The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-09-29

AAShs CAAAstoPhcr As ChAaHdu INdm6u AOr
Second Place on the Ticket-Chicago
Platform Indorsed-Convention Marked
by Considerable Acrimony, but Appar-
ent Harmony Was Finally Restored.
Worcester Mass, Sept. 2S.-The dem
ocratic state convention session, called
for IL o'clock in Mechanics hall to-day
was not organized until 3:45 p. m. ow-
ing to long wrangle. The first session
adjourned at 2:15 p. m. for a recess of
forty-f1ve minutes, but the interval was
extended in the hope of procuring har-
mony.
But peace was not restored. Philip
Doherty, who was chosen temporary
chairman, made his speech, but that
was as far as the regular proceedings
went until the second assembling. AS
soon as Colonel Rice had been chosen
chairman, DR.. Coughlin rose to ques-
ton of privilege and defended the state
central committee against the charges
of Mr.. Williams.
George Fred Williams won first blood
in a lively encounter. For two hours
the delegates wrangled over the make
up of a committee to choose members
at-large ON the state committee. In
cidentally there was an attempt to-
squelch Congressman Fitzgerald, and a.
lively riot ensued, which was finally
suppressed without aid from the police.
The test came on the vote Of the pre-
vious question" and the Williams men
won. Then came the adoption of the
simon pure hist of men to name the
committee, presented by Colonel Drink
water, over those presented for the reg
ular committee by J. H. Cassidy. 1t
was after o'clock, and the delegates
then adjourned for forty-five minutes,
although the convention had not been
formally organized
The issue which started the trouble
was the question Of loyalty to Williams
and incidentally to Bryan and the Chi
cago convention.
Williams wanted men of his personal
choice selected as members of the state
committee at large. The present MEM
bers Of that organization resented the
suggestion that they had given cause for
H. DQC lAI. WlIldlllo lId0C d
personal demand for his men, and it was
over this thatsthe contest ragged fiercely.
It was not necessarily Williams anti
Williams controversy, for the free silver
advocate plainly had a great ma ajority
of the delegates in sympathy with him.
Bu: the pride Of the old party leaders
was touched. Their personal reputation
and home prestige was at stake, and
they proposed to have the convention
accept their pledges of loyalty, and not
submit to a personal inluisition as to
their sincerity.
This issue occupied the attention OF
the state committee until late last night
and delayed the opening of the conven-
ton. The word was passed that the at
tempt to agree had been unsuccessful
Mr.. Williams would accept no compro-
mise. and the fight would have to be
continued on the floor. 1t was contin-
ued with a vengeance.
Congressman Fitzgerald's resolution
was the first exciting feature Of the
convention. He rose to speak on the
question of selecting the state commit
teemen at large Then he branched off
on the Dingley bill and free raw mate
rails. There was an llproar at once.
Shouts arose from every corner Of the
room. Points of order were raised. The
chairman held that Mr.. Fitzgerald could
speak, but must conf1ne himself to the
question. Finally he held that Mr.. Fitz-
gerald had forfeited his right TO speak,
and called on him to resume his seat
Mr.. Fitzgerald refused, and his adher-
ents rushed forward and offered to sus-
tain him by physical force If necessary.
The chairman grew pale, but kept
pounding the gavel until he knocked Off
the head of the gavel Colonel John
Rice jumped to the platform, as did
Senator James E. Hayes. Finally George
Fred Williams moved forward with his
chest heaving The opportunity for the
general had come He waved his hands
| n.ajest.cally, but the noise only rose
| louder.
Two-thirds of the delegates were on
| their feet, and all of them yelling at
once. The Hayes men punched their
way to the front along the middle aisle
and grouped themselves in front OF
Fitzgerald, who only smiled. The riot
spent it's force in few minutes. Then
Mr.. Williams suggested that, as COM
promise. Mr. Fitzgerald be allowed to
speak five minutes He is member of
congress and Mr.. Williams urged that
the dignity of the office entitled him to
| a hearing.
Then Mr.. Williams laid down the is
sue before the convention.
1T is not right he declared, that
a man be put UP as leader, and that
he then be disarmed by the regular or
| ganization of the party" Then he pro-
ceeded to knife Mr.. Fitzgerald by
! charging him with inactivity during the
last campaign. and disloyalty to the
Chicago platform. Mr.. Fitzgerald did
not reply and the storm seemed for the
! time to be over.
At 2:O5 the convention adjourned for
an hour.
The convention was again called to or
der at 1925 o'clock. Senator Gallivan,
chairman of credentials, reported that
of the 1882 delegates to which the con-
vention is entitled 627 presented creden-
tials.
At this point John H. Sullivan took
the floor to explain his position as
democrat. Mr.. Sullivan said his democ-
racy had been questioned, and he felt
he ought to say word. II was one of
the first men in Massachusetts to en-
dorse the Chicago platform said he,
Il served in the common council, and
my democracy was never questioned un-
til now. But now it seems I am not