The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-09-01
A FREE FIGHT

NonVehIou-heAhE"A NhiNhgu N'e'-
form, Joiiies BrySn and Haaaess Ma
tlonal Committeeman HarrItY.
READING, Pa, Aug, Sl.-The Demo-
cratic state convention to nominate
candidates for auditor general and state
treasurer met in the academy OF music
to-day. A conspicuous feature of the
decorations was a handsome banner
adorned with portrait Of William ].
Bryan. and bearing the inscription,
Liberty, Justice, Humanity, Equal
rights to all, special privileges to none"
There were 435 delegates.
State Chairman Garman called the
convention to order at 1880 p. m, and
announced the temporary organization
as agreed upon by the executive COM
mlttee. Congressman Ermentrout, tenn
porary chairman, received round OF
applause when he received the gavel
from Mr.. Garman.
A wild scene OF enthusiasm following
Mr.. Ermentrout's mention Of the name
OF William j. Bryan. Delegates and
spectators stood In their chairs and
waved hats and hnndkerchlefs as they
cheered the name of their leader.
John II. Lenahan, OF Wilkesbarre,
claimed several of the delegates from
Luzerne were not regularly elected ana
were not entitled to seats. Chairman
Ermentrout refused to recognize Lena
han and declared the convention ad-
journed for an hour. John 4. Murphy,
OF Philadelphia. secretary, grabbed
the gavel from Ermentrout and at
tempted to preside. Ermentrout tried
TO recover the gavel and q free fight en-
sued on the stage. The police were call
ed in to quell the riot. Murphy was
finally elected from the stage and the
beiligerents ordered to take their seats.
Nobody was injured In the scrimmage'
but much bad blood was engendered.
The convention took recess at two
o'clock, for an hour.
When the convention reassembled at
3:2j o'clock, the force of policemen In
the hall had been reinforced and there
were other evidences OF preparations to
prevent repetition Of the disgraceful
scene that brought the morning session
to close.
Chairman Ermentrout announced that
the offending secretary. John T. Mur-
ply, Of Philadelphia, would be excluded
from the stage.
The committee on permanent organi-
cation reported the name Of r. w. lr-
win, of Washington, for permanent
chairman and recommended the constl-
tuition OF the other temporary officers,
with the exception that c. w. zulicls,
| OF Northampton, replace John t. Muir
ply, as one of the secretaries.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Irwin's adj
| dress, James Kerr of Cleartield, chair
| man OF the resolutions committee, read
the platform adopted by that commit
tee. The money plank is as follows:
We, the Democrats of Pennsylvania,
in convention assembled, heartily reaf-
| firm and reiterate the principles OF the
Democratic party expressed in the plat
form adopted by the national convens
ton at Chicago In 1896, and approved
| by G,5OO.OO free and independent voters.
We are firmly and unalterably opposed
to the single gold standard, which has
been the direct cause OF the financial
distress that has followed upon our peo-
pie since its adoption and We are In IA
vor of a complete and immediate return
to our original specie basis as 1t exist
ed prior to the decentralization act OF
1873.
We congratulate William i. Bryan,tho
glorious champion OF righteous cause
for his mastery leadership in support
Of these principles.
Charles p Donnelly, OF Philadelphia,
presented a minority reportstrllSing out
plank of the platform commencing the
recommendation of James VI. Guffey ns
national committeeman In place OF
William Il. Harrlty.
He pleaded with the delegates TO con-
| fine their work to stnte issues and not
attempt to create a faetloRal division
by Offering an insult to Mr.. Harrity and
friends.
l.. McQuestlon. of Butler county, de-
Tended the plank. He said the true
Democracy OF the state should not re-
tain in a position Of honor man who
had not been true to Democratic prln-
clples or In accord with the candidates
and platform.
The roll was then called on the mo-
| ton of Mr.. Donnelly to strike the GUT
fey plank out of the platform.
The result OF the vote sustained the
| WlUlOIllN ItlNIl Wy sfN W Ahfs 4Nh1NAAAt
or not voting, eleven. The Philadelphia
delegation stood Il to % In favor OF Mr.,
Harrltv
Nominations of candidates was the
next order OF business.
Charles II. McConkcv Of Harrisburg.
named cx-Mayor William X Verbckc,
of Duuphin county, for auditor general,
W. II. Halioway, of Wllliamspor, mans
cd cx.Assemblyman Walker u. Ritter
OF LycominF. The vote resulted; Rit-
ter 2Si; vcrbckc i3, and the former was
declared the nominee,
For the office OF state trcasurerJames
p. Lluht, OF Lebanon, named Mayor ia
cob Wcldel. Of Reading and G. u. Mur-
ray. Of Indiana, named NJ. Il. Brown of
BlnlpVillc, Indiana county,
MIR. Brown was the fortunate candl-
date, by q vote Of 23S to l2I
The convention at 5.56 p M, ndjourii-
ed sine die.