Semi-weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings Co., S.D.) 1894-1898, 1896-05-16
Fight for Control of Republican
Convention Nearly Re-
suits in a Riot.
Delegates Refused Admittance
Use Battering Ram on
the Rear Door.
When Finally Called to Order
the Filley Faction Were
in a Majority.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo-, May 15.-The Filley
faction has secured control of the Re-
publican party in this state after one of
the longest and most bitter contests on
record. The fight began before the con-
vention met, the Kerens faction hav-
ing secured the keys of the opera house
and refusing to admit any one until
| F1lley would consent to compromise.
For over two hours the delegates stood
| in the hot sun, cursing alternately Fill
| ley and Kerens.
A little after 12 o'clock a crowd of
men wearing Filley hats congregated in
the rear of the theater and attempted
to smash in the door. They used bat
tering ram and some glass was smashed.
The sergeant alarms Oh the inside tele-
phoned for the police and patrol
wagon full of officers was sent The
sergeant alarms was unable to identify
the individuals using violence and no
arrests were made, but the officers re-
manned
A Compromise Agreed On.
While the delegates in the street
raved the leaders of the two factions
met behind closed doors and finally
reached an agreement. The doors were
then opened and the delegates allowed
to enter. The Filleyites claimed the
victory and said their boss was allowed
to distribute all tickets. However, it
was noticed that the Kerens delegates
were allowed to enter the building.
After delay of three hours Chair
man Filley called the convention to or
der at p. m. and Major Barthold was
chosen temporary chairman. Commit
tees on credentials, permanent orgailiza-
ton and resolutions were then ap-
pointed, but it was not until after IL
o'clock at night that the committee on
credentials was ready to report and the
convention was finally called to order.
The committee submitted two reports,
the majority favoring the Filley delega-
tions and the minority favoring the
seating Of all the contesting delegations
and dividing the vote
Between the Two Factions.
The majority report was adopted with
out debate. The committee on order of
business recommended the election first
of q state chairman, the nomination of
state officers afterwards, and, as the
final business of the convention the
election of delegates to the national
convention. This report was unani-
mously adopted.
From this time ON the convention was
practically in the hands of the Filley
! party. The temporary organization was
made permanent. The only disappoint-
ment which the Filley men met was
the losing of one of the state commit
teemen at large. The selection of
chairman of the state central committee
was awarded to Mr.. Filley by acclama-
ton, and, to crown his victory, he was
elected delegate at large to the national
convention.
Sound Money and Mckinley.
The platform, which was unani-
mously adopted, declares for protection
and reciprocity and concludes as fol-
lows:
We are firm and emphatic in our de-
mand for honest money. We believe
that our money should not be inferior to
the money of the most enlightened nations
Of the earth. We arc unalterably opposed
to any scheme that threatens to debase or
depreciate our currency. We favor the
use Of silver as currency, but to the extent
only ard under such regulations that it's
parity with the present gold standard can
be maintained, and, in consequence are
opposed to the free, unlimited and indepen-
dent coinage of silver at a ratio of 16 to l..
We recognize the Hon. William Nc
Kinley as the champion of the doctrine OF
protection, gallant soldier, an able
statesman and true and loyal American,
and the delegates elected by this con-
vention are directed to cast their votes for
the nomination of William Mckinley for
president of the United States.