Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 147, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 June 1912 — TAFT FORCES SUCCEED IN ELECTING ROOT CHAIRMAN. [ARTICLE]

TAFT FORCES SUCCEED IN ELECTING ROOT CHAIRMAN.

Colonel’s Men Blocked In Attempts to Gain Control; WIU Fight Every Inch Of Way. Against threats, charges and bitter invective of the Roosevelt forces, the Taft supporters in the republican national convention yesterday put the first portion of their program by electing Senator Elihu Root, of New York, as temporary chairman by a vote of 558 to 502 over Governor McGovern, of Wisconsin. In spite of the fact that Victor Rosewater, chairman of the national committee, invariably ruled out of order every motion made by the forces, it required more than five hours to reach a vote on the chairmanship. The calling of the roll was beset with difficulties from the very first name on the list of delegates. Governor Francis E. McGovern, of Wisconsin, was Root’s opponent There were fourteen scattering votes and four delegates failed to vote. . When senator Root began his “keynote speech,” people in great numbers began to leave the hall. He announced then that he would suspend until all those who wished to go had retired. Thousands .then left, but nearly all the delegates remained and listened to the speech with an intent ness of interest very noticeable, although it was interrupted frequently at the beginning by jeers and calls, which came chiefly from Roosevelt’s Pennsylvania adherents. Both the Taft and Roosevelt forces are claiming that the vote Indicates that their candidate is absolutely sure to win. The advantage appears to be with the president, however, for while he is sure to lose some of the votes that were cast for Senator Root, it is claimed that he will gain, if instructions are lived up to, some of the votes cast for McGovern. Those leaders who have been urging a compromise candidate ever since they arrived in Chicago ,are pointing to another angle lb. the figures and claim that they show that it is essential to name a “dark horse” to save the day for the.-republican party. The Roosevelt forces aqd the Taft forces carried out their programs as announced in advance almost to the letter. The Roosevelt forces say they are going to fight every Inch of the way. There were cries of “bolters” hurled at Roosevelt delegates at times during the squabble, but the possibility of a bolt last night seemed far distant.