Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-09-01

Reading, Pa, August 31.-The DEM
ocratic State convention met in this
city to-day and nominated Walter E..
Ritter, of Lyconling county, for audi
tor general and NJ. E. Brown, of Blairs-
vile, for State treasurer.
The selection OF candidates was en-
tirely overshadowed by the fight to
force the retirement of William F. Har-
rity from the National Committee.
The opponents of Mr. Harrity sue
ceeded in pushing through by a vote
OF 290 to 1874 resolution endorsing
James M. Guffey for his position. Mr..
Harrity's friends contend that the State
convention has no power to declare his
seat in the National Committee vacant,
and that he will not surrender without
fight.
A conspicuous feature of the decora-
, lions was handsome banner adorned
with a portrait of William i, Bryan,
and bearing the. inscription, Liberty,
justice, humanity, equal nights to all,
special privileges to none.' There
were ABS delegates.
State Chairman Garman called the
| convention to order at 1890 D. M, and
| announced the temporary organization
! as agreed upon by the executive COM
mittee. Congressman Ermentrout,
temporary chairman, received a round
| of applause when he received the gaveI
! from Mr. Garman.
A wild scene of enthusiasm followed
Mr.. Ermentrout's mention Of the name
OF William ]. Bryan. Delegates and
| spectators stood in their chairs and
waved hats and handkerchiefs as they
cheered the name of their leader
John T. Lenahan, of Wilkesbarre,
claimed several of the delegates from
Luzerne were not regularly elected
and were not entitled to seats. Chair
man Ermentrout refused to recognize
Lenahan and declared the convention
adjourned for an hour. John 7. Muir
! ply, of Philadelphia, a secretary
grabbed the gavel from Ermentrout
and attempted to preside. Ermentrout
tried to recover the gavel and a free
fight ensued on the stage: The police
and the belligerents were ordered tc
take their seats. Nobody was injured
III the scrimmage, but much bad blood
was engendered. The convention took
a recess at two o'clock for an hour.
When the convention reassembled
at 3:25 o'clock the force of policemen
! IN the hall had been reinforced and
there was other evidence of prepare
lions to prevent a repetition of the
disgraceful scene that brought the
morning session to a close.
Chairman Ermentrout announced
that the offending secretary, John T.
Murphy, of Philadelphia, would be
excluded from the stage.
The committee on permanent Or
ganization reported the name of R. w.
Irwin, of Washington, for permanent
| chairman
At the conclusion of Mr.. Twins adj
| dress James Kerr, of Clearfield. chair
man or the resolutions committee,
read the platform adopted by that COM
mlttee. The money plank is as fol-
| lows:
We, the Democrats of Pennsylva-
MIA, in convention assembled, heartily
reafflrm and reiterate the principles OF
the Democratic party expressed in the
Platform adopted by the national con-
vention at Chicago in 1896. and ap-
proved by 6,5OO,OCo free and independ-
ent voters. We are firmly and unalter-
ably opposed to the single gold stand
ard, which has been the direct cause
OF the financial distress that has follow
ed upon our people since it's adoption
and we are in favor of a complete and
immediate return to our original specie
basis as it existed prior to the demon
citation act of 1873.
I'VE congratulate VIM. J. BRYAN
the glorious champion of a righteous
cause, for his mastery leadership in
support of these principles"
Charles P. Donnelly, of PHILADELPHIA
presented a minority report. striking
out plank Of the platform commend
ing the recommendation of James M
Guffey as national committeeman in
place of VIM. F. Harrity.
He pleaded with the delegates to con-
fine their work to State issues and not
ATTEMPT to create a factional division
by Offering an insult to Mr.. Harrity
and his friends.
l.. McOuestion, of Butler county. de-
Tended the plank. He said the true
Democracy of the State should not re-
tain in position of honor a man who
had not been true to Democratic prin-
cip'es or in accord with the candidates
and platform.
The roll was then called on the mo-
ton of Mr.. Donnelly to strike the
Guffey plank out of the platform.
The result of the vote sustained tbe
majority report by 200 to 1874. Absent
or not voting. IL The PHILADELPHIA
de,egation stood II to % in favor of
Mr.. Harrity.
The convention at sos D. m. adj
journed sine die.