The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-12
COXEY FOR GOVERNOR
THE ARCH-COMMONwEA NOMI-
MATED BIZ OHIO POPULIsTs.
A
Stormy State Convention, in Which
Blows Were Struck and Wild
Charges Given Currency.
FUSION SCHEME REPUDIATED
MIDDLE-ROADERS UNWILLING TO
ALLY WITH SILVER DEMOCRATS.
Allegation Against Mark Hannu-
Policemen Called In-VirGinia
Democratic Convention.

COLUMBUS, o., Aug 11.-Fusion was re-
pudiated to-day by the Populists of Ohio
in manner so emphatic as to leave no
chance for controversy regarding the fu-
ture policy of the party. The Populst
state convention, by an overwhelming ma
jority, severed the alliance made a year
ago with the Democracy on the free-silver
ISSUE and nominated full state ticket
headed by Jacob S. Coxey, of common
veal fame, as the nominee for Governor.
Turbulent scenes marked the opening of the
convention this morning. The anti-fusion-
lists had swept everything before them,
capturing the temporary and permanent or
ganizations and all the committees, and
they were on their mottle. Nor was the
policy adopted by the fusionists calculated
to temper the feeling which had been
aroused among the middle-of-the-road dele
gates.
The threat of the fusionists to explode
bomb in the convention was like haunting
red flag, and when the convention assem-
bled the delegates were ready for any sur
prise that might be sprung. The report
of the committee on rules and order of
business brought out the promised sensa-
ton. The report provided that no speech
should exceed five minutes regardless of
the subject discussed. Several delegates
Immediately joined in a protest against
this provision, claiming that it was con-
trary to the fundamental principle of the
Peoples party, and an amendment was of
fered to strike out of the report the OBJ
noXious section. Finally Peter Witt, of
Cleveland, secured recognition from Chair
man SeitZ, and, mounting a chair, proceed
ed to denounce the committee making the
report, and asserted that the convention
had been bought out by Mark Hanna. He
claimed he had proof that delegates had
been bribed by the Republicans and he had
the proof, providing he was given an op-
portunity to produce it. The matter could
not be presented in five minutes, nor dis
cussed in that time, and he charged that
the committees report was aimed to pre-
vent it. AS Witt waved aloft in his hand a
piece of paper, which he claimed was a
check which had been given to one of the
delegates by agent of Mark Hanna he
launched into a bitter invective against the
anti-fusionists, charging that all of them
had been corrupted by Hanna money.
A MILITANT DELEGATE.
A score of delegates were on their feet
in instant crowding around the chair
on which Witt stood. When one of the del
egates attempted to pull Witt off the chair
the latter struck at the delegate and a
general melee ensued, in which several
blows were exchanged and chairs raised
aloft in threatening manner. "A policeman
who was present rushed in and interrupted
the hostilities, and a few minutes later
a platoon of police reached the convention
hall, and the convention proceeded after
quiet had been restored with a blue coat
on guard in each aisle. The police remained
ha adj
ment.
The anti-fusionists were not in the least
dismayed by the charges that had been
made, and the report of the committee on
rules and order Of business was adopted In
it's original form by vote of 535 to 170,
which was the first accurate showing of the
relative strength of the factions. The con-
vention then effected a permanent organ
ization, Temporary Chairman John Seitz, of
Tiffin, and Temporary Secretary A. S.
Lightwater, of New Philadelphia, being
made permanent officers. From that time
on the fusionists, though in the minority
were very much in evidence, but their eff
forts resulted in nothing except to delay
the proceedings of the convention. The reso-
lutions adopted reaffirm the Populist plat
form adopted by the Omaha and st. Louis
conventions Of the party, and took issue on
several matters of local interest.
Before the morning session closed a reso>
luton was adopted providing for the ap-
pointment of a committee to investigate
charges made on the floor of the conven-
ton that delegates had been corrupted,
The fusionists, who made the charges, op-
posed an investigation by a committee,
claiming that it should be made in open
convention. The committee appointed was
composed of w. 1. Hood, New Philadelphia;
III. W. Kerch, Canton; l. M. H. Frederick,
Akron; Peter Witt and George A Groot, of
Cleveland. AT the afternoon session the
following state ticket was nominated:
For Governor-Jacob Coxey, Stark county.
For Lieutenant GoVernor-Morris Whit
comb TuScaraWaS county
or Supreme Judged. c. Pomeroy of
Franklin county.
For Attorney General - c. A. Reider.
Wayne county.
For State Ireasurer-F. M. Morris. Au-
glaiZe county.
The convention remained in session until
after oclock, awaiting the report of the.
investigation committee, but 1t was not
forthcoming, and the convention adjourned
sine die, with the understanding that the
committee would report to the state CEN
tral committee.
Rev. j. II. Taylor and Hugo Preyor. of
Cleveland, both fuFionists, were the prnc1-
pal witnesses before the investigating COM
mittee. Taylor Stated he had heard the
Republicans were spending some money to
assist the anti-fusion Populsts and he de-
termned to find out the truth of it, He
said he went to Maj. Charles Dick and told
him the Populists were dissatisfied with
the Democratic campaign and suggested
that the fusion might be broken up. He re-
ferred to Hugo Preyor as a prominent Pop
ulist, whose services would be worth Sc
curing, and arranged for a conference later
between Major Dick and Preyor and him
self At that conference he claimed. Major
Dick agreed to pay the expenses OF head
quarters, literature, etc, tor the anu-fu-
sion Populists at the State convention
Major Dick asked them if they needed anv
money for expenses, and Preyor said he did
not. Taylor accepted SO ana a railroad
ticket. preyor stated to the committee he
had Taylor write to Dick for money to pay
his expenses and had received a check for
SO signed by Charles Dick, and drawn on
the Ohio National Bank of Washington
Courthouse, which was submitted in evi-
dence.
VIRGINIA DEMOCRATS.