The Oskaloosa herald., 1916-06-08
G. 0. P. CONVENTION
OPENS At CHICAGO
Republican Party Starts Its
Great ouadrenniaI Show. :
BIG CROWD At COLISEUM
Delegates Elect Senator Harding Of
Ohio Temporary Chairman, Who
Delivers Keynote Address
Committees Named.

party opened its great Quadrennial
show-the national convention-to-
day before a capacity house. Despite
the fact that the proceedings OF the
first session were to be only prelim-
ina ny formalities, the people tiocked
to the Coliseum by the thousand and
poured through the many entrances
in solid streams for hours. When
Charles D. Hilles, chairman OF the ma
tional committee, arose at eleven
o'clock and took up the gavel to call
the convention to order there was not
one vacant seat in the immense struc-
ture.
IL was a fine setting for an i'm
poFtant event. The Coliseum was dec
Grated as never before, with flags and
bunting draping the Orders and gal
leries and covering all bare spots on
the. end walls. Up in gallery at the
south end of the hall brass band
was pouring forth patriotic and popu-
LA airs. Back of the speakers ros-
trum, where sat Mr.. Hilles and his
working force OF 50 men, were grouped
many members Of the diplomatic
corps who had come on from Wash
ington, and the distinguished guests
of the convention, among them all hv-
ing .ex-chairmen of Republican ma.
tional conventions. To the right and
left OF these were placed the members
OF the, national committee and their
.gneats. ...
In the body of the hall. directly In
front OF the speakers stand, we're the
991 delegates gathered about their
state Standards. and back OF them 991
aHernates. Just below the rostrum
and on both sides OF It were the 425
working newspaper men, and in the
galleries all around the hall we're the
thousands Of spectators who had
been fortunate to obtain admission
tickets.
Convention Begins Business.
Mr.. jHiBes was heartily applauded
when he stood before the throng.
gavel in hand. He spoke but briefly
IN calling the great gathering to or
der, and called on Rev. John Timothy
Stone. pastor Of the Fourth Presbyter-
ian church of Chicago, to deliver the
Invocation. DR.. Stones eloquent and
impressive prayer was followed by
the reading Of the call for the con-
vention by James B. Reynolds of Mas
saehusetts, secretary of the national
committee.
Mr.. HiIles then called for nomina-
tioRs for temporary chairman. OF
course the selection of United States
Senator Charles Warren Harding OF
Ohio for that position had been all
settled long ago and his election by
unanimous vote was only q for
mality, ..a
Chairman Hardlne's Address.
Chairman Harding launched at once
into his keynote" speech, and did not
belle his reputation for eloquenee and
dizziness of phrase. He began with
warm plea for harmony in the party
ranks. coupled with the confident as
sertion that such harmony already was
an assured fact. With unctuous sen.
fences he skilIfuIly oiled the way for
the smooth return of those who left
the party four years ago to follow the
Bull Moose standard.
AS, might have been expected, Mr..
Harding early In HIS address took up
the subject Of national defense. His
utteEances on this topic were reason
ably emphatic and In line with the
preparedness sentiment that has been
spreading over the land. Our national
unselfshness has been proved since
the great war broke out, he said, and
our national weakness in defense re-
vealed. .
The speaker devoted some attention
10 the need. from Republican point
Of view, for a protective tariff, and
then turned to the topic Of American
ism, Here he once more let his elo-
quence have full play, and his call for
loyalty. devotion and love for the
United States on the part Of every one
OF its citizens was answered by roar
OF cheers
"Verily, It is good to be an Ameri-,
can. And we may rejoice to be Re-
puDticaHbs ne COnCluueQ-
Routine Business Transacted.
When the band music that burst
forth at the end Of Senator Hardings
speech was over and the assemblage
quleted down again, the other tempo
rary, oficers were nominated and
elected, and the chairmen Of the vari.
Gus state delegations were called on to
send up the names OF the men selected
by fhe delegations to represent them
on the committees on credentials, per.
nanent organization. rules and order
6f business. and resolutions. In most
cases the names were all ready and
we're soon IL possession Of the secre-
tfries.
some miscellaneous business follow.
Cd. and Chairman Harding then de-
clArad the convention adjourned until
Thursday morning.
The members Of the committees n
once gathered in the meeting places
assigned them and took up their work
50 as to be ready 10 report To the sec.
ond session Of the convention. \