Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-03
FL0RIDA'S IN A FIX.
The Alliance Men Capture the Demo-
cratic Convention and
SHOW STRENGTH AND SHARPNESS
The Outcome Liable to Be Fatal to the
Straight-Uut Dems
POLITICAL NOTES FROM ALL SOURCES
,.rrc1.,, TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH, !,

,epEcIAI TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPATcH.l
TAMPA, FLA, June beyond doubt
the Farmers Alliance has captured the
Florida Democratic Convention. That is,
the Alliance delegates elected as Demo-
crats) have measured their strength, found
that they number nearly 100, have Graded
with the minority faction, and are swing
ing everything their own way. They hold
the balance OF power, and are exercising it
with an iron hand. When the Committee
on Credentials was chosen yesterday the
anti-Mitchell men were jubilant, for they
figured it out that their side had ma or
ity of the committee, about % to 20. This
meant, they said, the seating of all the con-
testing delegations (from Duvai, Polk and
Washington counties), thus adding 3S
votes to the anti Mitchell column, and as
surfing the defeat of the Judge, But they
had not figured on the Alliance men, who
had places on the credentials committee.
They were evidently under some obligation
to somebody which it was not easy to de-
termine.
A Surprise to Everybody.
When the committee took an informal
Duval county contest it stood "a in favor of
the Mitchell delegation and Is against
This was surprise to everybody outside of
the committee The Alliance men had un-
doubtedly done the business. 1t is said
that secret deal has been made whereby
the Mitchell men in exchange for Alliance
votes have bound themselves to stand
soidly with the Alliance delegates for an
md of 4 h.. ne
the ST. Louis platform. The suddenly de-
veloped strength in the Mitchell ranks
makes this deal almost a certainty.
The Alliance holds all its caucuses and
conferences secretly, and individually
their delegates are as mum as oysters. If
the Alliance has really accomplished what
it has been working for for three years.
we must give the farmers credit for more
political shrewdness than has heretofore
been accorded them. But what Of the re-
suits? Suppose Mitchell should be nomi-
mated on platform embracing the East st.
Louis PLATFORM the straighout Democrats
in Florida would never support him. The
result would be bolt, the calling of
straightont Democratic Convention, and the
placing of another ticket in the field. There
would be repetition of the fight in South
Carolina two years ago; only in Florida the
Republicans would ally themselves with
one OF the other factlonS OF the democracy
and make the result very uncertain. At
this writing the fate of the straighout
Democracy Of Florida is trembling in the
balance.
The Alliance Men Triumph.
The convention met at 3, and then, as the
Credential Committee had not reported, ad-
iourned till p. NJ. At $50 the convention
was called to order, and the Gre
dental Committee made two re-
ports. The majority one. signed
by % out of 42 members of the committee,
recommended seating Mitchell delegations
from three contesting counties, Duval, Polk
and Washington, while the minority report,
signed by 20 members, is against them. The
report was received and 20 minutes allowed
for speeches.
Strong and vehement presentations were
made by the Democratic leaders, but of no
avail, as vote taken at 9:2O put in the
three Mitchell delegations with whoop.
The convention was in an uproar at $50, and
nothing more can be accomplished tonight.
Tomorrow will witness fight between the
Alliance and the field. So far Mitchell is
ahead, but other combinations are being
made continually, and many surprises will
be in store for them tomorrow.