Newspapers / The Enterprise (Williamston, N.C.) / Aug. 9, 1912, edition 1 / Page 3
Part of The Enterprise (Williamston, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
OPENING OF BULL MOOSE CONVENTION THE GATHERING 18 LARGE AND DELI-iATES ARE FILLED WITH ENTHUSIASM. • BEVERIDGE IS CHAIRMAN Governor Johnson, of California, la Slated to Be Roosevelt's Running Mate.—Senator Dixon Opens Con vention.—Many Women Present. Chicago.— The Drat session of the first convention of the new National progressive party, of which Col. Theo dore Roosevelt is sponsor, was held in the Coliseum Monday and while the setting was attended by all of the uaual ceremony and paraphenalla of a national political gathering, the actual proceedings were suggestive of a love-feast. Not a dissenting voice was raised during the session. The question of negro representation from the South had caused friction earlier in the day in the national committee, but was no echo of this fight on the floor of the convention. The delegates came into the hall singing and shout- Mr' Iff • v m ' 7 >' .J THEODORE ROOSEVELT. ing in their delight at the birth of the new party, and three hours later left the building in the same happy frame of mind. Although green hands were suppos ed to De at the helm, the machinery of the convention worked smoothly and efficiently. There was no roll call of delegates, but the delegate sec tion of the floor, arranged in tbe same manner as at the Republican national convention a few weeks ago, and ac commodating nearly 1,100 people, was entirely filled. The alternate section, also, had its full quota of spectators as at the Republican gathering, but when the proceedings began the gal leries had few empty seats. The con vention leaders were enthusiastic over the showing made in the Coliseum and made the claim that no better look ing. more substantial set of delegates was ever seen on the floor of a nation al political convention. Work of the national committee on contested delegates cases, caused a delay of nearly three-quarters of an hour In the assembling of the conven tion. During the wait the delegates amused themselves with songs and yells composed for roe occasion, while a band up near the flag-draped steel rafters, and a Grand Army fife and drum corps on the stage, vied with each other in playing patriotic airs. There was a grdat cheer as Sena tor Joseph M. Dixon, national chair man of the party, rapped for order. This was repeated, later when the call for the convention was read, and there was even greater enthusiasm The Hall Gaily Decorated. Chicago.—The hall was gaily dec orated with flags and bunting. Large canvass portraits were a feature of the decorations. Back of the stage were thoae of Washington, Jefferson - and Lincoln. At the left of the stage was a portrait of Hamilton and at the right one of Andrew Jackson. Sus pended from the bend gallery at the far end of the hall where all could see, was an oil painting of Colonel Roosevelt. Over the main entrance was a stuffed bead of a splendid speci men of a bull moose. Given Enthusiastic Welcome. Chicago.—Colonel Roosevelt arrived at 8:30 a. m. Monday. He was t,lven Mi enthusiastic welcome and harried to headquarters in the Congress hotel. The crowd cheered as the colonel stepped from the train. Standing in his automobile In front of the hotel, Colonel Roosevelt said: "I am con vinced that the people will not stand for the convention of aeven weeks ago, especially as It was against the inter ests of tbe people. By November tbe men nominated at that convention will not be a factoi in th# race." ■ I I ' , I \ JOSEPH M. DIXON. when Farmer Senator Albert J. Bev- ' eridge of Indiana waa presented as the choice of the national committee , for temporary chairman. The formal ity of electing Senator Beveridge wins not necessary, and amid renewed ex citement he waa escorted to a place on the stage, decorated with a gold badge and handed the convention gavel. Senator Beveridge then delivered his keynote speech. The temporary chair man was given the closest attention throughout. A decided feature of the conven tion was the large number of women delegates. This called forth great cheering when the temporary chair man reached that part of his speech advocating suffrage. A bl£ yellow banner inscribed "Votes for Women," was hung from one of the balcony rallß. Massachusetts gave ono of l.er women delegates a place on the reso lutions committee which will draft the party paltform. The committee on resolutions which will submit the platform to the Nr tlqnal Progressive convention was named by the various State delea'a tions. William S. Pearson, Nortel Carolina was named as a member of,, the com mittee. Miss Alice G. Carpenter of Honton named by the Massachusetts delega tion as a member of the committee on platform, is said to be the ilrat women to fill such a place at a national po lltical convention. Miss Carpenter has been active as sociological worker and also as a writer. The new national committee which takes the place of the provisional committee, was named. The committee Includes arong oth ers J. N. Williamson, North Carolina, and Thomas Lee More, Virginia. Besides naming national committee men and members of the resolutions committee, the business dtapntci.d by state delegations Monday Included tbe following: Virginia named R. B. Murn'ay chair man, Walter Graham on credentials; Col. J. S. Browning on permanent or- H. W. JOHNSON ganlzatlon and W. H. Moorman on rule*. r ~ ~ For Vice President, Gov. I limn W. Johnson of California For permanent chairman, Ben B. Linsay of Denver. This slate was virtually agreed to by National Progressive iea').jM, and met with the approval of Colonel Roosevelt. Afternoon Before Delegates Arrive. Chicago.—lt waa afternoon before the delegates began to reach the hall In increasing numbers. They came in shouting In their enthusiast. Three cheers were ready for almost any proposition suggested. Califor nia's delegation, carrying the same banner which they used at the re publican convention and each mem ber with a red bandana about his neck, was greeted with prolonged cheers. The band regaled the aasem-' blage with some popular and patroitlc airs. Colonel West; Hiram Ea«t. Chicago.—ln the event of Governor Johnson's nomination It is planned to have him take the stump in the East, while Colonel Roosevelt is campaign ing through the West. The Gover nor's qualifications as a campaigner were aald to be a strong factor In his favor. When Colonel Roosevelt reach ed Chicago Monday morning he put in a stormy two hours before he suc ceeded in straightening out the tangle ovfr tbe contesting negro delegates from tbe South. HEME SOUNDS KEY NOTE 8F PARTY i . FORMER BENATOR FROM INDIANA ] BLAZES THE BULL MOOBE I TRAIL. I , ! HE ENLISTS FOR THE WAR ' l I The Senator Promisee That If Entrust ed With the Power, There Will Be Reforms That Are Reforme.—Euthu alastie Audience Hears Speech. Chicago.—Former Senator Bever idge of Indiana, temporary chairman of the convention. In Bounding '.he keynote of the new party, made this characteristic speech In which he said in part: "The first words of the constitution are, 'We are the people,' and they declare that the, constitution's pur- i pose is to 'form a perfect union and to promote the general welfare.' To do just what is the very heart of tbe Progressive cause." Mr. Beveridge told In detail the purpose and program of the Progres sive party. "Abuse," he said, "will only strengthen It, ridicule only has ten its growth, falsehood only i>peed Its victory. "Knowing the price we mud pay, ALBERT J. BEVERIDGE. the sacrifice we must make, the bur dens we must carry, the assaults we must endure —knowing full >vell the cost —yet we enlist and we enlist for the war. For we know the justice of our cause, and we know, too, Us cer tain triumph." "We stand for a nobler America. We stand for an undivided nation. We stand for a broader liberty, n ful ler justice. We stand for social brotherhood as against savage indi vidualism. We stand for an intelli gent co-operation instead of a reck less competition. We stand for mu tual helpfulness Instead of mutual hatred. We stand for equal rights as a fact of life instead of a catchword of politics. "We stand for the rule of the peo ple as a practical truth instead of a meaningless pretense. We stand for a representative government that rep resents the people. "We mean to make laws fit condi tions as they are and meet the needs of the people who are on earth to day. That we may do this we found a party through which all who be -WCVe with us can work fcith us, or rather, we declare our allegiance to the party which the people them selves founded. "For- this party has grown from the soil of the people's hard neces sity. It has the vitality of the peo ple's strong convictions. The people have work to' be done and our party ta here to do that work." Mr. Beveridge said that notorious bosses are in the saddle of both Old parties, and that iinder this boss sys tem, no matter which party wln«>, ihe people seldom win, but the bosses al most always win. "The South has men and women as genuinely progressive and others as Southern Negroes Were Barred. Chicago. Every Southern negro who raised a contest for a seat in the national convention of the new pro gressive party was barred by the con cluding action of the national com mittee. While the permanent roll call of the convention had not been com pleted, yet it appeared that there would be only one negro on the con vention floor. He was in the Pennsyl vania delegation. Negroes from Flori da, Mississippi and Alabama declared they would carry their contests to the committee on credentials. Steel Tariff Bill Goes to Preeldent. Washington.—The iron and steel tariff bill received the signatures of Speaker Clark and Acting President of the Senate Bacon, and went to Pres ident Taft for Its inspection. This is the first of the tariff revision bills passed by the Democratic-Progressive alliance in the Senate, to reach the Chief Executive and close frien4s of the President express the conviction that he will veto it, because no inves tigation of the Industry has been made by the tariff board. t genuinely reactionary as thpse in oth er parts ol the country. "Yet for all known reasons, these sincere and honest Southern progres sives and reactionaries vote together in a single party which is neither pro gressive nor reactionary.' They vote a dead tradition and a local fear, not a living conviction and a national | faith. They vote not for the Demo cratic party, but against the Repub lican party. They want to be free from the condtilon; they can be free from it through the National Progres sive party." i Mr. Beveridge said American busi ness is uncertain and unsteady com pared with the business 9f other na tions, "What, then," he asked, "must we do to make American business better? We must do what poorer na tions have done. We must end the abuses of business by striking down buusiness Itself. We mußt try to make little buslneß*- big, and all business honest instead of striving to make big business little and vet letting It re main dishonest As the Sherman law now stands no two business men can arrange their mutual affairs and be sure that they are not lawbreakers. This Is the main hindrance to the lm-1 mediate and permanent revival of American business. Under the de- ! crees of the court, the oil and the to bacco trusts still can raise prices un justly and already have done so. "Such business chains and legal paradoxes as the American suffers from can be found nowhere else In the world." The speaker declared the Progres sive party will accomplish reforms vl- | tal to American business. "We mean to put new business laws on our statute books which will tell American business men what they j can do and what they cannot do. The next great business reform we must hive to steadily Increase American prosperity Is to change the methods of building our tariffs. The tariff must be taken out of politics and treated as a business question instead of a po litical question. The greatest need of business is certainty. But the only thing certain about our tariff is un certainty. Next to our need to make the Sherman law modern, understand able and just, our greatest fiscal need is a genuine, permanent, non-partisan j tariff commission,the speaker said. "There has not been and will not be any sincere and honest effort by the old parties to get a tariff commission nor to take the tariff out of politics. "A tariff high enough to give Am erican producers the American mar ket when they make honest goods and sell them at honest ■prices, but low enough that when they sell dishonest goods at dishonest prices, foreign competition can correct both evils, a tariff high enough to enable American producers to pay workingmen Ameri can wages and so arrange that tho workingmen will get such wages: a business tariff whose changes wl'l be ! so made as to reassure business in stead of disturbing It —this is the tar iff and the methods of its making in which the Progressive party belljves, for which it does battle and which It proposes to write Into the lawn of the land." Abolition of child labor In factories, mills, mines and sweatshops and a plan for old-age pensions werj In cluded in the Progressive platform by the speaker who incidentally favor ed woman suffrage. Lindsey For Permanent Chairman. ! Chicago.—Judge Lindsey's name will be presented to the committee on permanent organization by a number of Its most influential members and It was said that his selection by the committee was virtually assured. The judge Is a former Democrat, and Is of Southern parentage, and it was felt that his selection would appeal to the South. Colonel Roosevelt Baid be fore he left Oyster Bay that he favor ed the selection of a Southern Demo crat as vice presidential candidate. The field was canvassed carefully by loaders of the new party and It 1b un derstood that the Colonel's suggestion was abandoned, only when It became evident that it was impossible to de cide upon the available man. It was said that sentiment among the dele gates In favor of Governor Johnßton was so strong that his choice as Col onel Roosevelt's running mate was virtually assured, and that the leaders who predicted his nomination were merely voicing the opinion of the con- j ventlon. Raid Office, Haul Out Jewelry. Atlanta, Oa. —In a raid on the law offices of Judge George F. Gober, city j and private detectives seized diamonds and other jewelry valued at SI,OOO, alleged to be part of the loot taken in the "diamond trunk robbery" last April, when more than $30,000 in 1 gems was stolen from a salesman's trunk in transit from a hotel to the railway station. The robbery was al leged to have been committed by j George Wrenn and two others, all of | whom have been arrested. Will Not Btand For Tariff Board. Washington.—Notice was served on the Senate that under no circum stances would the bouse agree to a continuation of the tariff board. Pro vision for the board had been placed by the senate in a number of tariff measures, but to each the house has presented an unyielding front. Sen ate leaders were notified that their Insistance would delay adjournment House conferees on all the bills con taining the senate amendment provid ing for the tariff board have been la> structed not to yield. TUESDAY'S SESSION OF THE CONVENTION RIOT OF'CHEERS FOLLOW ORAM. ATIC ENTRANCE OF COLONEL INTO COLISEUM. CROWD CHEERED AN HOUR Session Was Given Over To Roose velt Who In Addition to His "Con fession of Faith" Answered Question As to Attitude on Negro Question. Chicago.—The second day's session of the National Progressive conven tion was given over almost entirely to Col. Theodore Roosevelt Who In addf tlon to delivering his long awaited "oonfeSßion of faith," answered at some length and with a good deal of earnestness a question as to his atti tude on the negro question. The delegates cheered Colonel Roosevelt for more than an hour when he appeared suddenly and rather dramatically upon the platform of the Coliseum. The rafters fairly rang with the noise of the demonstration. While awaiting the Colonel's arrival, most of the delegates had joined in an impromptu song that they would fol low him wherever be should choose to lead. This was the spirit of the recep tion accorded the former President when he reached the convention hall, and It was the spirit with which his advanced ideas of progressiveness were received as fast as they were ut tered. The session, however, was not without Its thrill. A photgraphlc flashlight explosion Bet fire to one of the smoke retaining bags hung among the decorations above the crowded balcony, and for a time there was ner vousness which it was feared might lead to a panic. Temporary Chairman Beveridge and Colonel Roosevelt called to ev erybody to remain quiet and the band started to play as two firemen climbed up Into the steel girders of the roof, snachlng the burning bag back from its place before the flames reached the Inflammable decoratlonß running along the entire gallery, and extinguished the fire. This act was followed by a distinct relief and a round of cheers. The doors of the convention hall had been thrown open to the public after Colonel Roosevelt reached the Coliseum and the big auditorium held one of its greatest crowds. The rush for places was bo great that the fire marshal soon ordered the doors closed again. There were thrills too, when Col onel Roosevelt was interrupted several times with questions. The same spec tator In the gallery who fired the query at former Senator Beveridge, demanded to know of the Colonel "what about the liquor traffic?" The query came at the close of the lengthy explanation of the speaker's attitude on the negro question and Mr. Roosevelt received it with dis tinct impatience. As the delegates were yelling "shut up" and "put him out" Colonel Roose velt waved his hand toward the man and said: "Oh, go to a primary school, or something." * Then he added: "Let me get along with my speech." There were cheers and cries of "you're all right." "And please," added the Colonel, "let this now be as much of a mono logue ns possible." When the Colonel had concluded the convention proceeded at once to adopt the report of the committee on credentials and also a rule requiring that all rsolutions submitted from the floor be sent to the resolutions enm mittee without debate. Permanent organization, was postponed until Wed nesday, when the platform also is to be adopted, and Colonel Roosevelt and a running mate nominated for Presi dent on the new third party ticket, i Despite the fact that Colonel Roose j velt was expected to reach the con vention hall soon after noon, dele gates to the National Progressive gathering were slow again in reach i ing their seats. At 10 minutes to 12, there were not more than 200 deelgates on the floor. The galleries also were slow In filling up. A great crowd of spectators and 1 delegates had remained at the head quarters hotel eager to see the Col onel start triumphantly, for the con vention or to accompany him on the j trip. The New York delegation ; marched in at 11:55 a. m„ with a brass band In the lead, playing the inevitable convention tune, "Every body's Doin' It." As 12 o'clock approached the dele gates began to pour into the hall from all sides. A number of the del egations had formed an impromptu parade downtown had marched to the convention. It was 12:47 when nan Bev " eridge announced the arrival of Col onel Roosevelt. This was enough for the degelates and the galleries. They Jumped to their feet and cheered. A minute later the Colonel appeared on the stage almost as if by magic. ROOSEVELT SPEAKS TO Sill MOOSE COLONEL'S BPEECH BEFORE DEL. EGATES CONSUMED ABOUT 2 1-4 HOURS. THE "CONFESSION OF FAITH" Btrlkea Out Into New Ground, Advo cating Some Munru Which He Think* Will Be Denounced Aa Either Boclaliatlc or Anarchlatic, Chicago—Colonel Roosevelt's speech before the delegates Tuesday after noon consumed the better part of 2 1-4 hours. He was listened to dur ing its delivery with great attention. He said in part: "The actions of the Chicago con vention, arfd to an only less degree of the Baltimore convention, have shown in striking fashion how little the people do rule under our present conditions." In order to assure this popular election of Senators, the short adoption of presidential primaries, poular election of Senators, the short ballot, an efficient corrupt practices act, qualified use of the Initiative, ref erendum and recall. The recall should be applied to admlnstrative officers. Mr. Roosevelt asserts that the adop tion of these new methods of political administration is not antagonistic to representative government. Under the head of the courts and the people, Mr. Roosevelt strongly emphasized the necessity of the sov ereign people preserving a check on every branch of public service. Under this head Mr. Roosevelt rehearses his now well-known views regarding the courts. "The American people, and not the courts, are to determine their own fundamental policies." This doeß not mean that the people are to interfere in caseß which involve mere ly questions of Justice between indi viduals except that "means should be devised for making it easier than at ; present to get rid of an incompetent ; judge." In addition to punishment for wrong doing by the trusts, the Imperative I demand is effective and complete reg ulation. The views of President Van Hise of the University of Wisconsin, 1 in his scientific work on trust regula- I tlon, are In harmony with the program of the National Progressives. "The present conditions of business cannot j be accepted as satisfactory." The reason for this Is explained, In Mr. t Roosevelt's opinion, by the fact that "those dealing with the subject have attempted to divide Into two camps, each as unwise as the other." | Referring to the opening sentence of his address, namely, "that we are now In the midst of a great economic ' revolution," Mr. Roosevelt presents ! an advanced and comprehensive plan to Insure the rights and better condi ® tions for labor. He gives It the pnra * mount place In his speech. "The first ' charge upon the Industrial statesman ship of the day," he said, "Is to pre vent human waste. The dead weight of orphanage and deplted craftsman ship, of crippled workers and workers suffering from trade diseases, of cas -1 ual labor, of insecure old age, and of household depletion due to Industrial conditions are, like our depleted soils, our gashed mountain-sides and flood ed river bottoms, so many strains up ' on the national structure, draining the reserve strength of all industries, and ' showing beyond all preadventure the public element and puublic concern ' in Industrial health." He proposed several specific methods for preserv ing and Improving "our human re ' sources, and therefore our labor power." "The cost of living" says Mr. Roose velt, "has risen during the last few years out of all proportion to the in —crease of most salaries ~and wages." What is first necessary is "fearless, Intelligent, and searching inquiry into the whole subject, made absolutely by a non-partisan body of experts with no prejudice to warp their minds, no private object to serve, who shall recommend any necessary remedy heedless of what interest may be hurt thereby, and caring only for the Inter ests of the people as a whole." Mr. Roosevelt declares that our present bank currency based on gov ernment bonds is unscientific, and urges the adoption of a system which shall provide "elestlclty in the credit and currency necessary for the con ' duct of business, free from recur ring panics." The control of such a " system should be in the hands of the " government, and must be free from 5 "manipulation by Wall Street or the 1 large interests." 1 In summing up the specific policies 5 expounded in hiß address Mr. Roose velt spoke as follows: ' "Now, friends, this Is my confes " slon of faith. I have made It rather 1 lops, because I wish you to know just what my deepest convictions are on 1 the great questions of today, so that ' If you choose to make me your stand ard-bearer In the fight, you shall make your choice understanding ex actly how I feel—and if, after hear ing me, you think you ought to chooße some one eUe, I shall loyally abide by your choice. I say in cloa -1 lng: We atand at Armageddon, and we battle (or the "liord."
The Enterprise (Williamston, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Aug. 9, 1912, edition 1
3
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75