Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-09-02
WENT WILD OVER BRYAN
Pennsylvania Democrats Holding Their
State Convention at Reading.
PLATFORM REAFFIRMED
Harrity Ousted From National
Committee.
DENUNClATlON OF THE DlNGLEY LAW


to nominate candidates for auditor
general and Stats treasurer mot in the
Academy of Music to-day.
A conspicuous feature of tho decora
tiona was handsome banner, adorned
With portrait of William j. Bryan
aud bearing the inscription ''IIiberty,
Justice. Humanity, Equal Rights TO
all Special privileges to None.' a
hand played STARS and Stripes for
ever" and other popular tunes while
the delegates, of whom there we're 435.
located themselves in the seats set
apart for them,
State Chairman Garman called the
convention TO order at ~. 80 o'clock,
and announced the temporary organiza-
lion as agreed upon by the executive
committee.
Congressman Ermentrout, temporary
chairman, received round OF applause
when he received the eavel from Mr..
Garmau. He made a speech, and wild
scene of enthusiasm followed his men.
tion OF the name of William j. Bryan.
Delegates and spectators stood in chairs
and waved hats and handkerchiefs as
they Gheered the pame of their leader.
The platform prepared by the COM
lnittee opens as follows:
'We. the Democracy Of Pennsylvania.
in convention assembled, heartily re-
affirm and reterate tho principles of
the Democratic party as Expressed in
tho platform adopted by the National
Convention Mt Chicago in 1896 and an
proved by g, 800, 600 free and indopend-
ent vOters We are firmly and unaltsr-
ably opposed to the single gold stand
ard, which has been the direct cause of
the financial distress that has followed
upon our people since it's adoption, and
We are in favor of complete and i'm
mediate return u our original specie
basis. as il existed prior TO the de +.
monetizaiion net of 1873.
I'VE congratulate William j. Bryan.
the glorious champion OF righteous
cause, for his mastery leadership in
support of these principles.
I'VE denounce the Dingley tariff
law as measure designed and
passed in answer to the demands
Of trusts and monopolies, every
important feature OF which is q
refuge for the protection OF some
trust or combination existing 10 opposi-
ton to the publin good and violation of
brief, an assessment upon tho individ.
ual citizen Of the country for the bene
fit of trusts, in return for money adj
vanced to carry the recent election. and
add enormously to the burdens Of labor
by increasing tho costs nj the neces-
saries OF life without enhancing in the
least respect the wages OF labor. +"
State issues are then referred TO at
length, and the platform concludes as
follows:
1--WE hereby ratify tho selection by
the Democratic State central committe6
OF James M. Guifey of Pittsburg. who
SO loyalty supported the Hon. William
]. Bryan for the Presidency, to fill the
position Of national committeeman from
Pennsylvania. on the National Demo-
cratic committee.
'In accordance with the reuommen-
dalton of tho National Democratic COM
mittee, the Democratic State, county
and city committees are advised and
directed to further by every means in
their power the organization of regular
Democratic societies in every district
and the union Of such societies in the
Democratic Society OF Pennsylvania and
the National Association OF Democratic
Clubs. "
Reading, Pa, Aug. 81. The Demo.
cratic Satte convention to day numi-
mated the following ticket:
For Auditor Goneral-Walter E. Rit-
ter of Lycoming.
State Treasurer-M. E. Brown of
Blairsville.
The question of selecting candidates
was 0yershadnwed by the contest to
force the retirement OF William i.
llarrity from the national committee
The opponents Of Mr.. Harrity succeeded
in pushing through 10y Il vote of $50 TO
13i a resolution indorsing James Nj.
Gutfy Of Pittsburg, for the position.
Mr.. Harrity's frIsnds contend that the
State convention had no power to do
clare his scat in the national commit.
tee vacant, and that no will not sur
render.
After the temporary organization
and calling OF the roll, John 7. Lena.
han of Willsesbarre took the floor ami
said several OF the delegates from
Luzerne were not regularly elected and
not entitled to aeats Chairman Err
meutrout refused to recognize Mr.. Len
ahan.
In the midat of the excitement caused
by this, William II. Murphy of Phila-
depnia, moved recess for an hour. and,
putting tho question, Chairman Ermsu
trout declared the motion carried. But
the delegates would not have it SO.
Secretary John Il. Murphy seized the
gavel and shaking it in the chairman's
face, shouted that it was robbery.
Il la
trying TO harangue the delegates. The
latter in tho m1antime had crowded on
.he stuge, where they struggled and
fought like so many wild animals
Secretary Murphy struck at one of
the men on the srago, and in an instant
he was tho centre of dozen msn who
we're hitting nut in every direction,
regardless alike Of friend or foe.
The police were called in tho midst
of the fracas, and the last seen OF tho
violent Mr.. Murphy he was being hus.
tied out the stage door. But this was
only the beginning. The stage was the
SCENE of half dozen fights, all in
progress at tho same time. While some
of the delegates were pntting Chairman
Ermentrout on the lack for his courage
and coolness though he was white and
shaking, another crowd was having u
rough. and tumble fight that was only
ended by two OF the men pitching head-
long into the band. ana ono OF them
smashing through the bass drum.
This central feature Of this particular
row was u stout delegate from Luzerne
county. lie was pitted against man
who is almost au cxuct counterpart of
William Jennings Bryan, except that
be is somewhat taller. just MS the
police got into the fight two of the men
went picthing over the rail and into
the midst OF the band.