The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-18
GERARD FOR CHAIRMAN
SELECTED BY THE REPUBLICAN
CITY CONVENTION LAST NIGHT.
A Close Contest and Lots of Noise
Precinct Committeeman VIII
Hereafter BE Elected.

Wesley NJ. Gerard was elected chairman
of the Republican city committee by the
convention which assembled last night in
the Criminal Court room. 1t was noisy
convention full of enthusiasm and out
spoken in its manner of proceedings. The
hall was crowded and it was with the ut
n ost difficulty that order was maintained
al times by Chairman Hugg. The greatest
confusion was caused by the action of the
Thirteenth ward in insisting on casting it's
vote as a whole instead of by precincts.
The convention adopted a rule at the be-
ginning that the vote should be by pre-
ciEcts, but when the Second ward was
called it voted solidly for Mr.. Gerard and
there was no objection raised. Then the
Thirteenth ward desired to have its vote
cast by it's chairman. Objection was raised
ard the chairman decided that the vote
would have to be taken by a call of pre-
circts. Robert Metzger was acting as
chairman for the ward, and he declared
that the ward would vote as unit or not
at all, and when the names of the delegates
were called not one responded. After the
rest of the delegates had voted, however, the
ward was called again and the vote was
cast and counted. 1t had no effect upon
the election.
Harry B. Smith called the convention to
order and Senator Martin Hugo was elected
permanent chairman and Harry e. Royse
secretary. The roll call Of delegates showed
the absence of about twenty, scattered
from all parts of the city. The report of
the committee on credentials was adopted.
1t settled the only contest there and
seated M. +. Arnold as the delegate from
the sixth precinct of the Fifth ward.
II. S. New received recognition from the
chair before the call for nomination for
chairman was made and offered a resolu-
ton. He explained that the executive COM
mittee had probably not acted in accord
with the views of the majority of the Re
publicsns OF the city in it's recent action
in changing the manner of selecting pre-
cinct committeeman. and he offered the res
olution in order to bring the question
squarely before the delegate body of Re-
publicans for settlement. The resolution
which was adopted. is as follows:
Whereas, The executive committee of
the Republican city central committee hav-
ing recommended a change in the method
heretofore pursued in the selection Of pre-
cinct committeeman, to wit: That hereafter
such precinct committeeman shall pe ap-
pointed by the chairman of the city central
committee instead of being elected al pri.
maries held in the respective precinccs
therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of this
convention that the old plan of electing
committeeman at precinct meetings should
De adhered TO, and that the executive COM
mlttee be requested to rescind its action in
this particular.
Resolved, That the chairman this night
elected is hereby directed to issue a call
for the election o, committeeman in the pre-
c1ncts a primary elections to be held Sat
urday evening, July a.
Resolved, That the whole matter of de-
visng plan for the future election of
committeeman be referred to the next
forthcoming Republican city convention
THE OBDURATE THIRTEENTH.
On the roll call of wards for the nomina-
ton of candidates for chairman OF the
city committee there were but two names
placed Before the convention. The first
ward, through Mr.. Hines, nominated Yves
ley M Gerard. Ii S. New, for the Third
ward, placed in nomination A. A. Young
The balloting continued with the usual alb
ssnce of good order that is noticeable at
such conventions, but with no real dis
turbance until the Thirteenth ward was
reached. 1t was then that Bob" Metzger
backed by the delegates, declared that he
be - If the vote would be cast at all if
the ward were not allowed to vote as a
Young and four for Gerard There was a
good deal of wrangle over this both sides
becoming obdurate and determined not to
yield. The Second ward had cast it's vote
a unit and the Thirteenth declared it
was as good as the Second Then Metzger
committed the ward by refusing to vote un-
less allowed to vote as a whole. Time
could have been saved by either side re-
lenting.
Finally the names of the delegates were
called by precincts and not a man respond
ed. Then the remaining delegates were
called, their votes registered and the count
made. 1t was found that the vote of the
Thirteenth could not change the result and
it was allowed to vote, but it now insisted
upon voting by precincts. The ballot gave
Gerard 9212 and Young S5h votes.
Mr.. New obtained the floor before the re-
suit could be announced and on behalf of
Mr.. Young moved that the election of Mr.
Gerard be made unanimous The vote
adopting this motion was a hearty ONE.
Mr.. Gerard was caught by telephone and in
ten minutes presented himself before the
convention. He thanked the convention
for the honor and said he believed the next
mayor of Indianapolis would be a Republic
an. If hard and constant work on his part
would accomplish such result, he was
sure of it. He hoped for the hearty support
of all Republicans and was confident that
they would give it to him. The loud cheer
ing with which his remarks were greeted
showed that this support was already ac-
corded him.
The chairman of the committee will have
the appointing of his secretary. Accord
ing to the resolution adopted by the con-
vention the precinct committeeman will be
chosen next Saturday evening at primary
conventions to be called by the chairman