The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-08-17

HOUSTON. Tex, Aug. 16.-The Democracy
is rent in twain and double barreled
State convention is the result. The same
scenes which were enacted in this city
four years ago. during the Stewart Hutch
ins campaign. occurred to-day. 1t was Q
foregons conclusion that 10 the Hogg peo-
pie, who had about two-thirds of the in
structed delegates. attempted to control
the convention the Clark people would
bolt. They had agreed upon this line of
policy at their secret caucuses and o-day
they carried it ont, the convention never
completing or even going into temporary
organization. The Clark faction assert
that knowing the danger of dead-l lock to
the success of Governor Hogg. the chair
man was to arbitrarily run the machine.
and his attempt to do this brought on tho
fight
When Chairman Finley assumed the
gavel and called the delegates to order he
told the delegates to smother the passion
and prejudice which had been engendered
during the bitter campaign of the past
three months and warned them of the dan
gers of divided Democracy. He an
nounced that the first thing was the elec-
tion OF temporary chairman. j. l.. Shep-
perd, of Camp county, was nominated by
the Hogg people and Jonathan Lane. of
Fayette, q contested county, by the Clark
faction. Chairman Finley ordered the sec
retary to call tho roll by counties. and
then a mighty yell of opposition went up.
Ex-senator Mattock moved that the vote
on election OF chairman he taken viva voce.
Chairman Finley ruled this out of order
and then the storm of indignation broke out
afresh. Hundreds of delegates were on
their feet wildly gestculating ana endeav-
oriug to secure recognition, while the thou
sands IN the hall were bowling like derv-
ishers. Bedlam rel gned supreme. Through
the din of voices Mattock appealed from
the decision of the Chair. With 'stoical in
difference. Finley refused to entertain the
appeal, and ordered tho secretary to pro-
ceed with the roll-call. Many Clark coun-
ties refused to vote, and the call by coun-
ties showed that Shepperd was overwhelm-
ingly elected.
Just as the result was being annouced.
ex-senator Mattock jun ped on a chair and
declared that the minority had been stlfled
and bulldozed. The Chair had, he said
violated all parliamentary law and GUS
tom, and he asked all those who favored
the election of Lane for temporary chair
man to signify 50 by saying aye" The
chimed in and q mighty shout went up
from 6.O00 throats and Mattock declared
Lane elected. In an instant the Clark ban
ner waved and then O mighty rush was
then ensued was indescribable. Men IN
angry passion were surging, pushing and
pulling at the ables and all the time yell
ing and cursing. Several fights were goin q
on IN the audience and pistols and danger
ous-lookiDg knives were fiourished. For
several minutes 1t looked rs though q
bloody scene OF carnage would be enacted.
Reporters were jostled abont and In the
melee had all they could do to look ont for
their notes and memoranda. One of them
had gained a seat Of vantage and in the
mad stampede be was hurled q distance of
thirty feet on the heads of some of the
crowd below.
At last q semblance of order was worked
out OF chaos AS though by mutual consent
the murderous-lookingp pistols and knives
were put back In pockets and each side
took half of the platform and hall Shep-
perd presiding over the Hogg convention
and Lane over the Clark legion Both
sides soon got down to business and be o. an
the work of organizaticl by appointing the
usual committees, when an adjournment
wac taken.
Caucuses were held by both factions. to-
night to map out further policy. Since
adjournment the Clark leaders have cooled
off somewhat. and several of the delegates
refuse TO act with the bolters. They say
that 1t was e conceded fact that Hogg had
nearly If not quite the necessary two-thirds
of the delegates. who had been chosen in
accordance with Democratic law and
usage; that Chairman Finley had acted
rightly, and that the Democratic State
executive committee had laid down the
law that the roll OF counties should be
called on organizing. Therefore no appeal
was In order.
Strong Speech by 8. G. Wilson.
Special TO the indianapolis Journal.