The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-10-23
Tho Tvo-inch Plank and tho Junta.

Don DIcKINsoN's efforts to maintain his
position Us leader and boss OF the Michigan
Democracy were described in a very inter-
esting letter which THE Sun published on
Friday Of last week. Since that time Mr..
CLEyELAND'S Postnaster-General has met
his enemies in general engagement. and
he is theirs.
In the local politics Of Detroit Mr.. DICK
NsoNs supremacy has been overthrow by
movement led by WILLIAM G. THOMPSON.
Mr.. THoMPsoN appeared as candidate for
the Democratic nomination for Mayor. The
preliminary canvass developed two fac
tons. Ono was faithful to the Junta. as
Mr.. DICKINSON and his supporters In the
State Central Committee are styled in Mich
igan. The other faction aimed. first. at the
nomination Of Mr.. THOMPSON for Mayor.
and, secondly. at the destruction Of Mr..
DICKISsoN's power and influence in the
councils Of the party's State organization.
The City Convention was held in Harmonic
Hall on Champlain street, an edifice that for
this occasion could not have borne less
appropriate name. The delegates to the
Convention were overwhelmingly for
THOMPSON. but the Junta had control Of the
admission tickets. and there seems to have
been plan on their part to exclude some or
all Of the anti Dickinsonians. A high fence
with gate In it had been constructed right
across the middle Of the hall. and the gate
in this fence. as well as the outside door Of
the hall, was guarded in the interest Of the
Junta. A squad Of twenty-five policemen
had been summoned to preserve order.
Just before the time appointed for the
meeting OF the Convention. an attacking
party Of about one hundred THOMPSON del
OF admission. entered q building near by
and ran long plank from third-story
window to the sill Of q window Of Harmonic
Hall just opposite. Some gained entrance
to the hall by means of this narrow
and lofty bridge. Others brought
ladders and formed scaling parties.
The capture OF the hall by the
THOMPSON delegates. at the risk OF
their necks and future political usefulness.
decided the fortunes Of the day. When the
small minority Of anti-THoMPsoN delegates
presented themselves with tickets at the
gate Of Mr.. DICKINsoN's fence inside OF the
hall. they found the enemy already pos
sessing the stronghold. Under orders from
the Junta the minority thereupon with
drew to meet in the basement and to make
nominations OF their own.
THOMPSON. therefore. was on top. and he
received the regular Democratic nomina-
ton for Mayor OF Detroit. Don DICKINSON
and the Junta were In the basement. ex-
tracing such comfort rs they might from
the situation. The basement convention
was addressed by the ex-Postmaster-G GEN
eral in speech described by the impartial
correspondent Of the Chicago Inter- Ocean as
"a feeble effort. which clearly showed that
he was chagrined and disheartened at the
developments Of the day" We have seen,
as yet. no printed report Of Mr.. D1cKINsoNs
remarks.
This local incident is generally regarded
as settling the question OF the Hon. Don
D1cKNsoN's leadership Of the Michigan
Democracy. The two-inch plank defeated
him. He Is running his own candidate for
Mayor Of Detroit In opposition to the regu-
larly nominated candidate Of the party. 1t
may DO added. as lending little touch of
humor to the situation. that the Junta or
Dickinsonian candidate for Mayor of De-
trolt is described as "a high protection
Democrat"