Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1896-02-18

Galveston, Feb. 16.--(Stnff cores
pondence,)-Th black flag has been
hoisted for the second time by Judge
Clark and his cohorts, and it's color is
not disguised by the fact that for tao
tical purposes musquito bar has been
thrown over 1t for the present. The
conference" OF gold Democrats which
met here yesterday organized what 1t is
pleased to regard as the Democratic
party OF Texas. 1t assumed all the
functions OF party sovereignty, and
In Its View of the matter. ousted Chair
man Dudley and the majority of the
Democratic executive committee for
against the party. Under the black
flagger program. Chairman Hardy and
his committee have inherited the au-
thorlty forfeited by Chairman Dudley
and the majority OF the state execu-
tive committee.
When the conference met Saturday
morning. 1t was difficult for the leaders
TO prevent the passage instanter. with
uuh hNi'iNhNt W "a NOHlAiuNAtNs VI
buttons OF secession. The rank and
file knew what they wanted and intend
ed to do. They proposed to fight the
regular Democratic organization from
start to finish and they didn't care who
knew It, They insisted on a rouslng
declaration of war with an announce
ment that no quarter would be given.
This idea had the backing OF Judge
Clark, Colonel d. A. Num-, ex-senator
A. l.. Matlock, Jonathan Lane. Editor
A. c. Scurlock. and others who were
foremost In the Turner hall movement
of 1892. The other fellows talked war
In the same key. but they wanted time
to organize and equip the army. Chair
man Hardy, Mr.. w. l.. Poindexter. who
was a Cleveland candidate for congress
in the Sixth district two years ago,
Senator Beall of Waxahachie and 9TH
ers, contended that case should be
made on which the secessionlsts could
20 to the Democratic national conven-
ton with chance for admission OF
their delegates: they cited the failure
of the Grace Fairchild boilers In New
York to obtain recognition from the
last national convention. and argued
that while the the state executive COM
mlttee had exceeded Its authority, and
its provisions for primary election
and with respect to other details were
not binding, II did have the right
to call the state conventions. and name
the dates and places for holding the
same, and that to this extent II should
be recognized.
There was good deal OF bitterness
Of feeling engendered in this contest
one side charged that the leaders OF
the fight for a dilatory program were
inspired by congressional aspirations
The other side retorted that the sound
money" cause had been Injured by too
much radicalIsm, and too little diplo-
macy In the leadership put forward Ia
1882 When 1t seemed that the sepa-
rationists were about to triumph
chairman Hardy played his Anal card
in favor OF diplomatic course by an
nouncing that he would resign the
ohairmanshlp II his plan was not
odonted. Judge Clark Immediately
Withdrew the minority report--in favor
nj n more radical substitute offered by
Nv. Moseiey OF Denlson. On vote this
was declared lost by standing vote
NJ So TO S. Its supporters claimed
miscount and the second vote was de-
cIared TO be So against IS, leaving
Chairman Hardy to cast the deciding
negative vote. II is asserted by promi-
nent members OF the conference that
the Moseley substitute received ma
,ority on each vote. Apparently II was
4 mi between Judge Clark and Judge
Hardy. with an indecisive victory for
the latter. Friends Of the former say
,ha, his prominsncs and agsressiveness