Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-09-26
George Fred Williams Nominated for
Governor at Boston.
SUPPORTERS CAMPED IN MUSIC HALL
Sustained a State of Siege All
Night and This Morning.
NE ATH OF 4 DELEG A T E

BOSTON, September 26.-The democratic
convention in Music Hall today nomi-
mated George Fred. Williams for COVER
nor.
BOSTON. Mass. September 26-Not for
eighteen years. at least if ever In the his
tory of the democratic party in Massachu-
sets. has the day of state convention
dawned with so many sensational prelimi-
raries to the formal organization Of the as
sembly of delegates and so much uncertain
ty as to the development of the convention.
AS a result of the refusal of the state COM
mittee, which IS controlled by the gold
standard men, to admit delegates to the
convention hall by credentials alone. and
rot by ticket. and the sensational speech
last night of George Fred. Williams. the
silver leader and candidate for the demo-
cratic nomination for governor. daylight
found over five hundred silver delegates in
trenched in Music Hall. where the conven-
ton was to meet at IL o'clock determined
to remain until the meeting adjourned, in
spite of all opposition. while the state COM
mittee and the gold men were in conference
at the Quincy House. trying to formulate a
plan to get the belligerents out of the hall
and meet the emergency.
4 Similar Occasion.
In 1878. when Gen. B. F. Butler was the
greenback candidate for governor, his sup
rorters captured the convention hall and
adopted similar plans for holding it until
II Q convention organized. but even that
contest was not so replete in unique and
sensational features the fight inaugu-
rated last night by Mr.. Williams and his
followers When the silver men announced
last night that they intended to remain in
the hall until the convention was over, a
large force of police began to form on one
side OF the hall and in the streets nearby.
and it was rumored that the delegates
would be elected by the officers.
But representatives Of the silver men con-
ferred with Gen. Martin of che board of
police. and in spite of the efo-ts of the
gold men to secure an order for the cleo
ton of the opposition: delegates. the blue
coats were instructed to withdraw, end
the waiting silver men proceeded to kill
time by speech-making, carl playing and
singing.
TEen the manager of the building re-
quested them to disperse. and when they
refused policemen were stationed at the
doors under orders to allow any who
wished 10 go out, but not to permit any
10 return. Caterers bearing a lunch orde red
by the silver cohorts were refused aGmis-
sion. and then the tired and hungry poll
ticians began TO exercise their ingenuity
in an effort to Smusgie refreshments into
the building.
A Delegate Electrocuted.
TIE most tragic and serioIs incident of
tempts TO secure supplies. James Hughes.
delegate from Somervile. losing his life
in effort to get out of The hall by a
fire escape in the rear. Hughes was prepar-
ing to jump to- the ground. fifteen fee. he
low. when his foot slipped. and in trying
to save himself. he seized a wire dangling
near The wire was live one. and with
agonzed cry Hughes FELL senseless on
the fire escape and then tumbled to the
ground. where he died before any one
could reach him.
The news of the ac.ident reached the
delegates within the hall and hey were
aroused to the highest pitch of excite
ment when j. II. Mellen announced it from
the platform and declared that it a
murder for which the gold members of
the state committee were responsible.
There were several speech IS in criticism OF
the committee and resolutions on he Geath
OF Mr.. Hughes were finally agreed upon to
be presented to the convention today.
The gathering soon quoted down again,
and while card playing was resumed by
many. the majority went to sleep. Soon
after break made in tine lines of
the enemy at some unknown point. and
large baskets of sandwiches and cans Of
coffee We're carried into the hall. Evil
IDENTIFY there was secret entrance hy
which delegates could return to the hall
also. for the number slowly increased to-
ward O'Clock. and an hour later T. w.
Coakley reported that roll call showed
that - delegates with credentials We're
present.
At I'D am. there were. apparently, not
mere tSan three hundred in the building
Shortly after : o'clock Secretary Nathaniel
Robinson of the state committee. a gold
man. appeared at the hall and asked the
managers if they would be ready to de-
lily er the hall. cleared of the silver men, to
the committee at II O'Clock the hour at
which the convention was scheduled to
open.
Manager Mudgett stated that there were
over Joo men in the hall who had creden-
aS Hala atas Il
he aid not see how he could legally remove
II en-.
Secretary Robinson then retired and pro-
ceeGed TO the Quincy House. where the
distribution of tickets of admission to the
con, ention to the delegates holding Gre
dentIalS were given.
Demands for Admission,
Most of the ds iegates at once went to
the hall carrying their tickets. It being an
noUnced that the doors would be opened at
10 o'clock At that hour hundreds crowd
ed the streets in front of the entrances
to the hall. but the doors were not opened.
The police maintained order. and no at
tention was paid to the demands of the
throng to be admitted Finally, T. W
Coahley of Boston, one of the silver leaders
appeared at a window of the hall, and said
Fellow democrats: There are 100 duly
elected delegates with credentials in their
pockets, sitting in a semi-circle around the
platform. holding the fort on the inside
while YOU are holding the fort on the out
side We are locked in and you are locked
out. Mr.. George Fred Williams is al tht
American House. leading the tight there
AMI shall see to 1t that you Will participa te
in that fight We the inside will wall
patiently. We want to let you in if it Is
possible. "a voice: Break down the doors >
No. listen. John Fl. Sullivan has a per
nit for this hall. but have the hal
tchSersp and We mean to keep it, The goit
standard men. v no are followers of Palmer
and Buckner. are now closeted with tn.
other democrats in conference and praye
over the situation. They are between thu
devil and the deep sea, and do not know
which vay to turn. but the Atlantic viii
drown these men politically today. Now
what I want you to do. fellow democrats
is to organize where you stand. elect
chairman and appoint committee to g
to the American House and thus assis
George Fred Williams in his fight
An Outside Meeting.
The crowd answered this appeal by elect
Ing David F. Moreland of Woburn as chair
man. and from a nearby window sill tina
gentleman called the meeting to order.
A committee was at once appointed to q
to the American House and confer will
r. a he IN,