The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-09-08
Democratic State Convention.

Amid ,iisgraceful scenes in which
blows were struck and blood was spilled,
the democratic party in state convention
assembled Tuesday in Reading reafiirmed
its Loyalty to Bryan and the free silver
beresy. ousted William +. Harrity from
the democratic national committee and
nominated Walter F. Ritter, of Lycoming
county. for Auditor-General and NJ. l.
Brown, of Indiana, for State Treasurer.
II was a memorable convention and the
result still further widens the deep chasm
in the Democratic party. Congressman
Ermentrout was chosen temporary, and
II. W. Irwin, of Washington, permanent
Chairman. The resolutions adopted re-
affirmed the Chicago platform, congratu-
late William J. Bryan, denounoe the
Dingley tariff, demand armed interven-
ton in Cuba, condemn alleged republi-
can corruption in the state, demand an
investigation of the Treasury, sympathize
with the striking miners, deprecate IN
functions in labor cases, and ratify the
selection of James NJ. Guffey 10 succeed
William +. Harrity As national commit
teeman. A minority report was present
ed striking out the plank in reference to
Guffev, but il was defeated and the plat
form as reported adopted by vote of go
to l34.
The Reading Times, thoroughly re-
liable and moderate republican paper,
characterizes it as followc: AFTER a
hot war of words the adherents Of the
two rival factions rushed at each other,
aud in an instant the stage and auditor
ium of the theatre were scene OF wild
disorder suggestive OF pandemonium
broken loose. Blows were freely eN-
changed, hats were smashed and cloth
ing torn, aud the air resounded with the
wells and curses of the combatants- The
sergeants-at-armsm made vain attempt 10
auell the melee, albeit their efforts in this
direction appear 10 have been confined 10
onslaught upon the Harrity partisans,
several of whom were roughly handled
and bodily thrown out of the theatre.
! Finally the police were called IN, and
with great difficulty the officers succeeded
in clearing the stage aud partially re-
storing a semblance of order. Then Mr..
John u. Mishler. the lessee and manager
Of the theatre. appeared and ordered the
electric light turned off, which action ne
cessi,ated temporary adjournment OF
the convention and thus put stop TO the
disgraceful riot
The outbreak was precipitated by the
action Of John T. Murphy, of Philadel-
phia, Harrity adberent and one of the
secretaries, who seized the gavel from
Chairman Ermentrout and attempted to
run the convention. This was greeted by
a storm of mingled cheers, yells and
bisses, followed by the interference Oftwo
of the sergeants- at arms, and moment
later 10y a wild rush for the stage 10y del
egates and spectators, eliminating in a
free for-all fight"
II may be affirmed without danger oi
successful contradiction that never before
in the history of Pennsylvania has j
State Convention of any political party
been disgraeed by such shameful exhi'
bition of violence and rowdyism. The
spectacle WAS worthy Of a gathering o
prize fighters and tOughs rather than oi
an assemblage of representatives of q
great political party, gathered ostensibly
to promulgate n declaration of princi'
ples and 10 nominate candidates for two
of the highest offices in the State govern
ment.