“My name is Greenway but that doesn’t mean anything to you.  Gentlemen, Colonel Roosevelt has said that he is not going to take the nomination of the caucus and you can take it from me that he is not going to do it.  Now wait a minute.  Whoa!  Quit yelling!  I know this Roosevelt outfit and when they say something they mean it.  I followed his daddy through Cuba and I know.  I saw this boy in the first division at Cantigny and on the Toul Front and I know that he means he is not going to take the chairmanship of this temporary caucus.  There is a big misunderstanding about what you are trying to do.  I have just talked to Colonel Roosevelt and he says that he will not be a candidate for the temporary caucus, but if, after all the boys come home at the convention in November, it is still the desire of that body as a whole, he will give the matter reconsideration.” (Applause.)

Colonel Roosevelt resumes the chairmanship.

THE CHAIRMAN:  “Mr. Lindsley, the gentleman of Texas is in nomination for chairman.  I mean absolutely what I say.  I can’t do it.  I won’t serve if elected.  What you have done will always be a great memory to my family. (Applause.) I mean that, gentlemen!  I mean that!  Now is there anybody else you want to put in nomination?  I absolutely mean that for the good of the cause; you have got to do what I say on that.

“Gentlemen, I believe the nominations were reopened.”

Now I must again put the minutes by for a moment, for Bill has come to the stage and what he says doesn’t get into the minutes, although I wish his remarks were there: 

“That was pretty fine in him,” Bill said, pointing to Colonel Roosevelt.  I nodded only, for somehow this whole thing had got to me pretty strong and I felt like crying for some unaccountable reason.

“And then he gives his family the credit for all this yelling,” Bill was saying.  “We like his family all right, but say, this wasn’t to compliment his family, not by a darn sight.  Why, you know that young Colonel’s got a h——­ of a fine record himself—­”

But somebody within an inch of my ear was letting out a warwhoop for Jack Sullivan who had just been nominated for permanent chairman and I didn’t hear the last of Bill’s remark.

Sergeant Sullivan got up and tried to withdraw in favor of Colonel Lindsley, and Colonel Lindsley did the same thing and each was refused the opportunity.  Colonel Lindsley then took the floor.  “Comrades,” he said, “I want you to know that I came here for one man for the chairman of this caucus, and that man was Theodore Roosevelt.  He has refused it absolutely.  I appreciate the support that has been given to my name.  If honored with the chairmanship I shall be glad to serve, but it is important that we get to business immediately.  I am certain that Mr. Sullivan will make an excellent presiding officer.  If I had the right, I should be glad to withdraw my name in his favor.  But the point is, gentlemen, let’s get to business.  This is the greatest meeting that has ever gathered in the United States, and it is not so material who is chairman of the meeting as it is to proceed to business.”