The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-10-19
FISTS CAMEIN PLAY.

The Democratic F'Itnnbeau Club Falls Out
Over VeaIe and sloat-
There was a battle at the rooms Of the
Democratic liam beau club last night
No one was killed, but more than one
Of the members carried away bumps to
remind him Of the occasion.
The trouble arose between the NeaIe
and Sloat factions Of the local Democracy
There had been, as the JOURNALS read
ers know, a warm contention in the Dem
ocratic county central committee about
the endorsement Of a legislative cAndi-
date. One faction favored the endorse
ment Or Col George w Neaie, the Re
publican nominee and the other advOcA-
ted placing H. J. Sloat. the P0puIist nom
inee on the ticket After a wrangls the
committee ad fourned and the executive
committee met and endorsed the P0puli5t
nominee just in time to file the nOmina-
ton papers.
The action Of the executive committee
naturally created some Indignation IN the
NeaIe faction and il eliminated last night.
The bloat faction Induced him to 60 be-
fore the Democratic F4ambeau club and
make address at its meeting last ght.
The trouble was started when Mike
Heery moved that future meeting OF
the club be opened for the purpose OF
hearing the candidates.
One of the Populist faction moved that
all future meetings be open fer candI-
dates, but the amendment was not enter
tanned.
Then motion was made to allow Mr..
Sloat to address the meeting and
he was introduced. He had only
said few words when one Of the Veale
faction moved 70 adjourn. The
chairman interrupted the speaker to put
the motion, which carried with a whoop
The Sloat crowd were mad. and almost
as soon a. the adjournment was an
nounced, fists We're in the air. People
were knocked down. noses smashed
and even knives drawn, but the Veale
faction finally prevailed and the dis
turbing element was elected and the
doors locked.
After the tempers of the opposing
crowds had somewhat cooled the doors
were opened again and the Neaie fac
tion allowed the Sioat men to elect
Harry Staley chairman, and Nj. Sloat
then introduced and made
his speech without further inter
ruption, but he will probably not
attempt to address the Democratic Flam-
beau club again.
No one was seriously hurt in the melee
and after the meeting WAS over the mem
bers Of the opposing factions shook
hands.
John Schmidt the president Of the
club said today. II ana very sorry the
trouble occurred and it all came from an
attempt Of the Populists to capture the
meeting. The Flambeau club il a Dem
ocratic organization anc there is not a
bit of doubt that there are q majority of
Democrats iii the club who are in favor
Of a straight ticket The club
meetings are not open to out
siders and as soon as r came in
last night asked why so many Popu-
lists we're there and I knew they were
going to try and capture the meeting.
They did not do it and our club will still
be = Democratic organization. Things
did look pretty bad for little while and
some of the members had their wives
there and the women were scared SIoat
did speak but he did not speak to the
hambeau club as an organization but a
new meeting was organized
Albert Earnest saids The trouble was
between the Veale and Sloat crowds and
things looked pretty bad but no one was
badly hurt"
r. J. Sloat said, Il have nothing at all
to say about the trouble