Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1916-06-09
REPUBLICANS IN
BIG CONVENTION
NATIONAL GATHERING OPENED
IN CHICAGO. CROWDS FILL
ING THE COLISEUM.
Senator Harding Of Ohio 10 Eleeted
Temporary Chairman and DelIv-
ers the Keynote Speech
Committees Are Named.

Chicago. June THE Republican
party opened It's great Quadrennial
show-the national convention-to-
day before q capacity house. Despite
the fact that the proceedings Of the
4 hrst session were to be only prelim-
mary f0rmalities, the people fiocked
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 gayel to cali
the convention to order there was not
one vacant seat in the immense struc
ture
1t was fine setting for an inn
portant event. The Coliseum was dec
GRATED as never before, with flags and
bunting draping the Orders and gal
ieries 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-
lar airs. Back of the speakers ros.
trums where sat Mr.. Hilles and his
working force of 35 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 liv
ing exchairman of Republican ma
tional convention. To the right and
left OF these were placed the members
Of the national committee and their
guests.
| In the body OF the hall, directly in
front Of the speakers stand, were the
991 delegates gathered about their
state standards, and back OF them
991 alternates. Just below the rostrum
and on both sides Of It were the AIS
working newspaper men, and in the
galleries all around the hall were the
thousands Of spectators who had been
fortunate to obtain admission tickets.
Convention Begins Business.
Mr.. HiIles was heartily applauded
when he stood before the throng.
gayel 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 Presbyte-
rian church Of Chicago, 10 deliver the
invocation. d.. Stones eloquent and
Impressive prayer was followed by
the reading OF the call for the con-
vention by James B. Reynolds OF Mas
sachusetts, secretary of the national
committee.
Mr.. Hilles then called for nominal
tions 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 formality.
Senator Harding is an imposing flg-
ure. and as he accepted the gayel
from the hands Of Mr.. Hilles he was
enthusiastically cheered.
Chairman HardEne'e Address.
Chairman Harding launched at once
into his. Keynote speech, and did
not belle his reputation for eloquencs
and deftness OF phrase. He began with
warm plea for harmony I'm the party
ranks, coupled with the confident as
sertion that such harmony already
was an assured fact. With 1unctuous
sentences he slrillfully oiled the way
for the smooth return OF those who
left the party four years ago to follow
the Bull Moose standard, and he de-
clared to them and to the world that
he did not believe there was a really
reactionary Republican among the
delegates.
As might have been expected, Mr..
HardinT early in his address took up
the gnOjeet o. national defense. His
utterances on this topic were reason
ably emphatic and in line with the
/ adj L.
4 spreading over the land. Our nationa'
unselfshness has been proved since
the great war broke out he said. and
our national weakness in defense re-
vealed. The foreign policy Of the
Democratic administration, both in re-
lation to Europe and in the matter of
Mexico. was dealt with in a few caus-
tic sciences. and the plan TO turn
loose" the Philippines also was scored.
The speaker devoted some attention
% the need, from Republican point
or view, for q protective tariff, and
then turned 20 the topic of American
ism. Here he once more let his eIo-
quence have full play, and his caIl for
loyalty, devotion and love for the
United States on the part OF every
one OF its citizens was answered By .
roar of cheers.
Verify, Il is good to be an Ameri.
can. And we may rejoice To be Re
publicans," he concluded.
Routine Business Transacted.
When the band music that burst
. forth at the end OF Senator Harding's
speech was over and the assemDiage
Quoted down again. the other tempo
rary officers were nominated and
elected. and the chairman Of tie vart
Gus state delegations were called on "a
eend mp the names Of the men selected
BY the delegations 70 represent them
On the committees ON credentials, per.
manent organization. rules ana order
} of business, and resolutions. In most
} eases tha names were all ready aud
were soon In possession Of the aecra,
taries.
Some mieseilaAeous business fol
lowed, and Chairman Harding then a.
AsaIm