The news & observer., 1897-08-27
THE CLASH BEGAN EARLY
AND THE SENATOR'S SPEECH
COULD NOT PREVENT IT.
ADJOURNED TO MEET IN BALTIMORE
The State Chairman 0owned Soon After He
Called Convention to Order and Took no
Part in Further Proceedings--Str
Speech Before the Convention.

Ocean City. Md, Aug. 26.-By vote
of 81 to 56, the delegates to the Republi-
can State convention to-day refused to
endorse Senator George l.. Wellington
and his views as to the leadership of the
party in Maryland. The clash between
the opposing factions began almost at
the fall of the gavel which called the con-
vention to order
Senator Wellington, as chairman of the
State Central. committee, took his place
on the rostrum at 1875. When the ap-
plause which greeted him had subsidized
he addressed the delegates and spectators
in part as follows:
Six years ago the Republican State
convention assembled here. We meet
to-day as. the representatives of a tri-
umphant party in Republican Mary
land. We were then surrounded by de-
preston; the past brought us no COM
forting reflection, and the future seemed
clouded by danger and disaster. vic
tory has been wrought after 80 years of
continuous defeat The halo of triumph
surrounds our banners and the strong
hand of party organization points to the
future and forward march of our hosts.
With firm adherence to the tents of
Republicanism, and with answering
fidelity to political honor we cannot fail
to enlist the sympathy and confidence of
the sturdy Republicanism and vigorous
independent thought in our common
wealth and with combination of these
forces, victory will inevitably follow.
With rho nurr.osn Of na1rSiOC cucb "a
condition l have labored diligently since
bition and seek no personal advantage
in the performance Of the duties which
are incumbent upon me.
After eulogizing the policy of the Ma
tional Congress and extolling President
McKinley's administration. the Senator
continued:
With such record for our party in
National and State affairs. we should be
able to hold with us the element which
gave us previous success. We can dc
50. provided we maintain the high stand
ard of principles and nominate candi-
dat"s-the very name Of which will be a
! synonym of public worth and personal
honor. To bring about such nomina-
tiOns has been my earnest endeavor
| some pronounce to be an unwarranted
interference i'll the preliminary contest
in Baltimore City, and other sections
of the State. / claim that it is not only
my right but my duty, occupying the
position | do, to exert what influence
have toward the end that fit nominations
be made and suitable principles enunciat
ed for the guidance of the Republican
party. .
Baltimore city is the key to the pol
teal situation in Maryland.
Success in Baltimore city means sue
cess in the State; defeat in Baltimor
city means disaster in the State. There
fore it was my endeavor to bring sue
cess to our party in the city of Balti
more.
When it became evident that by wan
of proper guidance and bringing into &C
ton all the necessary elements an un
suitable candidate might be nominated
in Baltimore city, / determined to d
what lay in my power to avert such
calamity and secure the nomination o
"A candidate whose personal character
both in private life and as a busines
man was above reprOach, whose abilit.
and standing in the community entitie,
him to the unhounded confidence OF III
classes Of his fellow citizens and aroun,
whom would gather not only the soil,
phalanxes of the rank and file of th
Republican party, but that great bod.
of independent citizenship which IN
fair election controls the State AT
ter consultation II was determined tha
such a candidate had been found III til,
person of Theo. Marburg and it wa
for that reason and for no other that
recommended the nomination and ex
erted every influence | had to have j
made.
If it be crime to act for the hes
interests of my party, without regart
for personal preference, then / am guilty
/ despise the political code that relie
upon false accusations against anragon
lists and impossible promises to friends
/ believe in a fair and open contest, CIV
ing blow for blow in a fair field. | de
sire no advantage hy methods of indi
rection, and believe tnat an honest pri
mary is as necessary for the honOrabl,
existence of the party as fair election
is for the perpetuation of a free civi
government in the State | have neve
assumed authority that was NOT of righ
the prerogative of the position [ hold
The Senator's illusions to his posi-
tion in regard to local politics evoked con
silDable enthusiasm among his adhcr
ents.
| Nominations for temporary cha rmar