Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 April 1912 — ROOSEVELT MEN BOLT CONVENTION [ARTICLE]

ROOSEVELT MEN BOLT CONVENTION

Leave Bay City (Mich.) Meeting* After Turbulent Scenes. CARRY CONTEST TO CHICAGO Fight Starts When Taft Man Throws Opponent From Platform —Beveridge Guarded by Policeman — Troops Called Out. Bay City, Mich-, April 12.—Taft and Roosevelt factions disrupted the Michigan stele Republican convention here and, after a sensational three-hour fight, the Roosevelt leaders and delegates, after electing a national delegation, withdrew to carry the question of disputed delegates before the national convention at Chicago. The delegates at large named by the Roosevelt convention were: Governor Chase S. Osborn. Charles De- 1 fruit; Sybrant Wesselius, Grand Rapids; H. F. . Boughey, Traverse City; Theodore Joslyn, Adrian;. V . D Gordon, Midland. • The Taft delegation is headed by John D. McKay of Detroit The other five are CapL W. J.;. Richards, Crystal Falls; Geo”gh P. Morley of Saginaw; Fred A Diggins, Cadillac; Eugene Fifield, Bay City, and William Judson. Grend Rapids. . \ Police Eject Roosevelt Men. Macy Roosevelt men, who entered the convention ball through transoms, were ejected by the police and private detectives, and when one Roosevelt supporter, W. D. Gordon of Midland, reached the platform and attempted •o make a speech, he was thrown to the floor by J F. Cremer, a Taft man. The police and militia kept back a hundred men who* attempted to take part in the physical encounter that resulted, while former Senator Albert J. ’ everidge of Indiana was swept back from bls seat. A big policeman stood guard over Mr. Beveridge until order was restored.

Beveridge Refuses to Speak. After waiting three hours to make a speech, Mr. Beveridge announced that he would decline to do so. as two convections were being held He took the position that Le should not decide the legality of either body The opening act in the turbulent meeting took place under guard ot members of Company B of the Michi gan National Guard, which had been called out after all-night conferences failed to develop any sign of peace. While the militia held the front en trance to the armory against a crowd of I.BCO delegates and contested dele gates, members of the state central committee, headed by Acting Chair man Robert H. Shields of Houghton were admitted through a side Entrance. ' The Tait forces thus obtained the first strategic advantage in the tight for control. As soon as the Shields members of the state central commit ’< e had been admitted they proceeded to choose Robert Shields temporary < hairman and went ahead with the seating arrangements for the delegates ’.vaiting impatiently outside in the

street. While the Taft forces held the armcry in this manner, Roosevelt leaders conferred at 41 downtown hotel and to go to the convention and ’seat their temporary chairman, former Secretary of the Navy Truman Newberry of Detroit, Get Conflicting Orders. After further conference of the state central committee, militia, police and sergeants at arms received their instructions from the opposing factions. Shields ordered them to admit oh’y these delegates with cards bearing the signature of Secretary Paul H. King of the state committee Chairman Knox instructed the guards to il’ow no one to enter unless he carled a card bearing his signature The doors were opened, but on’y •>gates bearing cards signed by Secretary King were admitted. Thus the Taft forces filled the hall, despite , frantic efforts of the Roosevelt men to gain entrance througi side doors, win- ■ dowA and the basement i With six delegates at large to the candidate as the pri?e, the rival factions attempted to seat 1,888 delegates where only 1,312 delegates legailyypan he placed. When the Taft men were seen to be jin absolute control, thy Roosevelt forces went to another hall and held their own convention. i