THE PRESIDENCY

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10664, 20 June 1912, Page 5

THE PRESIDENCY

CABLE NEWS

(United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

A VICTORY FOR MR TAFT ELIHU ROOT CHAIRMAN OF THE CONVENTION. (Received Last Night,' 9.40 o'clock.) CHICAGO, June 19. The Hon. Elilui Root, Secretary of State, representing the Taft section, won the Chairmanship of the Convention. He was greeted with hostile cries. Large numbers of police were dis'ii'ibutcd ■i!i:x.'i:.rlxr,t vh-e .building,, as feeling ran Jiigh. Mr Root "appealed for support for Mr Taft, on the ground that he led the only party with a constructive policy.

OPENING OF CONVENTION

AN EXCITING TIME

MR ROOT ELECTED CHAIRMAN,

A SCENE OF PANDEMONIUM. (Received Last Night, 11.15 o'clock.) CHICAGO, June 19. The Convention was'held in the Coliseum, 14,000 persons being present. The floor area of two acnes, and the gallery of half an acre were crowded. Police' wero in every corner in every aisle. Forty members of the Committee were on the platform, and a thousand journalists on either side. As each State delegation arrived, bearing huge banners, accompanied by bands, the applause and yells of dissent drowned the music. Many of the Western delegates were provided with megaphones. Mr .Roosevelt was meanwhile installed at a hotel, and a private telephone enabled him to personally command his i'oretis at Vhe LrnvvvxAlon. Dr. McGavic, Roman Catholic Bishop of Chicago, opened the proceedings with .prayer. , ~.,'■' The Assembly rose and repeated the Lord's Prayer. Then Governor Hadley, standing on a chair, moved that the roll be amended by the removal of eighty names of Mr Taft's delegates, and the substitution of those of Mr Roosevelt, who he claimed had really been elected.

Governor Hadley was constantly interrupted by shouting in the galleries. Mr Watson, Mr Tat't's floor leader, replied. Mr Rosewater, the Chairman, rejected Governor Hadley's motion. There were renewed disturbances when the Taftites discovered that the Roosveltites had transferred thensupport for the Chairmanship from Governor McGovern, who was the •nominee of La fdloH-es' party, to Elihu Root, the other nominee. A long series of humorous speeches on the merits of the rival candidates were concluded by the delegates being called on individually. The uproar was renewed as each questionable vote was called. The election resulted: — . Elihu Root 558 votes. Governor McGovern 502 votes. Tho election closed in a pandemonium of cheering and band-playing. ' Many left the building. Mr Root appealed to the Convention to postpone its personal differences. He recited the achievements of Mr Taft's administration, particularly the Trust prosecutions.^ The Convention then adjourned. The disposition of the negro delegates consiinucs doubtful.