Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-01-24
TO-OAY'S PANDEMO NUN.
THE DISTRICT REPUBLICAN cox
VENTlON IN SESSION.

THE DISTRICT REPUBLICAN Gov.
vENTlON IN SESSION.
Scenes Of Wild Disorder n willard
Hasi-TWe Chairmem Presiding at
Once-The Police Come In 20 Keep
order and Finally Clear she Hail.
The District republican convention TO elect dele
gates TO the national convention at Chicago opened
tnis morning in Lively and turbulent way that
promised day full Of skirmishing OF rafting
and noisy kind. The convention was held at
Willard Hall. The hour for meeting was 10 O'Clock.
There were nearly hundred delegates and their
friends grouped in the neighoornood at that hour,
put the door was closed. Inside was the chairman
OF the central committee, Mr.. A. H. S. Davis, and
one or two other persons little after 10 O'Clock
there was
A RUSH FOR THE DOOR
os delegates who had got tired stamping their
leet 10 Keep warm outside. man at the door tried
to stop the rush. There was a scuf1e 1t was over
soon, and the delegates rushed in fuming and
raging like mountain stream that had burst It's
barriers. some OF the delegates rushed In, and
mounting Chairs, began noisy harangues. There
was mucn excitement, and IL looked Tor moment
as though there would be violence. soon, however,
placid for a moment. The trouble Was that at the
door tickets OF admission were demanded Inc
Antl-Carson, or Anti-Blaine men, declared this
was Intended to keep them out, and hence the
noisy harangues.
THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM.
AT half-past 10 O'Clock the hall was filled, and
there were some spectators In the gallery. Mr. A..
II. & Davis chairman OF the Republican Central
Committee, then as ended the stage and pped
for ord with his cane. For a few minutes the
nan was quiet. Mr.. Davis read the call Tor the
convention.
THE STORM BREAKS.
Then he called for nominations for temporary
Chairman The effect was electrical. In an instant
twenty delegates were on their feet calling at the
top OF their voices: ''Mr. Chairman" "Mr. Chair
mani" George Boston, Daniel Cahill and Fred.
Dyson were nominated as temporary chairman.
Tuen the convention lost all constraint. The dele
gates mounted the chairs, and each began Q
harangue on his own behalf. Mr.. Dan Cahill
came rushing down to the front OF the stage
SHAKING HIS FIST AT THE CHAIRMAN.
He stopped Stripped on his coat and began speech
which was drowned in the confusion. Mr.. Cahlll
Loudly declared that there would not be any gag
law.
st. Clair Smith, Perry Carson, ". c. Chase, Mar
cellus West and Others well endowed with lungs
entered the arena and contributed to the general
paDdenontum The chairman raped aud raped
with his heavy cane, but without effect. After
about nfteen minutes of this confusion some one
put motion that Dyson be elected and GAINED
that it was carried. Dyson sprang upon the plat
form followed closely by W. &. Chase. Then there
Was rush or all the delegates for the space In
front OF the stage. They came shaking their fists
and then sticks.
Dyson attempted to put a motion and so did
Davis.
You are not chairman" cried Dyson, 81 have
been elected"
"You have not,' said Mr.. Davis. Dyson put a
motion anu declared ST. Clair smith elected secre-
tary. Smith sprang upon the stage and took a
seat. Then every delegate was seized with a
Marcellus est and a dozen Carson inen got on
the stage. There was struggle there between
them and the Dyson men.
THEY CHASED EACH OTHER OVER THE STAGE
yelling all the time 1t looked as though there
would be light Then Lieut.. Amlss and half a
dozen policemen suddenly appeared and took
prevent any fistcuffs. Their presence soon re-
stored semblance OF order, but both Dyson and
Davis Persisted In their Claims as cna1rmen.
Dyson had behind him two or three strong lunsed
aunerents, and he had chair. So ne pushed his
Ga ms more effectively than Davis, who wandered
about the stage, but calne forward once IN awhile
and tapped somewhat leebly and in dis
courageu manner with MS cane. Finally delegate
made proposition tnat stephen b. Wall, secre-
tafy OF the central committee, call tne roll OF dele
gates from unconIesled districts. This PROPOSE
ton was carried by pure force or the lung power
OF the man VINO made II. Mr Wall mounted the
stand and there was order tor a minute While he
called the roll OF the first district. Then Mr..
Cahill jumped upon the reporters table and began
making "a speech counseiin, harmony. lh.s ac-
lion, however, had JuSJ the contrary effect, for
each delegate jumped upon hi, chair and began a
harangue.
again the COW ntion was
PLUNGED INTO CHAOS.
Dyson dropped his light cane and used In its
stead cluD with which some friend had provided
him. With this he thumped and thumped and
banged. The police showed disposition OF doing
some humping. too, with their clubs, and soon
little order was obtained. Meanwhile Mr..
Davis Kept Up hi, show OF playing at chair
man in one corner OF the stage. Motions
chair. Mr. Chase advised Mr.. Davis to retire
"Oh, we've got you, Mr.. Davis" he said. "Weve
got you. Younad better give In. We've got this
convention, ana we don't propose TO have any tom
AMER several motions had been hurled around,
Mr. 81: Clair smith, as secretary, announced the
following as
COMMITTEE OF CREDENTIALS.
First district, Johnson; 81, Williams; sth,
Brown; 9th, Chase; 18th, Quincy; 18th. Powell:
18TH, Cahill; 18th, Jones; Goth, Miller; 21st, AID
rich.
by the Carson men with jeers and laughter. The
committee, however. got together such credentials
as were handed to IL, and retired from the hail.
Just then Carson announced that the police had
peen ordered 70 clear the hall. This had the effect
OF quieting The crowd for moment.
TIE PRESENCE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS FAILS TO
HAVE SOOTHING EFFECT.
Then Mr.. Frederi k Douglass entered the hall
Mr.. Douglass was escorted to the platform by a
noisy mob. On the platform he came near being
run over and trampled on by delegates anxious TO
show him honor. Then interviewed several min
utes OF extreme disorder. Motions were mace to
Invite Mr.. Douglas TO address the convention.
Mr. Dyson introduced Mr.. Douglass who stood on
the edge OF the platform, with hand uplif,ed in a
oeseech1ny manner, as II imploring the convention
70 come to order
APPEALs TO THE TWO CHAIRMEN.
In few minutes there was something like order
but delegate rising made an excited speech de-
handing that Mr.. Douglass should be introduced
BY the regular chairman, Mr.. Davis Mr. Davis
compg forward said: 81 claim TO be chairman OF
the central republican committee. have declared
no one chairman OF this convention Us YETI
Then there was Wild disorder again. Half the
convention was addressing Mr.. Davis as chairman
the other half addressed Mr.. Dyson.
"Mr. Chairman" shouted q Davis man, elf you
propose 70 let Mr. Dyson exercise the ONCE to
which you were e.ected, then I want 10 know Ii.
DESIRE sir, that you introduce the Old veteran"
SIR. Dou lass was meanwhile silently petition
ing for order.
Mr.. DOUGLASS GETS A CHANCE TO PLEAD FOR ORDER
Mr.. Davis finally went through the form OF In
PRODUCING Mr.. Douglass, and there was order for
few minutes while Mr.. Douglass spoke Mr.
Douglass said that what he had TO say to-day had
no reference whatever to the question OF the
chairmanship OF the meeting. He was called out
simply to address the republican citizens OF the
District He was glad Of the opportunity OF
OF the republicans OF the District. This was one
or the most important conventions he had ever at
tended Its influence would be mere far-reachIng
than that OF any convention held in this country.
he referred TO the interests represented md as-
sembled in this city as the capital OF the nation.
They were, he sad, to some extent on trial. The
privilege OF holding such conventions as
IN