The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-13
Bitter, stubborn Fight for Supremacy
Messrs. kerens and Ffney.
VICTORY FOR THE LATTER
DELEGATES TO BE INSTRUCTED TO
VOTE FOR MAJOR M'KINLEY.
Delaware Republican Factions Hold
Separate Conventions and select
Delegates to 81. louis.
specIal 10 the Indianapolis Journal:

ST. JOSEPH. Mo-, May 12.-Probably the
stormiest political convention ever held In
the State was that OF the Republicans. held
here to-day. There was war from the start,
with the Kerens and Filley factions as the
complaints The platform, which Is ready
for presentation to the convention. instructs
the delegates at large to vote for William
Mckinley. condemns free silver and in
dorses sound money. The convention was
still in session at midnight.
The platform opens by congratulating the
Republican party on the rapid strides II has
made in the State. The doctrine OF protec-
ton and reciprocity is dealt with at some
length. American products are denanusS
precedence over those OF foreign countries.
Duties on all imported commodities except
luxuries are asked for. except I'm the case or
such as cannot be procured here. which shall
be placed on the FREQ list. The platform con-
cludes as follows:
I'VE demand return to the sound Repub-
lican policy of protection and reciprocity.
Under the doctrine OF reciprocity. as advo-
Gated by Blaine and enforced by Harrison's
administration, our export trade was vastly
increased, and new and enlarged markets
were opened TO our farm products. The re-
peal of that law by the Democratic Congress
has closed the markets OF many foreign
countries to large portion OF American
I'VE are firm and emphatic in our demand
money should not be inferior 10 the money
OF the most enlightened nations OF the -th.
We are unalterably opposed 10 any scheme
that threatens TO debaSe or depreciate our
currency. We favor the use OF silver as cur
rency. but to the extent only and under such
regulations w that its parity with the present
consequence, we are opposed TO the free. un-
limited and independent coinage OF silver at
a ratio OF Is 10 /.
Eve denounce the present administration
for its hostility TO the Interests OF the Union
soldier, and We pledge anew 10 the veterans
Of the Republic watchful care and recogni-
ton OF their just claim on a grateful pso-
pie:
We recognize in the Hon. william Nc
kinley champion of the doctrine OF protec-
tion gallant soldier, an able statesman
and true and loyal American, and the dele
gates elected by this convention are directed
William Mckinley for President Of the
United States"
ALMOST A RIOT.
The convention was almost turned into
a riot this morning before the delegates
were admitted to the hall The hour set for
the opening OF the State convention was 10
o'clock, and at that hour fully two thousand
people were I'm front OF the Crawford Opera
House, where 1t was held, clamoring for adj
nlittance. The cause OF the trouble was a
disagreement between the Filley and Kerens
factions for supremacy. The former as
chairman OF the State committee, issued
tickets TO his set of delegates before leav-
ing ST. Louis. Kerens and his followers
were present in force with a contesting dele
cation, and this caused all the trouble. The
local committee on arrangements
also issued tickets to the conven-
ton and. having possession Of the
keys OF the opera house. refused to admit
any one until FTley would consent to COM
promise. For over two hours the delegates
stood in the hot sun. cursing alternately
Filley and Kerens, but ali to no purpose.
Finally. however, the crowd became so bois-
ferrous that II was feared an attempt would
be made TO break down the doors and po-
licemen were sent to restore order. At about
II o'clock new wspaper reporters and telegraph
hall, but the delegates were kept on the out
side while a truce was being arranged be-
little after ~ o'clock a crowd OF men
wearing Filley hats congregafed Ia she rear
of the Theater and attempted TO smash in the
rear door They used a battering ram. and
the inside. telephoned for the police, and .
patrol wagon full OF officers was sent TO the
scene. The sergeant-at-arms was unable 70
identity the individuals using Violence and
no arrests were made, but the officers re-
mained on guard. John l. Bittinger. chair
iDan of the local committee on Arrangements.
s.ill Kept possession Of the keys. ana would
edmif 10 one to the hall. The delegates IN
The street were furious, and threats we're
made tnat both Filiey and Kerens would b
opened.
While the delegates in the street raved and
s, oi-; Filley and the local committee repre-
SCI ,.4is he Kerens faction held consulta~
tion. ,rae meeting was behind closed doors.
xai ,Say xssy KEtory Tss
IscGis delegates be seated before * would
asree to open the doors. but Filley said the
Acrens men should not be recognized or
seated IL the convention was never held
htnaly however. an agreement was reached
y which the doors were opened and the
depeg1tes allowed TO enter. The F1ueyite&
eiained the victory, and said their "bose'
was allowed to distribute all tickets. Hcw-
gates were allowed to enter the building.
THE DELEGATES CALLED TO ORDER
Afser a delay of three hours Chairman
Fiuey appeared on the stage and called the
converition to order. After the reading of
the call prayer was offered. and Mayor
Nnries welcomed the delegates to the city.
rae building was packed to the doors. but
tse delegates seemed TO have forgotten
their wrath. and. aside from a few bruised
heads and black eyes where delegates had
been struck with policemen's clubs In the
row there was no evidence OF what had
for time threatened 10 result in a riot
RILEY made a short speecR In which ne
predicted success for the Republicans Of
Missouri this year. He was loudly checfed
but above the cheers could he heard cries
70: Maj. William Warner" Mr. FIllcy
would not heed the calls and announced the
Temporary officers as follows: Chairman
Congressman Richard Rarthoid; secretary
.Aibert Griffin. The cries for Warner con-
;.oped. but above all could be heard the
voice OF the chairman calling the roll of
congressional districts for members OF the
three committees-credentials permanent
organization and resolutions. Chairman
Barthold then addressed the convention at
length. The speech was well received.
When Temporary Chairman BarfhoId re-
fused 10 entertain motion except 10 ad.
journ the antt-Filley followers hat cau-
after adjournment and attempted 10
arrange matters that they might seat the
contesting delegations IN the Eleventh.
fight was waged i'm the credentials COM
mittee rooms. and the Filley men refused
TO entertain proposition for compro-
mise. The Filiey men demanded all IN sight.
which the kereffs faction was not disposed
10 concede. AT $3.50 D. m. the credentials
committee not ready 10 report. and the
delegates and spectators who filed the c0n-
vention hall amused themselves by listening
20 speeches from Webster Davis. Mai. VII
liam Warner and others.
II MAS not until after II o'clock tonight
10 report and the convention was finally
called TO order. The committee Submitted
two reports. the majority fayorsng the Fil-
ley delegates ana the minority favoring the
settling OF all the contesling delegations and
dividing the vote between The two 1actio0A.