The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1896-08-28
MOTTER VS.. HAFFNER.
Disgraceful Actions at the Repub-
lican County Commemorative
Chairmen Appoint Committees
Several Fights Occur and Wild
Disorder ReignS.

The Republican party enjoys the
unenviable distinction of having
held the most disorderly and dis
graceful primary and convention in
the history of political matters in Fred
erick County. The latter event was
held in Junior Hall on Thursday
morning and from the very beginning
developed into full-fledged BOwery
wrangle. The better element of the
party at once saw the condition of af-
fairs and wisely withdrew.
The proceedings were without one
semblance of order and decency, so
much so as to disgust even the most
intense partizans. DIR. Haffner, as
called the meeting to order, or AS one
gentleman remarked, disorder, and
proceeded to elect OF rather appoint II
temporary chairman. No nominations
although it was seen that he had the
majority of the delegates with him. A
Mr.. Shoemaker was chosen and amidst
great confusion declared the choice of
the convention. The Motter men cried
fraud and appealed from the decision
of the chair Mr.. Hammond Urner
tried to get the attention of the crowd
but could not be heard ten feet away.
Schoolmaster Rudy then arose and
wildly gesticulated for few moments
to the effect that order must be restor-
ed and the majority rule. Mr.. Harp
pushed his way to the front of the
stage, which was crowded even in the
wings, and said he did not care which
of the factions were successful, but de-
clared that neither Motter nor Hail
ner could ever hold any official posi-
ton in the gift of the Republican party
in the State. His remarks were
drowned by loud yells and cries of
"put him out" Several others tried
to speak but were hustled off by the
"bouncers," who were much i'll evil
dence. MIR. Motter was busy as bee,
hObnobbing and buttonholing this and
that one, trying to advance his own
personal interests to the eVidenG detri-
meW of the party, and the Doctor was
doing the same. The forces seemed
to he about evenly divided and would
listen to no effort at compromise. For
five hours this state of affairs con-
tinued. and at the time Of writing the
leaders had not been able to make
heads or tails out of the mix up"
To make matters all the more Inter
esting for the spectators, several free
fights were INDUCED in, and in one of
them Daniel Burras was hit on the
head with a chair by some unknown
man and badly bruised. Blood flowed
freely and he had to have il baudaged.
Some said that Mr.. Motter was struck
in one of the melees, but 1t Gould not be
confirmed. One of the delegates from
Emmitsburg was hustled out Of the
hail toy Sheriff Mcbride and other
scenes of a like nature were the order
of the day. n number of delegates ia
vited vote on the IL, cliOn of chair
man 10y districts, but this WAS opposed
by the Haffner crowd. who claimed
that their man was entitled to The pO-
sition. In every sense of the word the
convention was b!emish ON the fair
+ name Of Frederick TO say nothing of
the character of the men most respoL-
sible for the disgraceful scenes.
Later accounts from the convention
are that two chairInen are appointing
their committees on credentials and
organization, Mr.. Shoemaker for the
Haftner side and Mr.. Charles Shook
for the Motter crowd. The probable
result will be that two sets of delegates
will be sent to the Con gressional Con
ventIon.