The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-30
DIVIDING THE VOTE
STORMY SESSION OF THE LOUISIANA
REPUBLICAN CONVENTION.
Ex-Governor Kellogg on Top-Reed to
Have Eight Delegates and Nc
Kfnley the Other Eight.

NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 29.-The meeting of
the Republican State convention this after
noon resulted in one of the stormiest ses-
sions in the history of the party in this
State. The fight between the Mckinley and
Reed forces for four delegates at large to
the national convention at st. Louis next
June was complicated by the presence of a
very noisy faction of Republicans who care
nothing for the delegates but were inter-
ested solely in the question whether or not
the convention should indorse the Populist
sugar planter ticket or nominate separate
ticket of its own for State officers. Nc
Kinley captured four delegates in the dis
tricts yesterday. This made the Reed men,
led by Ex-Governor Kellogg. unusually anx-
ious to capture the four delegates at large
to be selected by the convention. Captain
A. T. Wimberly, the Mckinley leader, had
gained control of the temporary organiza-
ton Of the convention, but Kellogg had the
State central committee, which had ad-
journed sine die, called together again and
the control wrested from Wimberly. Ac-
cordingly, in the convention to-day, after a
four hours fight, the Reed men, with the
help of the advocates of State ticket,
elected r.. II. .Gnichard temporary cheirman.
1t was discovered then that out of con-
vention of some coo delegates, the seats of
2S0 were contested. The convention took a
recess until the credentials committee could
report. At a late hour tonight the con-
tests were still being heard.
There is very bitter feeling between the
Mckinley and Reed factions. All sorts of
rumors of bribery and corruption are afioat
Captain Wimberly made the statement to-
- -.
used against him. He says he has absolute
proof that 800 apiece was offered to the
commissioners of election in his ward to
keep him from being a delegate. He says
the party ring which is interested in keep
ing the convention from placing full ticket
in the field has placed part of the money
that is being used in the hands of the Reed
men. No one can tell what the convention
will finally do. 1t is expected, however,
that the developments will be highly sensa-
tional. If the Reed men are able to follow
up their advantage, which Is probable, X
will give Reed. four delegates. Mckinley
already has four, and 1t is claimed that the
delegates yet to be chosen. from the dis
tricts will also be equally divided between
Mckinley and Reed, giving each eight
votes from Louisiana.
The committee on credentials remained in
SESSION most of the night, and about go
delegates will be reported against 1t is
now likely that there will be two conven-
tions and consequent confusion.
Hunter, Sc; Blackburn, 81.
FRANKFORT, KY, Jan. @-No material
change occurred in the seventh ballot in
joint assembly to-day for United States
Senator. The roll call showed 1874 members
present; necessary to elect, 6S. The ballot
resulted: Hunter, 66; Blackburn, 81; Buck
ner. 81 Wilson, /; John Young Brown, l.
The balloting still continues interesting to
spectators, who crowd the lobbies and gal
leries
Tonight there Is much agitation among
the Democratic members of the Legislature
sound money Democrats insist that there
are those who were in the caucus who
feel that they have stood by Blackburn as
long as could reasonably be expected and
they want another candidate that can Sc
cure all the Democratic votes and also the
support OF Populists Poor and Erdington.
Those who are leading in the agitation for
a break insist that Senator Blackburn
knows himself that he cannot get the sup
port of TIE sound-money Democrats or Of
candidate regard Ex-Governor James Young
Brown as the most available. They say
that he can secure the solid vote of the
Democrats ii Blackburn will withdraw, ana
that he can also get the votes of both
Poor and Erdington. AS Blackburn has the
caucus nomination Ii is conceded by the
advocates of this new departure that IL
will be impossible to elect any Democrat
unless Blackburn withdrawS. He has not
only the caucus nomination, but friends in
/ the Legislature who will stand by him
as long as he is in the field. An effort is
TO be made to get Senator Blackburn to
withdraw and the result of the conference
will be awaited with great interest.
-------