The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-09-01
RITTER and BROWN
The Standard Bearers Of the Penn
= " sylvania Democracy.
HARR1TY's DOWNFALL RATIFIED

The state convention 0usSoInb tnc
Selection OF Guney by o Vote Of 20t
to l34-A Row in the Convention
stopped BY tho Police.
Reading. Pa, Sept. 1.-The Demo-
cratic state convention to nominate
candidates for auditor general and state
treasurer met in the Academy Of Music
yesterday. A conspicuous feature OF
the decorations was handsome banner
adorned with a portrait Of William J.
Bryan and bearing the inscription.
Liberty. Justice. Humanity. Equal
Rights 10 All. Special Privileges to
None" A brass band played stars
and Stripes Forever" and other popu-
lar tunes while the delegates. of whom
there were 435. located themselves In
the sea9s set apart for them.
State Chairman Garman called the
convention to order at 1890 p. M. and
introduced Congressman Ermentrout
as temporary chairman. His speech
was literally applauded, especially his
reference to William ]. Bryan.
The roll call was long and tedious,
owing to the number of substitutions.
There was a row over the substitution
of Charles Gallagher for George Coyle
in the Twenty fifth district of Phila-
delphia. Ex-City Chairman John ].
Curley also produced substitution,
which he declared had been signed by
Coyle, and denounced the Gallagher
document as forgery. The conven-
ton was in a uproar. and the sergeants--
alarms had some difficulty in restor-
ing order. MIR. Curley was finally given
the seat, and the roll call proceeded.
After the calling of the roll John T.
Lenahan, of Wilkesbarre. claimed sew.
eral of the delegates from Luzerne were
not regularly elected. and were not
entitled to seats. Chairman Ermen-
trout refused to recognize Lenahan,
and declared the convention adjourned
for an hour. John T. Murphy. of Phila-
delphia, a secretary. grabbed the gavel
from Ermentrout and attempted to
preside. Ermentrout tried to recover
the gavel, and a free fight ensued on
the stage. The police were called In to
quell the riot. Murphy was finally
elected from tho stage and the belliger.
ents ordered to take their seats. No
body was injured In the scrimmage,
but much bad blood was engendered.
The convention then took recess.
When the convention reassembled,
at 1925 o'clock, the force of policemen
In the han had been reinforced. and
there were other evidences of prepare.
tons to prevent a REPETITION of the dis
graceful scene that brought the early
session to a close.
Chairman Ermentrout announced
that the offending secretary John I.
Murphy, of Philadelphia, would be ex.
Guided from the stage. John T. Lena.
han. of Luzerne, apoogized to the con-
vention for his share of the disturbance
and retired from the hall.
The committee on permanent organi.
cation reported the name Of r. W
Irwin. of Washington, for permanent
chairman. and recommended the con.
tinuation Of the other temporary Off
GERS, with the exception that C. W
Zulick. of Northampton, replaced John
T. Murphy as one Of the secretaries.
Mr.. Irwin, in his speech, referred elo-
quently to "our matchless leader, VIII.
lam J. Bryan" and again the conven-
ton went wild with enthusiasm.
James Kerr. Of Cleartield, chairman
Of the revolutions committee, read thu
platform, which may be epitomize6 as
follows: Reaffirms the Chicago free
silver platform of 1896; denounces
Dingley tariff law; declares in favor Of
Cuba's stru ale for liberty; denounces
alleged loa.ing Of state funds to pri-
vate individuals; sympathizes with the
coal miners declares for trial by jury;
I,o of To rVt-
fey for the national chairman. In place
of William r. Harrity; compliments
State Chairman Garman.
Charles P. Donnelly, Of Philadelphia,
presented a minority report, striking
out the plank Of the platform COM
mcndirg the recommendation of James
N. Guffcy as ational chairman In place
of William T. Harrty.
There was a heated discussion on
this motion, its supper ers claiming
that the convention had no authority
in the matter. The result of the vote
sustained the majority report by 200
to 1874. Absent or not voting, II. The
Philadelphia delegation. stood Al to 2,
in favor of Mr.. Harrity.
Noplination Of candidates was the
next order of business. Charles B.
McConkey Of Harrisburg named ex-
Mayor William X Ferheke of Dauphip
county for auditor general; W. II. Hol.
loway of Wi!liamsport named ex-As-
semblyman Walker E. Ritter of Ly-
coming. The vote resulted: Ritter. 2S4;
Verbekc, 43.
For the office Of state treasurer James
P. Light, of Lebanon, named Mayor
Murray, Of Indiana named M. e.
Brown. of Blairsvlle, Indiana county.
Mr.. Brown was the fortunate candi-