The record-union., 1891-07-15
Special to the REcoRp-uN1oN.


CLEVELAND, July 14.-Although the
Democratic State Convention was an
nounced to meet to-day and continue in
session for two days, the programme pro-
vides that this day be devoted to commit
tee meetings and outdoor demonstrations
and that the convention is not to convene
in formal session until tomorrow morn
ing.
The discussion Of politicians is still all
directed to the Governorship. That
Governor Campbell will be the nominee
| of the convention tomorrow is practi-
| cally settled. The contest will be short
| and decisive, and will be concluded with
the first ballot. Governor Campbell will
receive far more than enough votes to
nominate him, but the Campbell
delegates insist that they will go on rec
ord in opposition, in order to prevent a
unanimous nomination. Thus. so far as
the convention is concerned, harmony is
deliberately rejected as an unnecessary
political commodity, and the only ques-
ton now is. Will the anti-Campbeu fac
ton carry their grievances to the polls
There have been many Wordy warfares
in hotel lobbies to-day between the Camp
bell delegates and their demonstratiYe
opponents, and in several cases the dis
putes went TO such an extent that the
admirers of the Governor answered the
threats OF the Hamilton County delegates
| by declaring that Campbell could be both
nominated and elected without the help
of Cincinnati. All these disputes are
! deprecated by both Campbell and Neal,
but their ill-effact is none the less felt in
the party ranks.
Wbila anOry wraOrla y1,-o
gress this evening in front of the ILd27J-
! dealer office between Peter Nolan, a
Campbell man, and an amateur prize
| fighter, and William and James Patter-
son, Neal delegates, all understood to be
| from Cincinnati, the lie was passed and
in an instant revolyers were drawn. a
lively fusillade followed, in which four or
five shots were fired with mild results.
An innocent bystander received one Of
the bullets, after which the weapons We're
used as clubs with more appreciable effect
on the contestants. They all received
numerous gasheS over the head and were
bleeding profusely when arrested,
This unfortunate incident tended to re-
store more philosophical feeling all
around. Party leaders ofall factions inn
mediately united in q vigorous protest
against wrangles, and tonight petty dis
putes are discountenanced by all, and a
strong attempt is being made to restore
partial harmony.
The full strength of the Campbell fol-
lowing was not appreciated until the
Governor reached the city this afternoon.
There is no doubt of my nomination
on the first ballot" he said this evening
to an Associated Press representative.
1T is simple question of addition, as I
already have the assurance from far more
than enough delegates to insure my NOM
Inatlon. l think the result, whatever it
may be, will be accepted philosophically
by all my worthy competitors, and that
the Democracy of the State will present
an unbroken front to the enemy this
fall.''
The discussion over the platform still
continues. ExCongressman Warner
and other prominent free-coinage men
are on the ground insisting that party
success can only be insured by the con-
vention declaring for the free and un-
limited coinage of silver, but they are
being vigorously opposed by Congress-
man Harter and other equally prominent
Democrats.
I'VE certainly want to keep clear of a
free-coinage silver plank" said Harter
to-day. I'm two months we now coin
S9,O0O,0OO in silver, and that is more than
the entire amount coined between 1862
and 1865. Why, free coinage would be the
ruin Of the industries of the country. The
Republicans have not made silver issue
and why should we do so? Would it not
be better TO devote our attention to the
| tariff exclusively? We can fight sue
cessfully on that issue, but it means ma
uonal defeat for the party to advocate the
| free coinage of silver"
As result of the division of sentiment
several informal conferences of Demo-
cratic Congressman and other party
leaders have been held, and the money
question was discussed with the view of
reaching an understanding on the silver
issue. A strenuous attempt will be made
TO settle all differences ON the financial
question III tho Committee on Resolu-
tions, and prevent the subject from be-
ing debated in the convention.
The committee has been in session all
evening, and the platform is practically
completed on the silver question. The
tariff plank is founded on that of last
year, and demands reduction of the
tariff, and denounces the so-called pro-
tective tariff, etc.
The platform pledges the Ohio Demo-
Gratis to aid in every way to make an ex-
hibit at the Worlds Fair.
| 1t is possible that the plank favoring
| silver viii be adopted, but if so, minor
| lty report Will be presented opposing it.
| A mass meeting of anti-CampDell dele
| gates was held this afternoon at which
! 1T was discussed whether, in the event OF
CampbelPs nomination, the opposition
should permit him to be declared the
unanimous nominee, or insist on a COM
| plete roll-ca1l, and make the record show
the opposing votes. A committee re-
! ported this evening in favor of opposing
Campbell to the bitter end. This per-
siStent opposition is the sensation of the
town tonight, and has destroyed the last
hope OF harmonious convention.
FIENDS IN HUMAN FORM.