The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-09-03
THE TRAVIS COUNTY CONTIN-
GENT KILLED LOTS OF TIME
YESTERDAY.
WILL CONSIDER FUSION PROPOSITION
The Convention Adjourned at Nine Thir-
ty Last Night, But Did Little Out
side of Making Arrangements to
Get Up Fusion Ticket.

DuDlltdH SllOSl NdHC'' III lnc hulul' VI II
county convention, ut the court house.
At times the meeting reminded him very
much of the dance of the impS ON the
Broken in the spectacular production Of
Faust" but all things have an end, and
50 did this convention. When it finally
furcd its banners and stole out into the
night air at $50 last night The States
mans convention scribe tottcrcd out into
the refreshing night air weary Of body
and as hungry as II bear from his ten
hours of attendance upon the convention.
Many of the delegates were in quite us
bad condition, physically speaking, but
as every man had to look out for him
self the scribe will waste no tears on any
Of the delegates. as he has troubles of
his own.
The convention should have met at
noon. The call was for that hour. and
the patriots and farmers met on time, but,
10 and behold Farmer JnO. Traynham,
county chairman, was not present. The
moments sped by all too rapidly and still
Not knowing when he was coming or
in what condition, the crowd did not dare
leave, and accordingly sat in the court
room rather impaticntly until nearly =
o'clock. BY this time the patriots were
weary and decidedly restless. Seeing
how restless the crowd was growing,
Farmer w. b. Brush mounted the ros-
trum and volunteered the explanation
that the cause of the delay of the convcn-
ing of the convention was due to the fact
that the executive committee, with COun-
ty Chairman Traynham, was in session
passing on the credentials of the convcn-
ton for temporary organization, and he
presumed transacting other business
looking to the organization of the con-
vcntion. Capt. Kicker called Farmer
ton, and wanted to know if he did know
what was being done, and he wanted to
know further if the convention had to
wait all day on Jno. Traynham. Mr.
Brush, in substance, informed him that
he thought the convention would, and
then everybody began the wearisome
waiting again. Ed Anderson relieved the
monotony for II few moments by organiz-
ing Il McKinlcy-Hobart club, but after
that another hour was consumed in
weary waiting. Finally Il hustle at the
door announced the arrival of Farmer
Gar Traynham, and mounting the ros-
rum just as the clock pointed to the
hour of >. he began to gather around him
Il corps of ablcbodicd scrgeants-at-arms,
Notwithstanding the fact that Col Burke
kicked mt the appointment of so many
scrgcants-at-arms, holding that it was a
reflection upon the convention. Farmer
Traynham continued his appointing. how
ever, until he had secured all the SER
gcantS-atarmS he wanted. and then told
the convention that they could 20 on with
their business. From that time until
$50 last night the convention took turns
in holding sessions and adjoulning for
IcccsscS of short duration. so that no
body could with safety leave the hail.
Parts of the convention were rather
noisy. but compared with previous con-
vcntions held by the republicans of this
county the one of yesterday was model
In the opening hours there was II little
certain lookcrson to seek safer quar-
tiers, but OH the whole the
convention passed off without any
bloodshcd. Looking around the hall dur
ing the proceedings, the writer thought
ut times that he was i'll Il populist con-
ycntion, inasmuch as so many of the
populist leaders could be seen button
hOlng the delegates ON the floor of the
convention. Later. however, he was con-
rinccd that it was not populist meet
ing by the statement of the chairman
that this is neither populist convcn-
ton nor dog fight"
alone in its deliberations. Certain pOpu-
list leaders We're as busy on the floor of
the convention as were the delegates
themselves. and before the meeting add
journed it became evident what their OF.
ject was in being there The commit
tee on platform brought in a resolution
looking to the appointment by the county
chairman of a committee of five to look
into the merits of a fusion with the pop
uiStS and other factions. This commit
tee is vested with plenary powers to
make suggestions and in case they dix
up slate they are to report their action
back to the county convention, which will
he convened at some subsequent date to
hear their report. This fusion PROPOSE
ton was adopted after some discussion.
and was about the only business of any
importance done by the convention.
though they were i'll session over nine
hours. The platform committee also en-
dorscd the work of State Chairman John
Grant and recommended the endorse
mcnt of j. w. Burke of this city to the
state convention at l. orr w OfIn Tor the
position of state chairman. Both these
resolutions We're adopted, but another
resolution endorsing Col. MakcmSon of
Georgetown for congressional honorS
from this district was voted down after
some discussion. Some of the convention
wanted to endorse w. r. Brush instead.
but it was finally settled by not endOrs-
ing anybody. After everybody was
thoroughly worn out the convention So
lcctcd one list of delegates who are to
attend all conventions that are to he held
this year and adjourned. subject to the
call of the chairman. This is about all
that was done. The convention was
firing in the extreme. and those who had
10 dance attendance upon it offered up
Il fcrvcnt prayer of thanks when il was
brought to a close. There is little doubt.
Judging from the proceedings yesterday,
hut what the republicans will enter into
Il fusion agreement if any satisfactory
arrangements can b. entered into where
by the fusion can he made of moment
to them. otherwise they will have nothing
at all to do with it. The action and re-
port of the steering committee, which
will he appointed shortly. will he await,
ed with much interest.
The convention selected Mr.. Thad e.
Bell as their county chairman for the
next two years. and they did well. as Mr.
Bell is man who will look to the inter
csts of the party whenever he can and
will make an excellent county chairman
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