The Portland daily press., 1897-09-29

and Rules With an Iron Hand-Con-
gresham Fitzgerald and O.her Lead
ers Turned Down.
Worcester, Mass, September 2S.-Ine
Democratic state convention session,
called for II O'Clock in Mechanics hall
today was not organized until 3.45 p.
M, owing to a long wrangle. The first
session adjourned at 2.15 p. M, for re-
cess of 45 minutes, but the interval was
extended in the hope of producing har-
mony.
But peace was not restored. Phillip
Doherty, who was chosen temporary chair
man, made his speech, but that was as far
as the regular proceedings went un til
the second assem- milling. AS soon as Col.
Rice had been chosen chairman, Dr.
Couglin rose to a question of privilege
and defended the state central committee
against the charges of Mr.. Williams.
George Fred Williams won first blood
in lively encounter. For two hours the
delegates wrangled over the makeup of
a committee to chose members at large
on the state committee. Incidentally
there was an attempt to squelch Congress
man Fitzgerald, and a lively riot, which
was finally suppressed without aid from
the police. The test came on the vote for
the previous question" and the Williams
men won 428 to 166. Then came the
adoption of the simon pure Slist Of men
to name the committee presented by Col.
Drinkwater, over over those presented for
the regular committee by J. r. Cusick.
1t was after 2 O'Clock and the delegates
the convention had not been formally or
ganized.
The issue which started the test was
the question of loyalty to Williams and
incidentally to Bryan and the Chicago
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 suspicion. But Mr.. Williams made q
personal demand for his men and it was
over this that the contest ragged f1ercely.
1t was not necessarily an anti Williams
controversy, for the free silver advocate
plainly had a great majority of the
delegates in sympathy with him. But 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 tl4Ei.
pledge of loyalty and not % submit tosa
inquisition as to their sincerity. ),
This issue occupied the attention of the
state committee until late last night and
delayed the opening of the convention for
an hour today.
ha1 loo Jo,, l..
and the word was passed around that
the attempt to agree had been unsuccess-
full. Mr.. Williams would accept no COM
promise and the fight would have to be
continued on the floor. 1t was continued
with a vengeance.
Congressman Fitzgerald's tussle was
the first exciting feature of the conven-
ton. He rose to speak on the question
of selecting the state committee at large.
Then he branched off on the DingIey Bill
and free raw materials. There was an
'Iproar at once. Shouts arose from every
corner of the room. Points of order were
raised. The chairman held that MIR. Fitz-
gerald could speak but must confine him
self to the question. Finally he held that
Mr.. Fitzgerald had forfeited his right to
speak and called on him to resume his
seat. Mr.. Fitzgerald refused and his ad-
herents rushed forward and offered to
sustain him by physical force if neces-
sary.
The chairman grew pale but kept
pounding for order until he knocked off
the head of his gavel. Col. John T. Rice
jumped to the platform as did Senator
John Z. Hayes. Finally George Fred
Williams moved forward with his chest
heaving. The opportunity for the general
had come. He waved his hands ma
jestically but the noise only grew the
,s,,L1 11f+L i, al
on their feet and all of them yelling at
once. The Hayes men pushed themselves
to the front along the middle aisle, and
grouped themselves in front of Fitzgerald
who only smiled. The riot spent its
forces in a few minutes. Then Mr.
Williams suggested as compromise that
Mr.. Fitzgerald be allowed to speak five
He is a member of Congress
and Mr.. Williams urged that the dignity
Of that office entitled him to hearing.
Then Mr.. Williams laid down the issue
before the convention. "It is not right, -
be declared that a man be put up as a
leader, and that he be then disarmed by
the regular organization of the party"
Then he proceeded to knife Mr.. Fitz-
& erald by charging him with inactivity
during the last campaign, and disloyalty
to the Chicago platform. Mr.. Fitzgerald
lid not reply and the storm seemed for
But the bitter feeling was not easily
allayed and eliminated in a few moments
in a scene of intense excitement. Tho
crucial moment came when the question
Of committee to select 90 members of
the state committee at large came up for
ballot.s John FL. Cusic had presented the
list of candidates that had been selected
by the executive committee last night
but this was rejected by q standing vote
Of 42S to 1866 and then every delegate was
on his feet and yelling himself hoarse.
When the question of accepting the list
drawn up by MIR. Williams personally and
presented by Col. A. G. Drinkwater was
put to vote grand rush was made for
the platform. The tables and chairs of
the newspaper men were overturned and
broken, men jumped upon the tables and
the platform was n surging mass of
all crowded around the chair
man. The chair directed that viva voce
vote be taken with the result that the
Williams list was accepted by large ma
jority. The cheers that went up from the
Williams men could be heard for miles SO
to speak.
At 2.15 the convention adjourned for an
hour.
The convention was again called to
order at 1926 o'clock. Senator Gallivan,
chairman of the committee on credentials
.1-J 4 fNFN