Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 August 1912 — BIG CONVENTION ACCLAIMS BIRTH OF THIRD PARTY [ARTICLE]

BIG CONVENTION ACCLAIMS BIRTH OF THIRD PARTY

Roosevelt Given Great Ovation As He Addresses National Progressive Convention. BEVERIDGE ALSO CHEERED • ■ 1 Former Senator Is Made Temporary Chairman and Delivers Keynote Speech, Which Is Enthusiastically Received by Delegates and Spectators. Chicago, Aug. was a few minutes past noon today when Albert J. Beveridge, temporary chairman, called the national Progressive convention to order at its second session in the Coliseum. The delegate section on the main floor was well filled when the gavel fell and but few guests’ seats were unoccupied/ ■' Roosevelt Given Ovation.

Following the invocation by Rev. Father Andrew Spetz, Col. Theodore Roosevelt, who had been Invited to address the convention, was escorted to the platform. This was the signal for the greatest demonstration of the convention. Delegates and spectators were on their feet wildly cheering, and the tribute paid to Mr. Roosevelt was one of the most enthusiastic ever seen in a political convention. Throughout his address Mr. Roosevelt was interrupted with tumultuous applause and at its contusion another demonstration followed fully as noisy and enthusiastic as the one which preceded his speech. When the tumult had subsided the committees on permanent organization, credentials and rules made their reports.

New Party Is Born. The national Progressive party was launched Monday with a sensational attack upon the old parties. In the Coliseum, where Colonel Roosevelt’s followers held their first national convention, Albert J. Beveridge, former United States senator from Indiana, flayed the Democracy and the Republican organizations fore and aft. The hope of the future rests in the new party under the leadership of Colonel Roosevelt, according to the “keynote” he sounded as the temporary chairman of the convention. The Beveridge speech was the feature of the launching of the new party. The Indiana man was assisted in the birth of the new organization by United States Senator Dixon of Montana, chairman of the provisional national committee of the national Progressive party. The convention was called to order at 12:45 p. m. by Senator Dixon of Montana, national chairman of the new party. Dixon Gets First Applause. Senator Dixon, in his opening speech, got the first ' ripple of applause when he declared more representative delegates were seated in this than in any convention ever held. He referred to the dual sets of delegates sent giving one-half vote to each. He briefly reviewed the signing of the call for the convention. “In the last four weeks a nation has seen a new alignment of American politics,” said he. "Within four weeks, responding to our call, are assembled here today more delegate representations to a national convention than ever before assembled on American soil. “Today a new milestone will be erected in American politics. A new political party, knowing no north and no south, founded on the live issues of the day, will take Its place with those parties which live on the dead Issues of the past.”

Senator Dixon was interrupted when some one in the gallery shouted: "Hurrah for Teddy!" The delegates stood up and yelled. The applause was of short duration and the call for the convention war read. i Call Is Read. Senator Dixon then called on Secretary O. K. pavis to read the call for the convention. The reading was frequently interrupted by applause. The slogan “Thou shalt not steal!" appearing on the call, was greeted with cheers. The names of those signing the call were read and cheers greeted each name. When the reading of the call ended, Senator Dixon called on Rev. T F Dornblazer, who offered prayer. When the minister , had been praying for more than fifteen minutes the delegates interrupted with applause and shouts of “Amen.” in Conclusion he led the entire assemblage in the 1 Lord’s prayer, delegates and galleries joining, Beveridge Is Introduced. Ex-Senator Beveridge was introduced as temporary chairman at 1:30 anAd applause. “He was heralded as the next governor of Indiana,” by Senator Dixon. He was escorted to the platform by Governor Johnson of California, Governor Carey of Wyoming, Governor Vessey of South Dakota and Frank H. Funk of .Illinois, third ticket candidate for governor of Illinois. “The Progressive party stands for a nobler America," was his first sen-

tence, and he got a cheer from the audience. It was renewed when he said: “We stand for mutual helpfulness instead of mutual hatred.” When he declared the Progressive party was going to set the south men free from sectionalism the delegates stood up and yelled. Tariff Question Brings Jeers. Hoots and jeera greeted the mention of President Taft's name when Mr. Beveridge referred to the president’s stand on the tariff question. “Who has forgotten the Payne-Ald-rich law, which Mr. Taft says is the best ever made?" Mr. Beveridge asked.

“If all others have forgotten Ita iniquities, the interests which made millions by it have not,” he declared. He arraigned the Republican and Democratic parties for their attitude on rhe tariff.' He told what would be the standof the national Progressive party. The audience without discrimination greeted It with a chorus of “toos.” *

The hoots were renewed when the Indiana man referred to President iafts declarations in his speech of acceptance when he said the Progressive movement was socialistic. W hen Mr. Beveridge finished the floor and galleries were on their feet cheering. The fife and drum corps Joined in the din. In the band stand the cornet started up "My Country, Tis of Thee,? to air accompaniment of Roosevelt shouts. .

Sing the Republic’s Hymn. Capping the climax of enthusiasm, the delegates and spectators stood en masse and sang the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” John L Hamilton of Hoopeston, 111., was then recognized to read the rules of the temporary organization. Call of the roll by states was ordered for each chairman to report the members of the various standing committees. Mr. Roc«evelt was invited to address ' the convention Tuesday at 12 o’clock. James R. Garfield of Ohio made the motion. It was put and declared car- ; vied. A committee of fifteen to invite the colonel was authorized. At 3:37 p. m. adjournment was taken.

Temporary Officers Named. Temporary officers of the convention were as follows: Temporary Chairman—Albert J. Beveridge. General Secretary—O. K. Davis, Washington, D. C. Chief Assistant Secretary—Wilson Brooks, Chicago. Assistant Secretaries —William Allen White, Emporia, Kan.; Judson C. Welllvet, Washington, D. C." John Callan O’Laughlin, Chicago; George E. Milldr, Detroit; Angus McSween, Philadelphia; E. A. Dickson, Los Angeles; Harry J. Haskell, Kansas City, Mo.; Edward B. Clark Chicago; C. P. Connolly, New YorkClty; George Odell, New York City, and Charles C. Hart, Spokane, Wash. Sergeant at Arms—Colonel Chauncey Dewey of Illinois. Chief Assistant Sergeant at Arms — Captain Granville Fortescue. Official Reporter—Russell Leonard. Clerks —Henr.v F. Cochems, Milwaukee, Wis., and J. H. Gregory, Jr., Key West, Fla. Scores of men whose names are known from coast to coast and who have been leaders in former years In the two old parties were present at the convention as leaders, delegates, or visitors. Never In the history of American politics has there been a convention attended by so many delegates. From New York state 200 visitors and delegates were In attendance. Former Democrats lined up for Roosevelt from the Empire state are: Gen. Daniel E. Sickles, Francis J. Lantry and Havier. Timothy Woodruff, chairman of the delegation, declared it to be the most representatlve body of men ever sent by his state anywhere. Blue and Gray Represented. Among the fifty delegates from Tennessee are two men who strikinglyportray the makeup of the new party in that state. Majj-Gen. Hugh McDowell, commanding the United Confederate Veterans of Tennessee, arrived arm-in-arm with E. J. Boynton of Lawrenceburg, a former officer in the Federal army. William Flinn of Pittsburg arrived late with the last of the large delegation from his state. The enthusiasm of Pennsylvania delegates was characteristic of that of other eastern states. Missouri, with a quota of sixteen delegates, sent sixty-four members of the new party. All asked to be seated as delegates. Oklahoma, with an allotment of ten delegates, had forty registered at Its headquarters. Kansas sent only a few more than its quota, because nearly every Progressive of the state remained to engage in the state primaries.