The record-union., 1895-09-30
THE DEMOCRATS' BIENNIAL CIRCUS.
1t Had Many Ringmasters, and
Clowns Galore.
An Exhibition at Armory Hall That
Was Never surpassed on the
Pacific Coast.

Talk about monkey y-and-parrot and
beer garden functions! The preliminary
session OF the Democratic City Conven-
ton, held at Armory Hall on Saturday
night, double discounts any performance
that three hundred versatile monkeys
and as many chattering parrots could
crowd into five hours of tomtoolery.
There have been some high old po-
litical gatherings here in years past
''uuder the auspices" of the Democratic
party, but in its palmiest days that party
never put up such an exhibition as 1t
gave on Saturday night. For five mortal
hours the rival factions that sought to
control the convention wrangled and
yelled, and fought. and swore, and gem
orally conducted themselves like lot OF
crazy beings, without being able to de-
eide on anything or TO do any business.
1t was Steinman and anti-Steinman,
and the convention disbanded at l O'Clock
In the morning OF the Sabbath day, after
having been in session since O'Clock the
preceding evening. and all 1t had been
able to do was to elect a Chairman TO
whom about one-half the delegates
would not listen, whom few grossly IN
suited, and whose rulings were invari-
ably hooted down.
They will try it again tonight, and un-
less the delegates have been shamed into
determination to act like men, rather
than monkeys, there is reason to believe
that instead OF one convention and one
ticket, the result will again be a divided
Democracy and rival lists of candidates
for the several offices to be filled. Indeed,
this is what several prominent Demo-
Gratis declare will be the result.
The Central Cammittee presented It's
show to q large audience. OF the 800
delegates appointed there were about 30
present, with several hundred other
Democrats and about as many Republi-
cans, Populists and persons OF other
political organizations in the galleries
and about the floor of the hall.
The rival candidates for the nomina-
ton for Mayor-Steinman, Lawton and
Leonard-were all there, each confident
OF victory.
When Chairman Beard of the City Cen
tral Committee called the convention to
order it was exactly $40 o'clock. At1hat
time but one-half the delegates had taken
their seats and it was some time before
order could be obtained.
Mr.. Beard stated that, two years ago, at
the memorable convention held in the
same hall. the present City Central Com
mlttee was elected, and ever since had
tried TO do its duty. He said it had re-
ceived the Endorsement of the Democracy
OF this city for lts untiring energy in be-
half of the party. The Democracy had
no time to lose In making experiments.
and the man 10 be nominated for Mayor
was cne who desired TO see the city OF
Sacramento progress.
4. .. Cravens nominated J. W. Hughes
for temporary Chairman. 4. NJ. Clarken
nominated c. NJ Harrison.
L. !. Woodman and w. ii. Devlin Sec
onded Hughes nomination and George
Vice (who figured so prominently IN
Republican primary election couple of
years ago. and d. }. Mannix seconded
the nomination OF Harrison.
EX-Sneriff I. w. O'Neil sent up a reso-
luton to the Secretary which he said he
wanted read TO the convention. What its
contents were could not be ascertained,
as K. ID. Stephens raised the point of
order that the only business OF the con-
ventlon at that time was the selection of
temporary Chairman.
The Chair decided the point well taken
aud returned the resolution TO its author.
THE CIRCUS BEGINS.
Great excitement followed the closing
of the nominations tor temporary Chair
man. 1t WAS brought about by Chair
man Beard asking how the selection
should be made, whether by roll-calI or
by Vlva-voce vote.
George Vice, who had constituted him.
self the leader OF the anti-Steinman fac
ton, worked himself into q frenzy at
what he thought was Boards desire TO
make the selection without calling the
roll. lie walked up to Beard and shak-
ing his finger IN the latter's face yelled,
Il tell you 10 call the rolli CAL the roll,
say, We want a square deal,"
The din kept up for some time and
MT Ifala nav,
Ninth Ward moved that the roll be called.
This was carried with a whoop
Then the delegates became quiet
enough 10 hear what Henry Meyers had
to say. be placed in nomination a young
man for Assistant Secretary.
Il call the gentleman to order,''
shouted a. c. hIinck OF the Fourth
Ward.
state yourjpOint of order" said the
Chairman,
He's got his hat on, Mr.. Chairman" :"
replied hllnck, and before he is allowed
TO participate in this convention he
should be compelled to remove it,"
The Secretary then began calling the
ron on The vote for Temporary Chairman,
but before he had called many names Il.
NJ. Clarken asked if those holding prox-
les would be allowed TO vote.
Livery delegate whose name appears
on the roII-cail should have q voice in
TINS convention" said Chairman Beard.
whether be IS present or not"
This brought forth vigorous protests
from George Nic0, Dennis Brophy. ID. !.
Mannlx and }. ). Carroll, who character
lzed the Chairman's ruling as unfair.
Ihere were yells anu cat-cRlls from all
parts OF the hall, but amid the din Beard
was heard to say:
Gentlemen of the convention, 1 am
here TO do your bidding. DO as you
please about the matter. l viii cali on
j. NJ. Clarken, who is man OF exneri-
ence in parliamentary matters. and also
IN conventions TO say whether or not it
has been the custom to allow Droxv-
holders 10 vote before the matter was re-
ported on by the Committee on Credeu-
NaIs."
WAR HORSES AIR THEIR VIEWS.
Mr.. Clarken responded by saying that
he had been honored a mum ber of times
by being sent 10 almost ali kinds OF con-
Ventions, and never knew of an instance
where proxies were allowed until after
the report OF the Committee on Creden-
tiaIs.
II. Q. Cravens agreed with Mr.. Clarken.
and said he had the same experience.
Before Ed Tesreau. the Secretary. re-
snmed the calling OF the roll. a motion
was carried that he and X. II. Hawley be
chosen as Secretaries and w j. Feather
ston and +. Ii. Pierce as Assistant Score
taries.
Again the calling of the roll was inter-
rupted by A. Mazzini, demanding to
Know II he. as a delegate-at-large did not
have right To be heard.
20 shut upr calculated delegate.
Wei. he won't shut up for you. or
ANYBODY else ~ retorted George Vice.
me delegates were required 10 arise
when their names were called, and those
selected at-large were distributed among
the various ward delegations. AS they
Lo1nel uD in ll..ara.,t ..nr.s ,f .L,o LII