The herald., 1896-08-15
drawn apart before an arbitrament Of
fists became necessary.
q M

During the confusion Delegate Brown
stated that some one had sent to the
police station for officers. He wanted
them sent back.
Vice President Neimore ruled that the
police could stay If they wanted to, and
then there was a howl.
Finally the previous question was
called for, the chair allowed it, and the
convention ordered it,
Then the original motion was put as
to whether or not the ballot for officers
should.be secret or open.
The chairman first called for viva
voce vote, and it was impossible for any
one to determine how the vote stood.
Vice President Nemore declared the
motion for a secret ballot carried, but at
this roar was made that could be heard
on Wilson's peak. In order to square
himself Mr.. Neimore allowed a division.
The aye vote was called and 1t was evil
dent that the motion was carried. All
of the ladies were evidently for Presi-
dent Morton's reelection, for they voted
nearly solid for secret ballot. 1t was
carried by vote of 50 to 33.
NOMINATIONS MADE.
Nominations for president were then
declared in order. T. ]. Jean in brief
speech named T. J. Morton.
DR.. NJ. f. Sykes of this city in most
eloquent speech. nominated A. J. Rob-
erts of Los Angeles. Brother Sykes
SPOKE eIectlNeiy, anu he excited Srtat
enthusiasm. He paid no attention to
the noise. for his voice was strong and
could be heard above the awful din.
Mr.. Roberts who was placed in nom
ination is the president of the Los Ange
les Van company and has lived in Cal
ifornia for nine years.
G.. w. Gray of Fresno seconded the
nomination of T. J. Morton
Jacob Soares of Los Angeles seconded
the nomination of Mr.. Roberts but also
paid high compliment to President
Morton.
a. L. Rutherford of Los Angeles also
seconded the nomination of Mr. Roberts,
whom he applauded as business man
and a credit to his race.
{. G. Holford of Redding seconded the
nomination of T. Is. Morton, whom he
thought would unite all the colored peo-
pie of the state.
George Miller of Los Angeles made
telling speech seconding the nomination
of Mr.. Roberts.
a. j. Jones of San Francisco seconded
Morton's nomination. did also Editor
Edmunds of the Searchlieht and Politi-
clan Henderson of San Francisco
>. W. Hawkins, pastor Of the NJ. e.
church at Sixth street and Maple ave-
nue.. seconded the nomination of Rob
erts. and so did A. J. Jones of this citv
A A. Collins of Alameda closed the
nominating speeches in the ablest ad-
dress that was heard during all the ses-
sions of the congress. He seconded the
nomination of A. J. Roberts. Mr. Collins
was the brainiest man in the convention.
ard by far its best speaker
Nominations were then closed and the
candidates were then invited to the plat
form. AS they took their seats they were
both loudly applauded. Mr. Roberts
made very neat little speech. He is "A
graduate of Wilberforce university. ana
n q nc II 10 Nf h.. l.
He said that his relations with Mr.. Nor
ton were friendly and would remain so,
no matter whether he was elected pres
ident or not.
President Morton also made brief ad-
dress. in which he did the amende hon
orable to his rival. Mr.. Roberts
At the conclusion of the speech of
President Morton. the ballot was order
ed. Tellers were appointed and the sec
retary called the name of each delegate.
who then proceeded along the line of
guards who stationed themselves
around the tellers. He handed his ballot
in and il was placed in the box.
There was constant and repeated
wrangling during the taking of the bal
lot and the confusion that reigned was
simply beyond description. Excited and
angry men talked loud and long. They
charged fraud and all manner of crook
ed work
Finally the ballot was closed and the
votes We're counted. AS the secretaries
and tellers were tallying them quiet
reigned for longer period than t any
other time during the week. 1t was
known that the result would be close,
and the interest in it was intense.
Not until the very last moment was it
known positively who was elected. At
length the vote was known to stand IS
for Morton and Sc for Roberts.
MORTON WINS
Then the Morton men did rise up and
for five minutes they turned loose, sim
ply raising the roof. raising a hubbub
that raised the roof OF Illinois hall as it
was never lifted before. The ladies
joined in and were equally as enthusi-
astic. The women who supported Nor
ton walked up to some of the men who
also favored him and were embraced.
President Morton was in the rear of
the hall. Some OF the delegates walked
back and, grabbing him, carried him
bodily to the stage Here for fifteen
minutes he received congratulations.
FRAUD CHARGED.
Delegate Jacob Soares claimed that
the ballot box had been stuffed. There
should have been but 109 votes in the box
and he said that there We're ia.
This raised a great storm. Delegate
Henderson accused the Roberts men of
having committed the fraud if any had
been done.
AT this he was surrounded by mob
Of Roberts men who talked as though
they intended to do him bodily harm
But they finally cooled down little and
Mr., Henderson escaped with a whole
skin.
Vice-president Neimore declared Nor
ton ele ed president, and then the howl
did ~ up. Delegates got together and
wanted TO fight. The din was simply
frightful The Morton delegates com
menced 10 sing America. but although
ther. were fsl lly thirty men and women
singing, their voices could scarcely be
heard.
Chairman Neimore refused to hear any
motion for a new ballot on the presiden-
cy. declaring Morton elected.
Mr. Morton at one time made move
to come forward and resign. His friends
held him back, while his non-support-
ers claimed it was only plutf OF ms.
A. j. Roberts, the defeated candidate
for president appeared on the stage
and then quiet was restored. he MADE
a talk for harmony, and then moved to
make the election of Mr.. Morton unan-
NOUS The motion was not put for the
reason that numerous howls were heard
from various parts of the hall.
THE VICE PRESIDENCY
Delegate Henderson nominated for
vice president r. J. Jean Of Pasadena
Delegate Watkins of Alameda nomi-
mated Douglas Sebree of San Joaquin,