The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-08-12

CHARGES or CORRUPTION MADE
Frstonfst~ Claim Their Oupen~ns~
Were Bought by Senator Hanna
and Cause q Rov Which Police.
suppres~-tsen Coxey Named for
With Democrats Wanted.


manner so emphatic "a 20 leave 10
chance for controversy regarding the fu-
lure policy of the party The PcpuIist
state convention. by an overwhelming
majority. severed the alliance made year
ago with the Democracy ora the free silver
Issue. and nominated a fuli state ticket.
headed by jacob s. cnXey. OF commonweal
fame. as the nominee for governor Tur-
buleni scenes marked the opening Of the
convention this morning. The anii-fusion-
lists had swept everything before them.
capturing the temporary and permanent
organizations and all the committees. and
they were on their mettie.
. The threat OF the fusionists 10 explode
bomb In the convention was like fiaunt-
ing red rag, and when the convention
assembled. the delegates were ready for
any surprise that might be sprung The
report Of the committee on rules and or
der of business brought out the promised
sensation. The report provided that no
speech should exceed five minutes. regard
less OF the subject discussed. Several
delegates joined in a protest against this
provision, claiming that il was contrary
10 the fundamental principles Of the Peo-
pies party, and an amendment was re-
ported to strike out the obnoxious section.
Peter Wits Sensation.
Finally Peter Witt of Cleveland secur-
ed recognition from Chairman Seitx. and
mounting chair proceeded to denounce
the committee making the report, and as-
serted that the committee had been
bought out by Mark Hanna. He claimed
he had proof that delegates had been
bribed by the Republicans. and he iud
the proof. providing he was given an or
portunity to produce 1t. The matter could
not be presented in five minutes. nor dis
cussed in that time. and he charged that
the committees report was aimed 10 pre-
vent IL
AS Witt waved aloft In kis hand piece
of paper, which he claimed was "A check
that had been given one of the delegates
by an agent of Mark Hanna. he launched
Into bitter invective against the anti
fusionists charging that all of them had
been corrupted oy Hanna money.
Police Prevent - Riot.
score of delegates were on their feet
In an instant crowding around the chair
on which Witt stood. When one OF the
delegates attempted TO pull Wit; off the
chair. the latter struck al the delegate and
a general melee ensusd. In which several
blu4Hs were exchanged and chairs raised
aioft In a threatening manner. A police
man who was present rushed In and inter-
rupted hostilities, and few minutes later
platoon Of police reached the conven-
ton hail. and Witt proceeded, after quiet
had been restored, with a hluecoat in
each aisle. The police remained until the
convention took final adjournment.
The anti-fusio nists were not In the least
fisIuayed by the charges that had been
made and the report of the committee on
rules and order of business was adopted
in It's original form by vote of 53S to 10,
which was the first accurate showing OF
the relative strength Of the factions.
The convention then effected a perma-
nent organization, Temporary Chairman
John Seitz. of Tiffln. and Temporary Sec
re,ary A. s. Lightwalter. of New Phila-
deiphia. being made permanent officers.
From that time on the fusolists. though
in the minority, were very much in evil
dence. but their efforts resulted in moth
ing except 10 delay proceedings.
The resolutions adopted reaffirmed the
Populst platforms adopted by the Omaha
and st. Louis conventions. ard took Issue
on several matters OF local interest.
To Investigate the Charges.
Before the morning session closed a res
oution was introduced providing for tee
appointment of "a committee to investigate
the charges made OF the floor of the con-
vention that delegates had been cor
rupted. The fusionists who made the
charges opposed an Investigation by
committee claiming tnat It should be
made in open convention. Peter Witt was
one of five men appointed OH the commit
tee.
At the afternoon session the following
state ticket was nominated:
Governor-Jacob S. Coxey. OF Stark
county.
Lieutenant governor-Morris Whitcomb.
of Tuscarawas county.
Supreme Judged. c. Pomeroy, of
Franklin county.
Attorney general-C. A. Rider, of Wayne
county.
c,a.a .raaSxrerE NJ Morris of
Auglaise county.
The convention remained in session un-
til after O'Clock awaiting the report of
the investigating committee, but IL was
not forthcoming and the convention ad
tourned sine die with the understanding
the committee would report to the state
central committee.
Evidence OF Corruption.
Rev J. II. Taylor and Hugo Preyor. Of
Cleveland both fusionists. were the prin-
cfpal witnesses before the investigating
committee Taylor stated he had heard
the Republicans were spending some
money TO assist tho fusion Populists. He
determined To- find out the truth. He
said he went 10 q Mai. Charles Dick and
told him the Populists were dissatisfied
with the Democratic campaign, and sug-
gested that the fusion might be broken
up lie referred to Hugo preyor as a
rrprlnent poruilsf whose services would
be worth securing. and arranged FOR
conference between Maj Dick ard Preyor
ard himself At the conference he cla m
ell Maj. Dick agreed 10 pay the expenses
of headquarters. literature. etc., for the
anti illusion Populists at the state conyen-
ton Mai Dick asked them II they
needed any money for expenses and
Prcyor said ne did not. Taylor accepted
SIS and . railroad ticket Freyor stated
To the committee that he had Taylor
write to D!cs for money to pay his ex
,,enses and had received a check for 81
signed ny Charles Dick. and drawn on