The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-06-14

ular delegates, w. NJ. Randolph and Zach
Taylor, were seated. They and the contest
ants are all McKinleyites.
At 80 o'clock the special order consid-
GRAFTON of the South Carolina contests,
was taken up and large delegation of
representative of white and black repub-
licans of the state filed into the room. The
contest was between the regular repub-
licans and the sO-caled ''lily whites"
Col Ellery NJ. Melton Of Columbus, the
recognized leader of the lilly whites -
opened for himself and his associate con-
teStants, taking the position that the dis
franchisement or otherwise of $1,000 South
Carolina republicans depended upon the
action of the committee. The state, ne
said, was enthusiastic for protection, and
while this contest was not one of presi-
dental preferences, yet favorable de-
cision for his side would bring the stale
into line with republican Kentucky.
EX-Congressman Thompson of Ohio,
general counsel for all the contes tants
of Mckinley preferences, submitted the
facts in the case of the opposite dele
cation, which included Robert Smalls,
the well known colored leader, and Eu-
gene Webster, for years at the head OF
the dominant republican faction in the
state In his own behalf, Robert Small
made a bitter attack upon his opponents.
The lily white, he insisted, had no stand
ing in the state they had no excuse for
existence and they We're entitled to neitn-
er the recognition nor the respect of the
republicans of the nation. In the city of
Charleston, where Col. Melton had said
z, 900 white men would be ready to join the
lily white party, the facts We're, said
Small, that perhaps that mum Der or more,
were willing to join, not so much the re-
publican party as any party that
would help IN them d2nenssTy to Gown iaR Lii-
and give them free rum in their city
and their homes.
National Committeeman e. NJ. Brayton,
also one of the contestants spoke IN his
dual capacity. lie was repeatedly in
terrupted by Senator Thurs ton, who at
one point asked whether the lily whites
had not adopted the CLUB or black and
Col. Braycon replied in the affirmative,
and Senator Thurston reJoined that
neither the republican party nor the re-
publican convention would ever tolerate
a system of organization that did not
permit every man to take part in ali
preliminary proceedings.
What about the league OF repuDllcdIl
clubs of which you have been PRESIDENT
retorted Col. Brayton. ,., 49,.
That's another matter" replied the
senator, and laugh went around the
room.
The rival delegations having withdrawn,
Mr. Long of Florida, promptly moved the
seating of the Webster-Smau delegation.
col. Settle. proxy for MIR. Cowles of
North Carolina, propose, as substitute,
the seating OF the Brayton-Melton quar-
tette The roll was called amid consld-
cradle excitement. 1t resulted IN the re-
lection of the substitute by vote OF y
to 81 This was the first blood Tor the
anti-lily whites, but when tne moloh 20
seat the Websl ler-Smau delegates was
about TO be put, Mr.. Fessenden of Con-
necticut moved that the Delaware prece-
dent be followed, and both slqes be eA-
cluded from the temporary roll.
Delegate CatrOn OF New Mexico
moved that each delegation be seated
with a half vote each. The pfopOslllon
TO seat both delegations was defeated Dy
a vote of is to 32
The question reCurred on Mr.. tesSen-
dens motion to exclude both delegations
and refer the issue TO the national con-
vention. Another roll call was demand
ed. Again the lily whites encountered de-
feat by a vote of IA to "a.
Then the minority gave up the fight ana
the Webster-Small delegation was seated
on a viva Voce vote with about ten nays.
This vote takes out Of the convention a
total of sixteen delegates who are noted
in Mr. Hannas hand book Of delegates OF
contestants as having Reed preference
At 40 o. clock a recess of twenty min
utes for lunch was ordered
The election of temporary officers of
the convention had been the special or
der for ? O'clock but it was considera-
BY after that time before the commit
tee got together again after recess They
then got down to business lmmedlately-
On motion of Mr.. deYoung Of California
seconded by Mr.. kerens of Missouri. Mr..
Fairbanks OF Indiana was unanimously
selected as temporary Chairman of the
national republican convention.
Col. G. W. Johns ton Of Minneapolis, who
was secretary Of the national convention