The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-08-06

Chicago, Aug. 6-The negro question was a very present problem when the Progressive national convention re- assembled today. Although the long expected speeches of Col. Roosevelt, outlining his views of what the party stood for which was to be delivered at noon, overshadowed all else, the delegates themselves admitted they feared a clash would come from the action of the credentials committee in the South contests That body reaf- firned the doctrine of tho national committee that it did not propose hav- ing negro problem forced upon it, insisting there could not be any such question and simply threw out of the convention entirely both the negro and white delegates from Florida on the ground that they had been illegal ly elected and reaffirmed the declara- should be law unto itself in declar- ing what method was to be pursued in electing delegates
 This action was taken on motion of the negro member of the committee from New Jersey. seconded by a Rhode Island negro, and was carried in the face of the opposition of all of
 
 Sta tes south of the Mason and Dixon lines who desired the party on record at it's inception as being a white mans organization.
 The committee, however, pleased the whites of the South by ruling of the negro contestants from Florida hold Ing that the convention was illegal. The result was that Florida was un- represented in the convention, and there wsss not single negro in the State delegation from the South
 Inorder to aid the advocates of act ual voting representation the commit tee on rules reported to the conyen- ton a resolution making the basis of representation the vote actually cast at the previous eIections This ruling will govern iii all future conventions, and instead of delegates being elected on the basis of the Congressional dis trict. delegates win be apportioned to each State. one for each 10000 votes cast. In that manner the strong progressive States will be able to dic- tate the policies of the party without. being overruled by delegates who rep resent no votes.
 When the convention resumed it's sessions at noon all of the committees excepting resolutions were ready to re- port.
 The resolutions committee to which was entrusted the proposition of the party declaration of principles strug- gled a good portion of the night with tn problem and went back to work early today. It finally left several of the blanks to a sub committee which consulted with Col. Roosevelt and framed the blanks over which there was no contention.
 ] The fact that this is an amateur instead of 8 professional convention, something which is a great source of aT<x<,. .7~xxx ticuIar1y emphasized in the resolu- tions committee. The sessions were public and everyone who called was given a hearing. The result was unique. There is not problem that has been publicly aired in the last 20 years that was not brought to the attention of committee one man go- ing so far as to demand that the con- vention go -on record as favoring re- searches by government doctors to find a perfect corn cure. But all who came were given a courteous hearing and the committee ignored tn absurd suggestions.
 1t was generally hoped that the piat- form would be short, although it was also realized that as it was to be on the declaration of Col. Roosevelt made today, it would be to make it the 1000 word document that many of the leaders would like to have. It was certain, however, that it would declare for scientific revision of the tariff, the Roosevelt plan of trust regulation, an honest enforceable plan of employers liability and workingmen'S compensa- tion. radical conservation of natural the settlement by the adult men and women of each State of the suffragette question, strong army and navy, reform of the courts and laws everywhere which would make more easy the rule of the people. The minimum wage. child labor, work mems insurance and old age pensions were to have attention. It was said that the committee would confer with Col. Roosevelt tonight regarding the 1 platform and at that conference the final touches would be placed on the document.
 The Vice Presidential situation Loomed large in today's developments. | The real candidates are Gov. Hiram | Johnson of California, backed by most 1 B hard campaigner put in second place 1 on the ticket; Judge Ben B. Lindsey, | who turned down the overtures to | make l1llR~a a Senator from Colorado if | he would >saain in the Democracy, | and John M. Parker of New Orleans | mise candidates who have bobbed up | and are hoping that the lightning will strike.
 In an attempt to get Lindsey out of the running his name was suggested | to the committee on permanent organ zation as the choice of the majority | of the leaders for permanent chair | nan. The judge, however, refused to | ,ake the honor. He said to the com nittee that they. did not have time to isten to another keynote speech and that the temporary organi- zation be made permanent.
 Lindsey's friends were very active n his behalf today and a delegation of the Colorado delegates called on Roosevelt in his behalf Roosevelt has a preference but up to the present he has refused to let t become known simply saying that 1e wants a strong candidate who can | appeal to the, people as a real re- ,ormer.
 The real business today was Roose- Jelt's speech although nearly all the 1 state delegation held caucus prior to to the convention hall.
 There can be no denial of the fact | n the @infp0drcfior 0f Inc xynrs1a