Omaha daily bee., 1919-01-19
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1
On Sunday afternoon, June TO- gentleman
who had previously been introduced to me as
Mr.. Riley of Kansas City, and who was one of
the attendants upon Colonel Roosevelt sug-
gested that it would be desirable for me to have
an interview with the colonel to reach an I'M
derstandng upon procedure as far as we could.
said / would be glad to talk over any matter
of that kind, and he volunteered to make an APP
pointment for rue, and later notified me that he
would come for me at II 80 p. m. At that hour
he called and conducted me to the suite or
rooms occupied by Colonel Roosevelt at the
northwest corner of the first floor Of the Con-
Rress hotel We were Immediately admitted by
the doorkeeper, and / waited few minutes in
the anteehamber. after which the colonel him
self came out, shook hands and invited me into
the large reception room, where we sat on the
couch and conveFsed ffor probably fifteen
minutes.
The colonel repeatedly gave assurance that
there was no intention on his part, or that OF
his followers, to indulge in anything that would
be regarded as disorderly proceedings, and that
lie was eager to have the convention 60 along
without trouble, yet insisting that they should
be accorded everything that belonged to them
Of right He seemed to have some idea that
the contested delegates seated by the national
committee over his objection should not be al
lowed to participate In the organization OF the
convention, but ! told him that as chairman Of
the national committee, although / had myself
voted mo" on seating some of the contestants
on the roll I could not discredt the roll as
made up by the national committee nor was
there any other roll which could recognize.
He started to talk about some of the contest
cases, but told him there was no use for Us
to discuss them, that had heard all the evil
dence and was satisfied with my own con-
illusions, while he had had only one side of
it. I added however. that / wanted to be per-
feetly fair in the convention, as / had been in
the committee, and would be glad to cooperate
toward orderly proceedings.
Colonel Roosevelt said he would like to
have me confer with some one as his represent
tative, mentioning the names among others of
Governor Hadley, Governor Stubs, Governor
Johnson and Mr.. Heney, asking whether they
would be acceptable to me. ] said that so far as
Twas concerned, could talk to any of them,
but doubted whether ! could arrive at any
thing with Mr.. Heney whereupon he, himself
suggested that Governor Hadley would be
preferable. and went out and brought Hadley
and Stubbs in. and after few words, terminal
ing with my declaration that would be pleased
to recognize Governor Hadiey, or any one he
might designate on his side, on any matter that
was properly before the convention, and was
debatable, he retired, leaving me TO talk to the
two governors
Governor Hadley explained that their pur-
pose was to challenge the temporary roll before
the temporary chairman was chosen. ] sug.
gested that he could do that as we'll after had
given up the gavel, but he thought not He
said they had been looking into parliamentary
law and precedents, and thought they could per-
suade me that such motion would be in order.
I told him ! would be willing to have him
Al k..Ek fsaAT IL al tasrn
the other side look into it and present their
version, and that I would govern myself ac-
cording to my best Judgment. We parted with
a mutual understanding that another conference
would be held although no time or place was
designated.
In the interval. conferred with the parla-
nentarians already designated for the conven-
ton work Congressman Olmsted of Pennsyl-
vania and ex-Congressman E. l. Lampson of
Ohio, who agreed there was no precedent for
taking no business of any kind prior TO the nam
ing of the temporary chairman, the two cases
which Governor Hadley had cited, those OF
1864 and 1894 both relating to amendments to
the roll made after the temporary organization.
The second conference with Governor Had
ley was arranged at his request through Seere-
tary Hayward and took place at $50 a. M, June
49, in Mr. Hayward's rooms at the Blackstone
hotel / talked with the governor perhaps half
an hour. He had his motion typewriter, and
submitted It 10 me. He said he had not been
able TO find any more presidents to sustain his
contention but urged that all precedents must
have a beginning, and that / should make a
precedent. THAT means" answered, that all
the precedents are against your contention. In
this he acquieseed, but still urged that should
set a precedent of my own Seeing my re-
luetance, he then requested that before ! ruled,
permit him to state to the convention why !
should rule his way, citing. the example of
President Mckinley as chairman OF the ma
tional convention of 1892 when a point Of order
was raised, in inviting discussion of It before
ruling. / told him that I was inclined to as
sent to this last request, and that he might
meet me at II 80 az Secretary Hayward's Office
10 the Coliseum. In the interval ! wrote out
on two sheets Of Blackstone hotel paper first
the substance of his resolution, and on the
other the substance OF his proposal. On the
first sheet I wrote:
THAT Immediately on adoption OF this
resolution the list of delegates placed in the
hands of the secretary be considered. and be
subject to amendment, and subject to amend
ment."
The repetition of the last words was due to
my hurried writing.
On the second sheet wrote the following: |
Two hours to a side TO debate the ques-
ton then the previous question 10 be voted
on by the persons now on the temporary roll
as made up by the national committee"
said to Governor Hadley, 80 there may
be no misunderstanding. will YOU please read |
this TO make sure it is correct and initial
it with me"
walked out to the Coliseum little later