The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1916-06-02
1916 CONVENTION OF
MOST UNCERTAIN
Large Number of Possible.
ties and Attitude of Pro-
gressives Add to
the Interest.

"HE sixteenth national convention
n meets in the Coliseum In Chica
go on June Z, will be one Of the
most interesting and exciting gather.
ings ever held by that party. Excite.
ment will be intensified because of the
uncertainty of the nominee. When the
hrst ballot Is taken there will be a
dozen men voted for, any one Of whom
may subsequently be the fortunate one
1t is conceded that all of these have a
chance, some better than others.
Another thing that tends to add in.
terest is the attitude of the Progressive
party. The split or 1912 Is vividly re-
called. VIII the two factions get to.
gether this year, or will there again be
a third ticket?
The history of this split Is well
known. Theodore Roosevelt, who had
served one term of his own and three
and half years Of McKinley's second
term after the latter's assassination.
unqualifiedly Endorsed William II.
Taft, then secretary of state, for presi-
dent In 1908. Mr.. Taft was overwhelm-
1ngly elected.
Break Four Years Ago.
The convention Of 1912 approached.
Roosevelt was then an avowed candi-
date. While he had not served two
complete terms, the third term argu-
ment against naming him was raised.
A bitter fight over seating the contest
ed delegations was raised. Finally a
majority of delegates with Taft pro-
clivities were seated and the voting
started. On the first, ballot Taft re-
ceived 561 votes and Roosevelt lot. A
few others were scattered between
Hughes of New York, La Toilette Of
Wisconsin and Cummins of Iowa.
However, there were 344 delegates
who, vexed at the manner the contests
had been settled. refused to vote for
any candidate.
Colonel Roosevelt then organized the
Progressive party, was declared the
nominee for president and in the cleo,
ton the following November received
q larger popular vote than did Taft,
the nominee of the regular Republican
party. The vote then was as follows:
Woodrow Wilson. Democrat. G.203,O10:
Theodore Roosevelt. Progressive. 4,119.-
507; William III. Taft. Republican,
3,484,95G. Wilson received. 49, votes
in the electoral college. Roosevelt IS
and Taft only 8.
This was the birth Of the Progressive
party. which may be amalgamated with
the Republicans again at the approach
ing Chicago convention or which may
continue to exist and again name a
third candidate. 1t will hold a con-
vention in Chicago. also opening on
June Z.
The Republican convention Of 1850
was one of the most exciting and sur
prising ever held. Long before the
convention met it was seen that the
contest very likely lay between Lin
coin and Seward. All the free and
border states, with the addition Of
Texas, were represented. The first
two days were taken up with seating
the delegates and adopting platform:
on the third the candidates were for
mally presented without speeches.
Seward was popular, and his cause was
superhly managed by Thurlow Weed.
one VI the shrewdest politicians the
country has produced. But there was
q growing feeling that. much as he de-
served of the party. Seward could not
carry such doubtful states as Pennsyl.
vania and Indiana. On the morning
OF the third day Weed, in attempting
a Seward demonstration, was outwit-
ted. He planned monster parade In
Stewards behalf. While his adherents
were parading the streets the Lincoln
managers packed the enormous Wig
wan, where the convention was held.
with their sympathizcrs. 1t was a
bold stroke, and it gave the Lincoln
cause the powerful cid that an enthu-
siastic audience alone can give. AS
the balloting proceeded every vote for
Lincoln was cheercd to the echo.
Seward led on the first two ballots.
but on the second his gain was but 10,
while Lincoln. largely through Penn
sylvanias support, gained IS. While
the third ballot was being counted u
hush fell on the convention. 1t was
known that Lincoln was either NOM
mated or very close to 1t. The count
showed him to be but two and half
votes short of a majority, with 231la
votes, $50 for Seward and so scatter
ing.
At this juncture Chairman Carter of
the Ohio delegation mounted a chair
and called out, 81 rise to announce the
change of four votes from Ohio from
Mr.. Chase to Abraham Lincoln" As
soon as 1t was realized that this gave
Lincoln the nomination an uproar
broke forth An immense charcoal
likeness of Lincoln was unrolled from
the rear gallery, and the entire audi
ence and convention, with the excep-
ton of the New York delegation, in
dulged in the widest enthusiasm for
some minutes. When order was re-