The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-09-20
BRICE IN THE BREACH.
Desperate Attack on 0hiO'S Junior
Senator in the Convention.

Enemies "A Scene of Unprecs-
dented Turmoil and Confusion.
Other Proceedings of the Demo-
cratic Convention.
Columbus, O., Sept. 19.-By a large
majority the democracy of Ohio, in
state convention assembled, to-day
reversed the pronunciamentos of
all previous state as well as ma
tional gatherings of the party in de-
claring unequivocally in favor of free sill
yer. BY vote almost as large, indorse-
ment was given through the medium of
an indirect resolution to the attitude
taken by Senator Calvin S. Brice
in the recent tariff reform
contest. The debate on these
two issues occupied nearly four hours
of the continuous session. In twelve min
utes more the entire ticket had been
nominated and the convention had ad-
journed sine die. Probably no more
dramatic scene has ever been witnessed
in any state or national convention than
that which occurred during the debate on
the amendment to the platform providing
for full nominations of United States
senator's by vote of the state conventions.
Up to the calling of the convention to or
der it had been understood by a Il but a
few of the uninitiated that the opposi-
tion to Brice had been abandoned
and that the majority report of the COM
mittee on resolutions would be allowed to
go through without amendment or pro
test This much at least was the under
standing of the senator and his immedi-
ate circle, and it was with a self-satished
air and the bearing of a victor that Brice
entered the wings and allowed himself to
be escorted by Chairman Critics to a seat
on the right of the chair in full view of
the audience.
His appearance was recognized with a
faint applause, and the convention hav-
ing been called to order, everything went
as merry as a marriage bell until the
report of the committee on reso-
lutiOns had been presented. Then the
storm clouds begun to gather, and
the glare of fOOtlights seemed TO
bring the form of the junior senator in
bold relief from his seat in the second
row of the parquet. Congressman Tom l..
Johnson arose, and ignoring the vocifer-
GUS demands that he should take the
stage, submitted the minority resolution
instructing the incoming state committee
to include in the business of the next
convention the nomination of a United
States senator.
This was the formal announcement of
} hOstilities. All eyes seemed TO turn in
} stinctivelv towards the Junior senator
, For a moment his face flushed, and he
, chewed nervously at the toothpick be
tween his teeth. Then he Strengthened
[ himself up, and his demeanOr indicated
self-possession and the utmost determine
tiOn and resolution. The representative
from the Cleveland district, however, had
little to say in addition to the formal
presentation of the minority report save
the suggestion that election of senators by
the people would bring the constituents
and their representatives in the upper
house more closely together, and that this
was a consummation necessary and very
much to be desired. 1t was the seconding
speech of John Fl. Clark of Youngstown,
one of the best orators in the state and a
bitter opponent of the Brice regime, that
sent the excitement to fever notch.
Standing just beneath the platform his
silverY hair shining in the glare Of the
footlights, with outstretched arms and
index finger quivering, hurting invective
after invective, while less than fifteen
feet away, with face pale and expression
less, sat the object of his wrath and de-
nunciation. The scene was well worthy
the brush and canvas of the painter
I
"Who has a claim on the United States
Senate for life2" he demanded, and the
audience shouted il response, mo one
mo longer is it the question, - cOntin-
ued the speaker in impassoned tones,
when senator is to be elected, what
are his talents what service has ne done
the state2 The only issue is. how much
is he worthl In this republic is a mans
head to be measured by the length Of his
purse2 Is it not true that this
question rises above men and above
party2 Do you not know that the United
States Senate has become rich mans
club, that 1t is the resting place of trusts
and understandings and combines; that
in il the sugar trust has raised its hydra
head, and, in the name of the community
Of trusts, has seized the democracy by
the throat and compelled it to stand aud
deliver2"
And so, to the accompaniment of cheers,
Kisses, cat calls, yelis and OpprObious
epithets, the impassioned orator went on,
protected by the chairman, until he had
concluded of his own free will.
Meanwhile Senator Brice sat immOya-
BILE The accuser was quivering, the
accused might be likened to a block Of
marble. No direct reference to him had
been made up to this time IL remained
for his first spokesman, Jessie NJ. Lewis
of Urbana, TO make personal reference
TO the senator that had been assaulted,
and TO plead that the democracy Of Ohio
ought not to execute man first and try
him afterwards.
Won't you defer Judgment for year."
ne asked, but the answer came in
mighty shout, mol" Then Gen. Finlay
of Bucyrus, chairman Of the committee
on resolutions, secured the floor 10 dra-
matically declare that the resolution was
an indirect slap in tho face of the man Of
all men who, in the Senate Of the United
States, mad made tariff reform a possibil-
ity, and who had stood between the peo-
pie and the Mckinley law.
Facing Congressman Johnson he de
manded do you indorse all that your
associate, Mr. Clark, has said Put
yourself on record. Let it be yes or no;
here and now.'
There was no response except from the
audience, which yelled rats" and other
choice expressions, and hooted to its
heart content.
Judge R. ID. Marshall Of Dayton made a
witty plea for peace, aud the postpone
! ment of the controversy 10 a more con-
yencut season, and then Congressman
Johnson was permitted 70 close the de-
bate. II have no i'll feeling toward or
suspicion OF Col Brice." he declared.
"He Is my friend and am counted In his
circle He visits my house and visit
his, and hope he win long continue 70 do
T2u'f ha1iaya that he bpuulI his