Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-09-09
ROGERS FOR CONGRESS.
Selected as the Candidate of the Silver
DemOcrats-Much Strife for the
Nomination.

representative in congress. There was
considerable strife oyer the nomination
and the proceedings of the day evinced
some very bitter feeling on the part OF
the Dane county delegation, to which
there where two factions. For time it
looked like long and persistent fight
among the four candidates, but at 9
O'Clock in the evening the Dane county
people fixed up their grievances and
decided to support Mr.. Rogers as a
unit. Thus P. O. Stromme, the tool of
the warning faction, was thrown over
board, and the great and only O'Con-
nor. exattorney general, who raised
such fuss ln,the afternoon, proceeded
to tell the convention how lovely
everything is in Dane county. The
proceedings ended With speechifying
by all who possessed any talent in
that line.
The convention was organized in the
Concordia Opera house at noon by
electing ex-senator r. G.. Falconer, of
Portage, chairman, and j. J. Spangler,
OF Jefferson, secretary. The following
committees were appointed: Creden-
tals-Thomas Reynolds, Dane; Alex.
Buchanan, Jefferson; T. P. Hemmy,
Dodge; ]. F. Dixon, Columbia. Reso-
lutions-A. R. Bushnell, Dane; NJ. f.
Burke, Dodge; NJ. S. Parker, Jefferson;
D. H. Grady and R. c. Falconer, Col
umbia. An adjournment was then tax
en- until p NJ.
At O'Clock the convention was again
called to order and the committees on
credentials and resolutions made their
respective reports. The resolutions
were brief, declaring strongly for the
free coinage of silver at ratio of Is to
l and endorsing the nominees and
platforms of the Chicago and state con-
ventions. An amendment to the reso-
lutions was passed at the O'Clock ses-
sion endorsing the pure beer" bill
introduced in congress and instructing
the nominee of the convention to work
for it's passage.
Upon motion the names of candi-
dates for the nomination were present
ed. j. E. Jones, of Columbia county,
was nominated by D. H. Grady; P O.
Stromme and w. H. Rogers. of Dane,
by J. A. AyIward and A r. Bushnell,
respectively, and John A Barney, of
Dodge, by Senator NJ. E. Burke.
Stromme's nomination was seconded
l. 4 4
Madison, whose speech was a feature
of the convention and created quite a
sensation. 1t showed the animosity
existing among the Dane county dele
gates, O'Connor and his clique on the
one side and Rogers and his support
ers on the other. Mr.. O'Connor took
exception to a reference Mr.. Bushnell
made In his speech to test vote taken
! in the Dane county convention oYer
dhe strength of Danes two candidates.
The test showed Stromme ahead, but
Bushnell was Of the opinion that the
vote had been "doctored." O'Connor
was very much 1ncensed at the insinu-
alton that the Dane county Democracy
was guilty of any Carolinian ballot box
stuffing methods. In the course of his
remarks be also took occasion to por-
| tray IN exalted terms his own work for
his party, at the same time question
ing that Of others (evidently referring
| to candidate Rogers, ct all Mr..
| O'Connor worked himself into a pas
sion and "looked daggers" at his op-
! pOnents. 1t was apparent be had no
use for the other faction. 1t is said his
| soreness arises from Rogers, political
opposition to him, which has existed
several years Mr.. Bushnell replied
to Mr.. O'Connor and endeavored to
smooth over the difficulty. He said his
own remaks had been misapplied and
| exaggerated.
After this war of words an informal
ballot was taken. resulting: Rogers,
"A; Barney, "A; Stromme, 7; Jones, g.;
Kirkland, |; blank, l. Several other
| change, and at 4 o'clock a motion for
an hours recess was carried. At the
O'Clock session seven more ballots
were taken, the delegations continuing
to vote as at first, and then another re-
cess until 7:30 occurred.
| Voting at the evening session, which
was held in the city hall, continued
briskly until the result of the thirty
| fifth ballot was announced, when a
motion for recess of Is minutes pre-
vailed. During the recess the differ
ences of the Dane county delegates
were patched up and an agreement to
support Rogers as unit reached. The
nomination of Rogers was then a fore
| gone conclusion, and on the thirty
sixth ballot there was stampede for
the loaded wagon. Rogers received
all the votes except Columbia's g.,
| which were afterward changed to him
from Jones and the nomination made
unanimous. Mr.. Rogers was brought
before the convention and made an
address.
The following district committee was
appointed: G. A. Barwig, Dodge; E..
S. Baker, Columbia; Alfred Never.
Dodge; j. J. Spangler, Jefferson; J. M.
Clancy. Dane.
The Populists of the Second district
held session at the Commercial hotel
yesterday in relation to nominating a.
congressional candidate. Delegates
were present from Dane and Colum bia
| counties. A committee was appointed
to confer with the Democratic con-
vention as to fusion on candidate, but
the latter ignored the proposition.
We understand Rogers candidacy is
satisfactory to the Pops.