from Mississippi. Two reports
were offered. When the motion of Dele
gate Watson to table the minority re-
port came up some one in the audience
called ''toot" Others initiated the sound
OF escaping steam. When the votes were
put the delegates shouted Yes" Then
they shouted No" The No was loud
and long.
The ayes appear to have it." shouted
the chairman. smiIingly.
The ayes have It and the motion is
passed"
Some delegates produced a metal
whistle and sounded two shrill blasts.
The other Mississippi cases in which
there were no contests were rushed
through in the same manner, the chair
man announcing his decision amid deaf
ening choruses of noes"
Every one was good natured.
Chairman Root advanced to the front
Of the platform TO ask for order when
the contests the State at large case
Of Washinr N was called.
Exc edInE Speed Limit.
In a pleasant little speech he asked
a little more quiet.
Mr.. chairman. a point Of order"
Shouted P. W. Howard, Of Mississippi.
State the point"
The steam roller is exceeding the
limit"
The point is sustained" smiled Root. |
However, we must hasten somewhat for
VIC LafN lADlGs u bGAA4uB 4AD4Lle 4OE olIl- |
day"
The reading clerk then began reading |
the majority report in the Washington !
case
John J. Sullivan, Of Ohio. presented |
the statement of the minority, and "on |
behalf Of all of the Roosevelt members |
OF the committee on credentials, moved |
the adoption Of the statement as a
substitute
The statement charged that the con- !
tests in Washington were all 'trumped |
up ones" and found for the seating Of |
all Of the Roosevelt delegates.
Watson, of Indiana, moved to table |
the minority motion and to let the steam |
roller list go through.
'Choo. choo, choo," began the delegates |
from the Roosevelt slue.
They started to make a loud imitation
Of the steam roller in full operation.
"All aboard the choo choo cars"
Sand your tracks" and then turning |
the situation into farce they laughed /
and hooted. only to drop into the chorus
Nearer, My God. to Thee"
The loud California statesmen started
the hymn just as they had started the
hooting, and the musical voices from