The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-09-28
A Slim Gathering of the
Leaders Last Night.
SETBACK FOR SILVERITES
Last Years Nominees and New
Platform Decided On.
GEO. FRED WILLIAMS ATTENDED

Worcester Mass. Sept. 2S.-The pre-
limnaries Of the Democratic state con-
Nention held here today were gotten well
under way last night and things turned
out about as was expected. Consider
ing the party's dismembered state, old
timers were not surprised at the small
pcss OF the attendance the preconven-
tion night Some Of the delegates who
could not get here in time today put in
an appearance during the afternoon and
evening Of Monday and they were Joined
by those who, knowing the ropes, de-
sired to have a voice in the pulling SO
as to be sharers in the distribution OF
committee honors
1t Will be remembered that a circular
letter was issued last week by the Mas
sachusetts Democratic club, inviting the
delegates who were in favor OF making
the first business of the convention the
passage of a motion to the following
effect: THAT the Democratic party Of
Massachusetts indorse the platform
adopted at the last national convention
of the party. held at Chicago. and will
welcome to it's ranks all supporters of
snip with those who do not support it"
10 meet in Washburn hall. A disposi-
ton was evinced by some to resent what
they termed the gall Of the members
OF the club, but those who were resent
full and kept away formed minority
OF the Democrats on the ground AS
the club had practical control OF the
machinery. it's meeting place was the
Of
experienced in securing endorsers OF
the proposition for an early recital of
creed, the purpose of which was TO Sc
cure so unmistakable a mantle station
OF loyalty to the doctrines promulgated
at Chicago as to discoura~e at the very
beginning any disposition to straddle,
as was done in Maryland or to evade,
as happened at a meeting OF the Demo-
cratic committee of New York
There were 6S members present when
the club met. and after a short discus
sion IL was voted. g. 10 l, to support the
platform and have no political fellow
ship with those who do not. Pierre
Jiumbert Jr.. of Boston was chairman
and George II. Hayward Of Boston sec
rotary. The significance of this is TO be
found in the covert development Of a
movement 20 oust Judge Corcoran from
his place on the national committee be-
cause Of his rejection OF the silver doc
trim. Then followed the taking of names
of those agreeable to the carrying out
Of the program til organization had
formulated.
Robert Treat Paine. who is chairman
OF the committee on resolutions. enter
tained the members of the state execu-
tive committee at dinner. Those present
were Philip j. Doherty. Harry Lloyd.
John II. Sullivan. Senator Joseph Cor
bett, John ". Scollard OF Boston. Daniel
]. Crowley Of Danvers. John O'Gara of
Spencer. George +. Mclaughlin of Sand
wich. Charles j. Bellamy OF Springfield.
John W. Coughin OF Fall River. and
Alderman John II. Lee Of Boston.
At the meeting Of the state commit
tee the discussion was very heated. and
angry and loud debates were held. The
first contest was on the motion of Harry
Lloyd that a committee TO consist Of
himself, the chairman and secretary cf
the state committee be appointed TO pre-
sent the names OF candidates for state
committeeman -at-large. Congressman
Fitzgerald led the battle against the
motion. arguing that IL savored OF
autocracy and was without q precedent.
The Williams forces, represented by
Robert Treat Paine, Jr., Harry Lloyd.
Philip Doherty and others. discovered
that they could not control the meeting
of the state committee. Most OF the
men they depended on were absent. The
opportunity was seized by their op-
ponCnts. The representatives. ~ the
machines In Fall River. Worcester. Law
renee and other cities rallied to the sup
port OF the Boston men. The Williams
extremists showed their hand through
Lloyd. Joseph j. Corbctt moved that
the committee 10 make up the slate FOR
,ommltteemCn-at-l t-large be made up ac-
corling 20 precedent. by committeeman
at-large from tho congressional districts.
Mr. Lloyd moved 10 amend by making
IL a committee Of three members only.
\ ngnt began which ran FOR over an
hour. Paine. lloyd. Dcherty. Gala
ha, and the other men who arc for ex-
e.. -.,.;@ti1u supporter Lioyd's amend
menG Congressman Fitzgerald, C.s