The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-06-07
If TEDDY we're
PRESIDENT

,Corttnned from Page one,
cheers when he came to the platform
and shook hands with Murdoch
George w. Perkins arrived a mo-
ment later and was cheered for rev
seconds He came to the platform and
three more rousing cheers that termi-
mated in the greatest demonstration
up to that time, ensued- The noise rolled
to the top of the Auditorium ana
echoed back to the platform, where
Perkins was all smiles as he stood up
while the band played America
which was to precede the formal open
ing of the meeting. Perkins conferred
earnestly for a few minutes with Seth
Davis and Murdoch.
Cheers for Allen.
H. J. Allen, of Kansas, the most rad
icaI of the radical Bull MooSers, 1ol-
lowed Perkins to the stand and was
cheered again and again. Irving Kirk
wood publisher of the Kansas CITY
Star, conferred with Perkins Inc
New York delegation cheered the IN
diana ProgreSsives as they arrived
The Wisconsin delegation broke mo-
ment's silence with the famous Wis
consin University yell, the 'U-Dra-
Wisconsin"
Cheers for Murdoch.
When the convention was called to
order at 1927 p. m. there was roar
| ing din of cheers for Murdoch, inter-
| the hall for Teddy"
Bishop William Frazer Mcdowell
read an invocation.
Geo. w. Perkins was on the plat
form with Murdoch, instead of at MS
seat in the New York delegation.
John w McGrath, Colonel Roose-
velts private secretary, also was on
the platform, supposedly as the COLO
ners personal representative: the
! convention sang America" after the
prayer. Chairman Murdoch expressed
| the hope that the crowd would be on
| its good behavior" as he opened a
| brief address before introducing Ray
mond Robins, the temporary chair
man.
! Photo Man Was There.
A photographer interrupted him to
snap the convention.
| Before Robins began, Secretary Da-
Wis read the call of the convention and
other routine preliminaries were got
ten out of the way.
Robins Chosen.
| At 12:4S Murdoch announced the
| committees choice of temporary Of
ficers, with Raymond Robins as tenn
was approved on motion of Delegate
| o. H. Highly of MINI esota-
| Governor johnson of California and
Oscar Straus of New York and John
! NJ. Parker of Louisiana escorted Rob-
ms to the chair.
| A demonstration that lasted one
minute greeted Robinss arrival on
the platform. In introducing Robins.
Murdoch referred to the Progressive
party as christian soldiers" The
band struck up the tune and the en-
tire convention sang it. Everybody
waved a flag.
SqueIch Demand for II. r.
Reports that there might be an in
sistent demand for an immediate NOM
ination of Colonel Roosevelt as notice
to the Republicans that they could
not be ignored, were discouraged, and
almost squelched by statement is
sued by George W. Perkins the chief
spokesman for the party. aho declar-
ed that the Progressives wero meeting
in a conciliatory spirit and would not
act precipitately, while the posi- bility
of agreement with the Republicans
remained. His statement said:
AT the moment of the opening of
the conventions the Progressives are
very well satisfied with the atmos-
phere surrounding them and believe
that proper spirit has been created
| from which the result so desirable in
the best interests of the country may
be finally Obtained
Supplementing his formal state
ment, Mr.. Perkins declared:
Every one should keep it constant
ly in mind that the Progressive con-
vention is not being held here at the
same time the Republican conven-
ton in the spirit of threat"
Climbed to Table.
AS dozens of delegates marched in
single in front of the speakers stand
Perkins climbed a table above the
crowd and held an impromptu recep-
ton, shaking hands with the passing
delegates and beating time to the
music.
At 1925 p. m. when the demonstra-
ton had been on for 20 minutes and
was apparently dying down. the band
started it again with the Onward
Christian Soldiers battle song. The
New York delegation boosted a red
headed delegate on the shoulders Of
two of the huskiest members of the
delegation and started march around
the Auditorium at 1927 p. m.
Some of the more enthusiastic of
the crowd wanted to march down to
the Coliseum while the boom was at
its height. but Murdoch and Perkins
llaughingly shook their heads when
asked if they approved.
Perkins Ate Sandwich.
Geo. w. Perkins. jr., heir to many
millions, passed the platform during
the parade. munching five cent ham
sandwich.
Some of the fellows that have been
pussyfooting around here will take
notice of this demonstration" said
Governor johnson when the cheering
had lasted 35 minutes.
Train Played All Over Again.
AS the demonstration proceeded the
riot of the mob of cheering delegates
crushed so closely about Robins and
Murdoch that the two were complete
ly lost from sight Drums beat
Moose Horns footed and everybody
yelled in a bedlam of sound. They
were all primed and ready for the
start after days of waiting. The en-
tire crowd sang 1--WE Want Teddy un-
til the arches of the Auditorium nearly
cracked under the volume of sound.
Finally they got tired singing it and
yelled it.
The band played all the patriotic
songs it knew, and started to repeat
them. Robins LEI the crowd have its
md d.. M off