Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-07
Longs Authority Denied.

The action of the republican national
committee at its meeting in Washington
last December in declaring illegal the
Long" delegates selected at the August
II convention. also invalidated all other
acts OF that convention. including the Sc
lection OF Col. Pope NJ. Long as state
chairman. Mr.. Hundley contended.
The Roosevelt attorneys claimed that
Thompson. in an effort TO avoid the con-
test at Chicago. proposed to Long q state
primary for national delegations. but that
Long would not agree to this.
Senator Borah, Senator Penrose and
Frank b. Kellogg interrupted frequently
Thompson convention of May IL. 1912.
and as to the number Of members of the
republican state committee who Joined
with Mr.. Thompson in calling that con-
vention.
lis there any law in Alabama regulat-
ing the election OF a state committed?
asked F. B. Kellogg.
did not Mr.. Thompson in July. 1911.
call a convention to settle local affairs?
Yes"
Was there anything to prevent the Sc
lection OF new state committee at that
convention"
Mr.. Hundley replied no. but that the
by the call of the republican national
committee issued in Washington last De-
cember.
Mr.. Hundley admitted that a majority
of the old Thompson committee had an
swered the call of Pope NJ. Long. the new
chairman. for the convention at which
the Taft delegates were elected.
Presentation Of the Taft Side.
The Long" or Taft side, began its ar
gument at 80 am, o. b. Street OF
Guntersville. Ala, taking the floor.
When the Taft side took up the argu-
ment, Mr.. Street charged that Mr..
Thompson had signed a written agree
ment to abide by the action of the state
convention Of August 81. 1911.
When the convention met" said Mr..
Street, MIR. Thompson called 1t to or
der. There was no protest from any
where"
The Long committee chosen by the
convention was recognized by all fac
tions. he said. When the republican
national committee invalidated the selec-
August convention. Chairman Long
January 2. 1912. called another state
convention. held March Z. 1912, at which
the Long delegates were reelected.
Mr.. Street characterized re
finement of technicality' the claim of
the Thompson faction that all acts of
the August 81 convention were invalid
because the republican national COM
mlItee refused TO recognize Oele&ateS
elected earlier than January 1, 1912. He
characterized 1t as "a proposition SO
absurd as to scarcely require answer"
,, Roosevelt Vote for Taft Delegates.
Upon the close of the arguments the
, contest came quickly to vote, and 1t
was evidently unanimous. Senator
Borah's demand for roll call was not
opposed. and it showed the same result
sd to in favor of seating the Taft
delegates at large.
The attitude of the Roosevelt MEM
had been foreshadowed in the questions
logg and others during the course of
the arguments.
Searching questions were asked by
members of the committee on all points
of the controversy and the decision was
reached without debate
The motion to Seat the Long delegation
was made by Committeeman Blodgett of
Michigan
The raft delegates from the first Ala
bama district are Prelate .. Parker and
Clarence w. Allen.
Taft District Delegates Seated.
After Mr.. McHarg, attorney for Roose-
Welt forces, had waived argument on the
first district the committee seated the
Taft delegates. The same action was
taken In the second. fifth and sixth dis
tricts.