The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1892-09-22

The Macitowoc and Calumet delega-
lions :nen decided to use every means to
force nomination of one of the three
men before the convention. If nomlna-
ton of any of them was possible. The
effort was not TO improve Schmitz'
chances but to develop the full strength
of the strongest candidate. Up to this
time Fond du Lac and Winnebago had
been voting by the unit rule, the indivl-
dual members OF either delegation not
having cast a vote As the name of the
county was called Sam Smead would an
nounce, "Owen E. Wells, 10 votes" ana
Mayor Dichmann Geo. W. Pratt, 10
votes"
The first effort toward breaking the
deadlock was the abrogation OF this rule.
ManitNwoc and Calumet took up the
fight in favor of abolishing it. Winnie
bago came to its defense. The other
counties remained neutral. After pro-
tracted discussion the question was put
and carried by vote of % to 10. But
Wlnnebago refused to obey the instruc-
tons of the convention and Chairman
Kirwan refused to announce Its vote IN
less it was cast IN compliance with the
| directions of the convention. After re-
peated efforts to induce Winnebago to
act in accordance with the rules, an adj
jnurnment was taken to permit that dele
| 10 of a.
ton. On recovering, Mayor Dlchmann,
the chairman of the delegation, announc-
ed that as matter of courtesy Winnie
bago would set aside the unit rule. But
subsequent ballots brought no change.
1t was still Owen A. Wells II, A. j.
Schmitz IL, Geo. w. Pratt 10. Calumet
then took the lead in asking for secret
ballot This was secured without much
difficulty. The arrangements were to
have each delegate enter little room by
himself, select ticket and deposit it in
box on the secretary's desk. But this
manner of voting brought no change.
Nothing was then left but to ask the
three candidates to withdraw. There
were some objections raised to this and
the notion was changed so as to request
them to appear before the convention and
give reasons why the convention should
further consider Item as candidates.
This motion was offered by Manitowoc,
supported by Calumet and adopted I'M
animously. One half hour was given the
candidates to agree among themselves If
possible, before being cited before the
convention. Schmitz again agreed to
withdraw but the others remained obdu
rate. The half hour crept into full
hour before the candidates filed into the
hall Senator Pratt was first called upon
but insisted that Mr. Schmitz should
open as the citation emanated from Mani
towoc county. Schmltz readily agreed
| When told that his remarks were limited
to five minutes, he raised no objection
but proceeded at once to address the con-
vention. He was interrupted by Mr..
Wells who said he would accept no limit.
Mr.. Pratt said "me too in effect. Mr..
Schmitz continuing his remarks said that
the personal wishes of any man should
not be permitted to disturb the harmony
of the convention; that he was wholly in
the hands of his delegates; he had no
pledges from any Of them and they were
at perfect liberty to dispose of him as
they wished. He felt however that it was
| 20 I,n 70 Id
at this time unless those who entered the
contest with him would also retire.
Mr.. Wells and Mr. Pratt reiterated
their refusal and thus it became plain
that no accommodation of the difficulty
was possible with the three candidates
in the field. Notice was then served on
the convention by Manitowoc delegate
that a resolution would be introduced at
the evening session instructing the pre-
siding officer to report no votes cast for
any of the three candidates before the
convention. A canvass during the recess
made it quite PLAIN that this resolution
would be defeated and SO at the evening
session motion to dissolve was substitu-
ted. Leave was asked and granted, that
consideration of the motion be deferred,
so as to give the convention last chance
to come to some agreement. 1t was also
announced that if the motion for dissolu-
ton would not carry, and promise was
given by the subsequent action of the
convention that result could be reach
ed within the near future, the Calumet
and Manitowoc county delegations would
withdraw from the convention at the
close OF that evenings session. The mo-
ton and the announcement seemed like
| ly to bring things to a crisis. A member
of the Winnebago delegation asked time
for conference with his Colleagues. 1t
was granted and he, in the conference, it
is said, protested against being longer
bound to vote for Pratt. The protesting
delegate and few of his colleagues left
the hall to place the situation before Mr.
Pratt it was said. On their return it was
announced nothing could be done, but
the protesting delegate requested of the
Manitowoc delegation little more time
before pressing the vote for dissolution.
| The balloting proceeded With the same
| old refrain, and soon the gentleman who
| asked for time, privately withdrew his re-
| quest. Subsequently a further attempt
was made to reach result. The offer
| was made on behalf of the Manitowoc
delegation to cast its vote for either
Mayor Dichman or III. b. Dale. Mr.
DIchman was present and refused to have
his name considered. Mr.. Dale was not
present. Some of the Wlnnebago dele
CATION left the room with the expressed