The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-09-01
THE QUAKER DEMOCRATS
EXCITING TIME IN THE DEMOCRATIC
CONVENTION.
Mr.. Harrity's Friends Defeated in the Fight
He Says He Is Not Disappointed
at the Outcome.

Reading Pa. Aug. 31.-The Demo
cratic State convention met in this city
to-day and nominated Walter e. Ritter,
of Lycoming county, for Auditor Gen
eral, and Nj. +. Brown, of Blairsville.
for State Treasurer The matter of
the selection of candidates was entirely
overshadowed by the fight to retire VIM.
F.. Harrity from the national committee.
The opponents of Mr.. Harrity succeed
ed in pushing through by a vote of 900
to 134 resolution endorsing James NJ.
Guffey for his position. Mr.. Harrity's S
friends contend that the State conven-
ton has no power to declare his seat
in the National committee vacant and
that he will not surrender without Il
fight. ~
The morning session Of the convention
ended with a disgraceful row during
which some delegates who did not like
the way things were going, climbed upon
the stage and exchanged blows. A large
detachment of policemen was on hand in
the afternoon and every thing is serene.
The platform congratulates VIM. J..
Bryan, ''the glorious champion of Il
righteous cause" for his mastery leader
ship in support of Democratic principles.
condemns the Dingley tariff bill and
Isympathizes with Cuba and the striking
coal miners. The section in regard to
finances is as follows:
I'VE the Democrats Of Pennsylvania
in convention assembled, heartily reaf-
firm and reiterate the principles of the
Democratic party expressed in the plat
form adopted by the national convention
at Chicago in 1896 and approved by g.
5OO,OO free and Independent voters. We
are firmly and unalterably opposed to the
single gold standard which has been the
direct cause OF the financial distress
that has followed upon our people since
its adoption and we are in favor of
complete and immediate return to our
original specie basis as it existed prior
to the demonetization act OF 1S73,"
HARRITY REFUSES TO DOWN.
Atlantic City, N. j., Aug. 31.-William
f. Harrity, who is here with his family.
showed no dismay over his defeat. He
said: II am not greatly disappointed at
the outcome. When l recall that during
the campaign of last year the names of
such Democrats as VIM. G. Whitney and
David B. Hill were Kissed in meetings
held in Tammany Hall because of their
refusal to acquiesce in all of the declara
tions of the Chicago convention, find it
quite easy to be philosophical over the
situation.
"The action Of the committee and of
the convention is to be regarded as a
disapproval of my refusal to believe in
the free and unlimited coinage of silver
and gold at the ratio of 16 to /, without
waiting for the aid or consent of any
other nation. But it will not change my
opinion in that respect. In my judgment
the time is not far distant when the
Democracy of Pennsylvania will recede
from its present position. 1t must do so
il it desires to win victories in Pennsyl-
vania."
As to his position in the Democratic
committee, Mr.. Harrity said:
"That will be matter for the Demo-
cratic national committee itself which
Is the only body authorized to act in the
premises. will dispute the right OF any
claimant to membership in it from Penn
sylvaHia until the committee itself has
leA nDsa the subject.