Birmingham age-herald., 1895-09-25
They Scarcely Speak as They
 Pass By
THE FAlRCHILD 2 CONTEST
His Delegation Is Allowed 0ne-Fifth Represen- tation-The Excise Flank Has Been
 Carefully Planed.

 Fairchild men, the convention today was harmonious. The attendance was large, the enthusiasm great and matters were lively before and after the opening ses- sion.
 Perry Belmont, who is said to be in training for the next gubernatorial nom- nation, was temporary chairman, and in his speech he sounded the slogan of bat tie and outlined the policy of the party on the issues which will be uppermost in the fall campaign in the Empire State. By far better class Is in attendance at the convention than has been seen at a similar democratic gathering in years. The day of the thug and the saloon keepers in politics seems to be passing and men of standing in the community are taking their places. The new faces are many and the new blood infuses new life and new ideas into the proceedings. The big men of the party from all over the state are. here, but the delegates are running the convention. Tammany is fighting tooth and nail against the recog- hilton of the state democracy, but they seem to have undertaken too big a con tract Last year they succeeded in shut ting out the men who set up the rival organization in New York city but mat terS are different this year.
 The plank in the platform which will be most talked about in the coming cam paign-that relating to excise and Sun day observance, has been framed. Weeks have been spent in it's prepara- tion. and the brainy men of the party have struggled with hundreds of sugges- tions. The plank is intended to be ac- ceptable to the German Americans and other liberal minded people, without of lending the more straight-laced demo- crats. It is most cleverly WI'ded. The plank has been submitted to the German Americans and 1t is satisfactory to them It Is also satisfactory to the Tammany democrats, who announced some time ago that they were out for legislation to do away with Rooseveltism. Just how the democrats of the rural districts will take it Is question which the November election alone will solve.
 The plank Is a slight modification of the fight which was submitted by the committee of the German-American or ganization of the city of New York.
 ''The democratic party being as it has ever been strictly in favor of respectful observance of Sunday, especially by ab- staining from all save necessary labor and avocations, and yet mindful of the right of every citizen to the enjoyment of worship and comforts and recreations according to his own conscience and wishes as fas as compatible with due regards to the beliefs and desire of oth- CTS, we promise to, propose to, and will endeavor to obtain from the coming leg islature a law which will enable each community to determine for itself by popular vote whether the sale of food, beverages and other neceSsarieS shall be permitted on the first day of the week during certain hours and in a manner so restricted as not to interfere with re- ligious observance to be specified by statute"
 Senator David B. Hill did not attend the convention today, but remained in his room at the hotel. He was present at the hearing of the contests before the committee on credentials this evening and listened closely to the arguments of the replies of the Tammany orators.
 Senator Hill Is throwing his influence in favor of admitting the contestants, and so bitter is the fight by ex-Lieuten- ant-Governor Sheehan, who represents Senator Murphy, who is laid up at the hotel here with rheumatism and also Boss Croker, who Is in New York, that Sheehan and Hill scarcely spoke to each other Tammany refuses to listen to ar guments and will fight to the end against allowing recognition to be made to the men who helped defeat their local ticket last year.
 The general belief is that Tammany will be compelled to swallow the bitter pill, and that the state democracy will be given one-third of the New York rep resenta ton.
 Tammany made a strong fight in con- mittee tonight, and If the report is against them will make another fight in open convention tomorrow.
 At 12:27 D. m., Chairman James w. Hinckley of the state committee called the convention to order. Senator Hill had not arrived. Prayer was offered by
 I Tan Ia ad rln rafa to politics further than to ask that the society be united.
 Chairman Hinckley announced that he was directed by the state committee that the regular and Sheppard delegates in King county are to be placed on the roll, regulars to have two-third votes ana Sheppardites one-third.
 A resolution recommended by the state committed that in the event of a division in Kings county, the regular or Me Laughlin orga nization shall be entitled to use that party emblem to the exclu- sion of all others was unanimously adopted, on motion of Mayor Gilroy of New York
 Chairman Hinckley then announced the recommendation of the state committee that the committees be named from sen ate districts instead of from congress sional districts. It was unanimously adopted.
 Chairman Hinckley then announced as the choice of the state committee for temporary chairman the Hon. Perry Bel mont MT. Belmont took the chair at 1:23 and addressed the convention until 1:35. His references to home rule and his mention of party heroes was general ly applauded.
 When MT. Cleve1ands name was men, toned the applause lasted fully min ute. Hills name drew out another burst of applause.
 The roll call of delegates by counties was then gone through with by Secretary DeFreest. In calling the Albany county, Third district, the name of David B. Hill, who was elected there, was omitted and that of Lawrence J. Fassett was called.
 At the close of roll call of the New York delegates, MT. Fairchild rose and handed up his list of contestants. The list was referred to the committee on contested seats, when appointed. The other con tests were refused in like manner. The usual committees were appointed and the convention at 1:55 adjourned until 10 a. m. tomorrow.
 The Grace Fairchild democrats arrived in a body few minutes before 12 o'clock. In the front of them came Fairchild, Robert Grer Munroe, Maurice J. Power