New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-13
LIVELY TIMES IN MISSOURI.
THE REPUBLICAN STATE CONVENTION A
SCENE OF TURMOIL


HOWEVER. ARE FOR MKINI.EY AND SOUND
MoNEY-rREE SILVER DENOUNCED.
st. Joseph, No. May 12.-The battle royal be-
tween Chauncey l. Filley and Richard c. Kerens.
the respective leaders Of opposing factions OF
the Republican party in Missouri, was begun on
the floor of the Opera House. in which the Re-
publican State Convention is held, to-day All
day yesterday and until the early hours Of this
morning friends Of both men made strenuous
efforts TO effect compromise, but without avail,
and 1t finally decided TO carry the contest
into the convention.
All the members of both factions are McKin-
leyites The State Central Committee was in
session until 10 O'Clock this morning and de-
cided that when the roll of districts was called
for members Of the Committee on Credentials
the ST. Louis districts in which there are con-
tests should be allowed TO name members Of the
committee TO pass on these contests.
Early this morning John j. Bittinger, chair
man. of the Committee on Local Arrangements.
ordered that force of police should take charge
OF the Opera House and refuse admission to any
person not having a ticket. This was the re-
suit of demand made by Chauncey l. Filiey
that all tickets of admission be turned over to
him. Bittinger refused this point blank. and a
wordy war followed
The delegates were lined up in front Of the
building before 10 o'clock. and stood packed per-
spring and swearing under broilng sun. The
los anti-Filley delegates elected from st. Louis
at last Saturdays meeting were in line. mar
shalled by r. c. Kerens and Nathan Frank.
After q conference with other members Of the
committee it was finally decided by Bttinger to
give tickets to each Congress district. and in ad-
dition 100 tickets were allowed the State Com
mil rot ii shortly f.
ter II o'clock. and a grand rush was made for
the Opera House.
At 1915 o'clock Cbauncey /. Filley succeeded in
gaining an entrance to the Opera House. He was
chagrned 10 find that he had been preceded by
r. c. Kerens. Nathan Frank. j. l. Bittinger.
Marshal Mcdonald and others of the anti-Filley-
IFS, who had made their entrance through the
alley in the rear. Shortly afterward the dele
gates began filing in, and the number Of bloody
noses and bruised countenances gave evidence Of
the numerous conflicts the outside during the
three hours which they had waited for the doors
to open.
So much confusion ensued in the searching
for, seats, that it was not until 1:15 when
Chairman Filley grasped the gavel and called
the convention 10 order. He made a short and
characteristic address for harmony. after which
Mr. .Stocker. of ST. Joseph invoked Divine
blessing upon the proceedings During the
prayer the tumult great that ii was
impossible to hear the minister's voice ten feet
from the stage.
Richard Barthodt of St Louis, was named as
temporary chairman, and John Griffin as secre-
tary. In his address, which lasted nearly fifteen
minutes. Congressman Bartholdt said:
I'VE here 10 rnfurl the banner of protec-
ton. sound money and reciprocity. and to invite
all the people TO march under 1t to prosperity
We are here not to propose name for President
OF the United States. but as Republicans always
responsive to the peoples wish, TO ratify the
choice which they have already made Under
Cleveland and the Wilson bill there has been an
annual increase of imports Of S123OOOOO0. with
European labor working double time TO supply the
American market, while American labor is tramp
ing the streets in vain search Of employment.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Bartholdt's address,
the ST. Louis contesting delegation attempted to
secure control Of the convention by flibustering
methods, but were promptly overru!ed by the
chairman, who announced that no motions ex-
cept Of selection of the committees on temporary
organization. credentials and resolutions would
be entertained. After a hot fight by the Blu
chanan delegates, who worked under the direc-
ton. of the Kerens faction, the Fieyites tri-
umphed and the committees were chosen.
An adjournment then taken until Z p m.
to enable the committees to report. hot fight
was waged In the Credentials Committee room,
the, .Kerens faction endeavoring to seat their
delegates in the Xth. XIth and XIIth districts.
The platform begins by referring to the
tariff, noting that under Democratic schedule
labor and capital are idle and the home market
largely destroyed. and continues
We demand a return to the sound Republican
policy of protection and reciprocity under the
reign OF reciprocity advocated. by Blaine and
enforced by Harrson's administration.
We are firm and emphatic in our demand for
honest money. We believe that our money
should not be inferior to the money of the most
enlightened nation of the earth. We I'M
altersbly opposed to any scheme that threatens
10 debase Oh depreciate our currency. We favor
the, use OF silver as currency but to the extent
onlWrHsfd uhder such regulations that its parity
with the" present gold standard can be main
tanned and. in consequence, we are opposed 10
the free, unlimited and Independent coinage Of
silver at a ratio OF 16 to l.
We recognize the Hon. William Mckinley 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 Will
fam Mckinley for President Of the United States
The platform was adopted.