The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-09-05


Special Dispatch to the Standard.
Missoula. Sept 4,-The greatest de-
bate in the history of political conven-
tions in Montana was that which oc-
cupied the democrats here this after
noon and which interested an audience
which filled the great convention hall
in Mssoula to the doors. Never In
Montana was there a greater conven-
tion, and when after nearly five hours
Of talk II was all over. there was a
triumphant majority in favor Of plac-
ing silver above party. and the splen-
did course of Congressman Charles 8.
Hartman In fighting for silver and
bolting the gold convention was prac-
tically endorsed. The forenoon was
wasted. No word had been received
from the popullst convention at Hell
ena as TO whether or not the fusion
agreement had been accepted, and un-
til this was known the convention
could not proceed. Before definite in
formation on this point had been re-
ceived the convention had taken re-
cess until IL o'clock. At that hour the
fight began in earnest and there was
no more time wasted. The first great
debate which made this afternoons
session a most memorable one was on
the question OF whether the unit rule,
adopted by the Silver Bow county con-
vention, should be allowed TO stand.
This debate lasted three hours. ]. w.
Forbis, j. NJ. Quinn, j. Fl. McQueeney
and DIR. Shultz of Silver Bow. Z. c.
Day Of Park, Sam Word of Lewis and
Clarke, Walter Cooper OF Gallatin,
Senator Hill Of Flathead and others
led the fight for breaking the unit
rule, while ]. ]. Mediation, ]. F. Con-
molly, Thomas F. Courtney Of Silver
Bow, Ramsey OF Gallatin. Mats OF
Deer Lodge and others spoke for sus-
tanning the unit rule. The rule was
sustained and Silver Bow voted as a
unit.
Following came an interesting de-
bate on the question OF whether a
nomina tion for congressman should be
made. The speech of Senator Mats
was a grand climax to a debate that
was the most notable in Montana's
political history. The vote was de-
csive and left no doubt Of the wish
of the majority Of the party on this
great question. There was some bad
blood over 1t all. particularly in the
Lewis and Clarke delegation, which
swung into line against a congression-
al nomiration, In spite of the efforts
OF sam Word, w. A. Clark, Walter
Cooper, f. c. Day and Others, who
have been very busy among the dele
gates the past two days. This bitter
feeling unfortunately produced bru-
tai assault by one Lewis and Clarke
delegate on another at the Florence
hotel during the early evening recess
The work OF the convention was con-
cluded this evening with good material
selected.
Wai,in: and Walking.
Missoula. Sept. All the forenoon
tle delegates walked up and down
the streets between the hotels and
the convention. hall, convening and
adiourning and waiting for some
word from the populists as to the
nral disposition cf the fusion plan,
reported last night. At 10:40 o'clock
Chairman Stapleton raped for order
ard asked what t1s convention want
ed TO do. There seemed to be moth
ing. ard an adjournment was taken
for half an hour. At 1880 o'clock an
| other attempt was made TO get down
10 business, but IL was a failure, and
adjournment was taken till o'clock
AT seven minutes past that hour
Chairman Stapleiton welded his
gavel once more. and what proved
to be one of tire most exciting ees-
sicrs OF any state convention In
Montana was begun. The secretary
read a telegram from the populist
convention to Judge Stapleton. stat
Ing that the fusion plan had been
unanimously adopted and that the
popuhst convention was nominating
lis candidates. The telegram also
announced that the populsts had de-
clded. for the purpose of avoiding le-
gal complications in the election. that
the nominees under the fusion agree
ment should not he called "demccrat-
populsts" but should be nominated
by both conventions and appear on
the ticket as the candidates Of both.
This was received W tn applause The
fusion Of the names of the parties
has not at any time been popular
here. The announcement that the
popullsts had nominated Bob Smith
was received with cheers. A petition
from the woman suffrage society was
read. asking for a plank In the plat
form, and Il was referred to the COM
| nlittee on resolutions. The commt-
tee on order OF business made a re-
| port. which was accertsd. recon-
mending the following order for
| nominations. Electors. congressman.
| state treasurer, attorney general. as
| soc'ate justice OF the supreme court.
auditor and state central committee.
E.-ctor,-F- a., VI 81 "a. s,t-d Erovn.
When Chairman Stapleton called