The daily enterprise. [volume] (Livingston, Mont.) 1883-1884, 1884-09-16
THE DEMOCRATIC FRACAS.
A Sketch of What Occurred at the COun-
ty Convention.

Nolan says, 'We have met the enemy and
we are his'n'' OF all the several conven-
tlons l have watched, that from which I
have just returned, has been in all respects
the most abominable and unsatisfactory.
Readers o. the ENTERPRISE are pretty
generally acquainted with what the twelve
delegates from Livingston, with their
friends from other precincts in the county,
asked to represent them on the ticket NOM
mated at the county democratic convention
held yesterday and to-day at Bozeman.
They wanted representation in both
branches of the territorial Legislature
Judge J A. Savage for the council and
one or two of the three members of the
lower branch of the legislature This de-
mand had been openly made for months
past; it was generally understood and was
conceded to be but fair demand, and one
that would be readily granted That
was still the talk when the delegation
reached Bozeman on Sunday and still
It's fairness was acknowledged and the
concession promised. Noplace was asked
on the roster of offices of emolument,
and candidates for those places seemed
delighted at the prospect that Livingston
and the eastern part of the county had no
opponents to offer them. On Monday the
convention met III the court house at noon
and effected a temporary organization.
Walter Cooper, chairman of the county
committee. called it to order and STUN
bled through the trying ordeal of writ
ten speech. Judge Savage, of Livingston,
was elected temporary chairman with lit
tie opposition, and Mr.. Story, of Puett,
Mr.. Allen, of Big Timber and Mr.. Mcleod,
Of East Gallatin, secretaries, There were
secretaries enough certainly Messrs.
Monroe, of Bozeman, Mintie, of Livingston,
Fly of Central Park were appointed a
committee ON credentials, and Hendry of
Livingston, Armstrong of Bozeman, and
Robinson of East Gallatin, committee on
permanent organization and order of bust
ness. The convention then took an ad-
jOurnment to meet at the Palace Theatre
in the afternoon. Upon reassembling the
committees presented their reports, which
were promptly adopted. As promptly
did the convention decide that the tenn
porary officers be made permanent officers
of the convention Then the trouble be- |
gan-as unexpectedly as tightening from
a cloudless sky. The selection of a
candidate for the territorial council was
first in order l had not supposed that j.
A. Savage's name for the position would
meet with any opposition worthy of the
name. Frank K. Armstrong, of Bozeman,
was placed before the convention and then
Judge Savage was nominated by F. L.
Nintie in a strong speech. Balloting be-
gan and proceeded to close. As an
nounced by the chair (Dr. Monroe had
taken the place Of Judge Savage, who was
in that ballot an interested party the vote
stood "a for Savage and "a for Armstrong
"a tie; tally keepers on the floor of the
convention made it "a for Arm
strong and % for Savage. My
opinion is that the latter count was
correct and that Savage was beaten by an
organized opposition ''from the turn loose"
However, another ballot was taken 1t |
stood 26 for Armstrong, % for Savage and
/ for DR.. Monroe. On the first ballot |
Savage did not vote and Armstrong voted
for himself; ON the second each candidate |
voted for his opponent. The result was
an unequivocal defeat for the one candi-
date upon which eastern Gallatin county
had especially staked its strength. Did
we feel sore! Rather. Did We gnash
our teeth, fguratively speakingl Well,
somewhat. There had been the basest
kind Of a combination at work to defeat
our just and Insignificant request;
that was apparent to the dullest
The Livingston del
egation was in majority for prompt
from the convention. In fact
they took no part in the next order of
business and majority of its members
never cast another vote in the convention.