The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-07-19

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Evan +. Howell. Judge J. ]. Hunt, ex-
Representative Jackson Of Heard county,
J. w Robertson of Habersham Hon Tom
Crenshaw, Col. W. A. HUFF of Bibb. ex-
Representative Mcbride Of HaraIson,
frank Colley. Representative Middle
Drooks OF Newton, Congressman Charlie
Moses, Congressman Lon Livingston. ex-
Congressman II. r. Harris and IL H. Carl
ton Judge Hamp McWhorter, Hon. Steve
Clay, Senator Felix Corput, Speaker w. Il
flemlng, solicitor Tom Atkinson, Daisy
Frlce OF Macon, Col. Tom Lyon, Judge Al
Ian Fort, Editor Clark Howell. Senator 7.
X. Whitley, Hewitt Hall Of Coweta and
a dozen other members Of the legislature
OF more or less prominence
Notwithstanding the programme was
cut and dried, the convention came very
near breaking up in a row at the outset,
Just after the conclusion of Chairman
Walsh's speech. the most noticeable fea-
ture of which was his attack on the ad-
ministration and his declaration that he
nor any one else connec ted with the move
mont, was after office The populists
seemed to be looking for some trap. and
Congressman Moses, as had been agreed
upon at the caucus, moved that all reso-
lutlons be referred to the committee on
resolutions without debate.
Il move we table that mo-
tion,' cried Mr. James Barrett.
We want no muzzling in this conven-
ton. We want everything fair and above
board"
There was a wave of applause at this,
but it was restricted to the populist ele-
ment. The motion was put but was de-
clared lost, at which there was call for
division from Congressman Moses.
Some confusion was created here, and
considerable disorder prevailed 1t was
finally quieted and Mr.. Barrett exclaimed,
MIR. Chairman, suppose a resolution is
introduced and the committee kills il,
how are we ever going to hear from it
again?"
This was greeted with applause
from the popullsts.
Mr. Fleming of Augusta arose to still
the waters that were beginning to get
troubled. He explained that if the com
mittee killed a resolution, the introducer
could call it up again in the convention.
With this understanding, Mr.. Barrett
was satisfied.
The meeting was about TO adjourn to
hear Senator Morgan's speech, when Mr..
Gardner of Pike, a democrat and ex-
member of the legislature, addressed the
chair. "Mr. Chairman" said he, lin or
der that we may know who We are and
whittier we are drifting l have resolu-
ton l would like to Offer" He unfolded
the resolution and began to read ii. 1t
shut the populists out of the meeting, at
which a murmur Of disapproval was
hear and Congressman Livingston and
Peter Francisco Smith Of Atlanta arose
simultaneously to a point of order. See
ing that he was about to be muzzled,
Mr. Gardner elevated his voice and read
the resolution, which was as follows:
Whereas, the democrats of Georgia
have this day assembled in this city of
Griffin, and,
Whereas, no political party can pre-
serve its principles or protect its best
interests without a strict adherence to
party organization; therefore, be it
Resolved, by the convention, that all
delegates participating in the delibera-
tions of the convention acknowledge
themselves democrats, and pledge them
selves to support the Democratic party.
The latter portion of the resolution was
fired at the convention In shout by
Mr. Gardner, who has a strong voice,
as Congressman Livingston and Mr.,
Smith were calling loudly for recognition,
and cries of 'No, no, put him out, put
him out" were being hurled at Mr.. Gard
ner from all sides of the house.
II move we adjourn shouted
a score of voices, at which Mr.. Gardner
mounted a chair, and lifting his arms,
shouted. Il am a democrat sir, and
do not believe in aff1liating with the pop
ulists in such a meeting. Every delegate
from my county is populist as no repre-
sentative gathering of democrats was
called to appoint delegates"
Nothing was said by the populists about
Mr.. Gardner being a democrat. There
We're some taunts, at which he turned
toward the speaker and shouted L know
l am a democrat, sir but still am
free silver man. 1 have been true to the
principles of the party, and have never
been known to run Off after the false
gods of populism."
'You don't know what democracy
means" yelled q big lunged populist, at
which Mr.. Gardner cried. pointing his
finger at him, Il am a democrat, true and
tried. and 1 object to associating with
vour sort. and it is for shutting you and
your kind out that L have introduced the
resolution
A howl of derision, a wild tumultuous
howl arose and circled around the
head of the excited speaker IL was
determined to howl him down and
he was determined not to be howled down.
A lull came and the chairman managed
70 hear that Mr.. Gardner was asking 10
he heard on a question of PERSONAL prlVll-
eye. He was recognized, and in lout
voice cried, Il have spoken no unkind
word of any pouhst, but 1 nave Simply
nrotested against their being admitted
INTO the meeting, and yet the insinuation
has been hurled in my face that l am
Rut no one could tell what the instnuation
was. as the murmur that had begun
among the pOpulists increased into
growl, and then, as one man, the audience
arose and yelled and shouted until Mr.
Gardner's speech was lost, except the
gestures and the facial expression, which
ehowed that he was terribly in earnest
some one on the stand called for the
resolution 1t was passed up to be re-
ferred to the committee on resolutions
Mr.. Gardner descended from the chair
quiet prevailed and the meeting adjourned
precipitously.
A renewal of this struggle was expect
cd at the afternoon session, but some-
body had a grave yard rabbits foot and
the report of the committee on resolu-
tions made by Col. Howell, the chairman,
was put through as if it had been creased.
It was passed before any one had time to
get in a word edgeways. Mr.. Blackburn
of Atlanta tried to enter a protest, but
was not allowed to do so. In the COP
fusion he called across the hall to P f.
smith of the Atlanta contingent to
know if he would support d democratic
candidate who refused TO subscribe to
tne resolutions passed ldr. Smith refused
10 answer. His refusal spoke volumes for
the spirit that was the underlying foun-
dation of the convention.