The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-08-12
NO FUSION
IN OHIO |
StraightOut POpulistS Largely in the
Majority.
JACOB S. COXEY FOR GOVERNOR
Charges That Anti-Fusionists Had Been
Corrupted by Hannas Money Led to
Row Which Necessitated Call on
the Police for Protection.

Columbus, O., Aug 12.-Fusiop was
repudiated yesterday by the Populists
Of Ohio in a manner so emphatic as
to leave no chance for controversy re-
garding the future policy of the party
The Populist state convention, by an
overwhelming majority, severed the al
lance made a year ago with the DEM
ocats on the free silver issue and nom
mated a full state ticket, headed by
Jacob S. Coxey of "commonweal" fame
as the nominee for governor. Turbu-
lent scenes marked the opening of the
convention The anti-fusionists had
swept everything before them, captur-
ing the temporary and permanent or
ganization and all the committees. and
they We're on their mettle. Nor was
the policy adopted by the fusionists
calculated to temper the feeling which
had been aroused among the middle-of-
the road delegates. The threat of the
fusionists to explode a bomb In the
convention was like Haunting a red
flag, and when the convention assem-
bled the delegates were ready for any
surprise that might be sprung.
The report of the committee on rules
and order of business brought out the
promised sensation. The report pro-
vided that no speech should exceed
five minutes, regardless of the subject
discussed. Several delegates immedi-
ately Joined in a protest against this
provision, claiming that 1t was con-
! trary to the fundamental principle OF
the Peoples party and an amendment
was offered to strike out of the report
the obnoxious section.
Finally Peter Witt of Cleveland, Sc
cured recognition from Chairman Seitz,
and mounting a chair proceeded to de-
nounce the committee making the re-
port and asserted that the convention
had been bought out by Mark Hanna
He claimed that delegates had beer
bribed by the Republicans, and he hat
/ the proof providing he was given al
] opportunity to produce it. The matter
| could not be presented in five minutes
nor discussed in that time and h,
| charged that the committees repor
was aimed to prevent it. AS Wit
waived aloft in his hand a piece O.
paper, which he claimed was a checl
that had been given to one of the dele
| gates by an agent of Mark Hanna, h,
launched into a bitter invective agains
the anti-fusionists, charging that all o
them had been corrupted by Hanna
money.
A score of delegates were on thei
feet in an instant crowding around tn
chair on which Witt stood. When on
of the delegates attempted to pull Wit
off the chair the latter struck at tn
delegate, and general melee ensued
in which several blows were exchanged
and chairs raised aloft in a threaten
ing manner. A policeman, who wa
present, rushed in and interrupted tn
hostillties, and a few minutes later
platoon Of police reached the hall an
the convention proceeded, after orde
had been restored, with a blue coat o,
guard in each aisle. The police remain
ed until the convention took fina
adjournment.
The anti-fusionists We're not in tn
least dismayed by the charges tina
had been made, and the report of tn
committee on rules and order of bust
ness was adopted in its ariginal forn
by a vote of 535 to 40, which was tn
first accurate showing of the relatiV
strength of the factions.
The convention then effected a per
!, manent organization, Temporar,
; Chairman John Setz was made per
mpnent chairman. The resolution
adopted reahirmed the Populst plat
porms adopted by the Omaha and 81
Louis conventions of the party.
Before the morning session closed
resolution was adopted providing 70
the appointment Of a committee to In
vestigate charges made on the foo
of the convention that delegates ha
been corrupted. The fusionists VIII
made the charges opposed an inveA
/ tigation by a committee, claiming tina
1t should be made in open convention
) At the afternoon session the follow
ing state ticket was nominated: Fo
D governor, Jacob Coxey; lieutenant gov
ernor Morris Whitcomb; supreme judg,
D. c. Pomeroy; attorney general, c, Z
, Reider; state treasurer F. M, Morris,
The convention remained in sessic
until 8 o'clock awaiting the report {
the investigating committee, but
was not forthcoming, and the CONVEX
a tion adjourned sine die, with the undei
standing that the committee would II
port to the state central committee,
Rev. j. H. Taylor and Hugo Preyo
o of Cleveland both fuslonists, were tn
e principal witnesses before the invest
! eating committee. Taylor stated /