The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-15
Governor Tanner and n Steering Com
mittee Swallowed Up in "a Scene
of Wild Disorder.
FIGHT OVER RESOLUTIONS
INDORSED SOUND
MONEY AND 1895 PLATFORM.
Negro Delegates Get in Clause on
Lynchings-SessfOn of College
Branch of the League.

DETROIT, Mich, July H-Colonel Leon
ard J. Crawford, of Newport Ky, was this
afternoon elected president of the National
Republican League. While the contest for
the presidency had all the appearance of a
close struggle the result can scarcely be
said to have been in doubt. Two ballots
by states were taken, the second one being
necessary to verify the first, in which the
detailed result could not be determined,
owing to the confusion caused by the
numerous changes of votes and the per-
sistent airing of local differences in some
of the state delegations. The result of the
second ballot was not announced before
Crawfords opponents all went over to him
and made it unanimous before the figures
were all added up. In this the gentleman
from Kentucky had things his own way.
The only candidate feared by friends of
Crawford was Frederick W. Fleitz. of Penn
sylvania. The Illinois delegation, who
wanted the next convention in Chicago,
combined with Fleitz through a steering
committee composed of Governor Tanner
and four others, but the attempt at unit
rule methods by the Illinoisans was frowned
on, and the men from Illinois were the only
ones who enjoyed the distinction of being
called on to vote each separately for him
self. A. NJ. Higgins of Indiana, was third
in the race for president. According to the
indications M. J. Bowling, of Minnesota,
will tomorrow be reelected as secretary,
which will complete the leading slate of
Crawford-Dowllng, and Omaha as the next
place of meeting. Omaha was selected, but
the date was left to the league.
There was no contest over resolutions,
Of, <Jn1o
the addition of an anti-lynching declaration
was willing granted During preparation of
the platform in committee some of the
Western members urged the policy of say
ing as little as possible about the sound
money feature of the st. Louis platform,
but the resolutions heartily indorsed that
platform in all respects. Late this after
noon and evening the delegates had a de-
lghtful change from the convention ex-
citement to an enjoyable ride across Lake
st. Clair guests of the local members.
The election of officers will be completed
tomorrow and miscellaneous business
closed up
THREE COMBINATIONS.
The three leading combinations on presi-
dent were about as follows: L. j. Craw-
ford of Kentucky, for president Bowling,
for secretary; Omaha, for next convention.
Fred w. Fleitz of Pennsylvania, for presi-
dent; Dowling for secretary; Chicago, for
next convention. A. NJ. Higgins of Indiana,
for president; Bowling, for secretary Kan
sas City for the next convention. While
the convention was assembling the dele
gates gave vent to enthusiasm over the
entrance of forty members of the Young
Mems Mckinley Club, of Dayton, o., who
had come to visit the convention. The
boys made q smart appearance in their
white caps and trousers and blue coats.
They were given seats of honor on the rear
of the platform. Several of the States were
slow in Submitting their lists of members
of committee ana the process of getting
them all together caused a tedious wait.
AT 10:45 Chairman Woodmansee called on
the convention to come to order and cease
caucusing. The committee on credentials
reported that the question OF seats had
been settled amicably, with the exception
of that of the Louisiana delegation of
twenty3,six. headed by H. H.. Blunt
seated, and that the delegation of four,
headed by c.. c. Wilson, be. excluded.
moved to amend the committees report
by seating the four contestants from Louis
iana as well as the twenty-six who were
recommended TO be seated by the COM
mttee. Mr.. Blunt, of Louisiana, chairman
of the big delegation, took the platform,
and in a spirited speech insisted that the
four contestants had no rights as delegates.
He intimated that they were out only for
the 'loaves and fishes" because the Re-
puOllCdllS al . III PONCl AAO OECu " teDlS
Mr.. Straker's amendment. Straker defend
ed his amendment. He wanted to waive
technicalites and pay no attention to the
local quarrels from Louisiana. Other
colored delegates asserted that some of the
contestants were ffee-silVer men, There
was a brief stormy scene, in which sew
eral black and white men tried to talk at
once; then Mr.. Blunt'S motion to table Mr..
Straker's amendment was carried by very
large majority and the report of the cre-
dentials committee was adopted.
The resolutions which were then reported
through the chairman of the resolutions
committee, Colonel Bundy of Ohio declar-
ing unfaltertng allegiance to the ''princi-
pies and policies of the party of protec-
ton, sound money, reciprocity and patriot
ism, as expressed in the st. Louis plat
FORM" were adopted as follows:
STRONG RESOLUTIONS.
1.-THE representatives of the National
League Of Republican Clubs of the United
States, in convention assembled in the city
of Detroit, reaffirm the unfaltering allie
glance to the principles and policies of the
party of protection, sound money, reciproc-
ity and patriotism, as expressed in the St
Louis platform. The faith which prompted
the nomination and election of VIM. Me-
Kinley and a Republican Congress has been
justified and we congratulate the country
on the evidences OF returning prosperity.
We pledge anew the energy and support of
the great army OF organized league men
in every State of the Republic for the
advancement and continued success of the
party of Abraham Lincoln.
I'VE view with satisfaction the progress
that has been made during the short
period of the present Republican admins
tration toward the fulfillment of every
pledge made TO the people and commend the
President and Congress for their prompt
and decisive action in sending monetary
commission to confer with other great now
ers of the world in the interests Of inter
national bimetallism. We rejoice in the con-
clusion of a treaty providing for the an
nexation of Hawaii, and expect that pend
ing the ratification thereof by the Senate
of the United States; the administration
ence.
THE Republican party proclaimed in 1896
its active interest IN and sympathy with the