The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1897-08-18
C0XEY fOK GOVERNOR
The POpulists of Ohio Go Back on
Fusion.

COLUMBUS, O., Aug. 11.-Fusion was re-
pudiated today by the Populists of Ohio in
a manner so emphatic as to leave no chance
for controversy regarding the future poll
cy OF the party. Inc Popullst state con-
Vention by an overwhelming majority sew
cred the alliance made a year ago with the
Democracy on the silver issue and nomln-
ated full state ticket headed by Jacob
Coxey, of ''commonweaP' fame, as the
nominee for governor. Turbulent scenes
marked the opening OF the convention this
morning. The anti-tuslonlsts mad swept
everything before them, capturing the
temporary and permanent organization
and all the committees and they were on
their mette.
Whel the convention assembled, the re-
port of the committee on rules and order
of business brought out the promised SEN
sation. The report provided that no
speeches should exceed tive minutes. This
raised protest by several delegates, and
an amendment was offered to strike out
the obnoxious section. Finally Peter Witt,
of Cleveland, secured recognition. He
claimed he had proof that Delegates had
been briLed by the Republicans, and he
had the proof, providing he was given an
opportunity to produce it, The matter could
not be presented in five minutes, however.
and he charged that the committees re-
port was aimed to prevent it.
He launched into bitter inVective against
the anti-fusionists, charging that all Of
them had been corrupted by Hanna mon
ey. score of delegates were on their
feet in instant, crOwding around the
chair on which Witt stood. When one of
the delegates attempted to pull Witt off
the chair the latter struck at the delegate
and a general melee was started which
was quelled by number of policemen
who were summoned to the hall.
The anti fuSionlStS were not dlSmayed by
the charges that had been made and the
report of the commute on rules and order
Of business was adopted in it's original
form by vote Of 535 to 40, which was
the first accurate showing OF the relative
strength of the factions
The convention then effected a permanent
organization, Temporary Chairman John
Setz, of Tiffin and Temporary Secretary
A. S. Lightwater, of Newport, being made
permanent officers. From that time on the
fusionsts though in the minority were
very much in evidence but Their efforts re-
suited in nothing except to delay the pro-
ceedings OF the convention. The resolutions
adopted reaffirmed the platforms adopted
by the Omaha and st. Louis conventions OF
the party and took issue on several mat
tiers of local interest.
Before the morning session closed reso-
luton was adopted providing for the APP
pointment of a committee to investigate
the charges made in the convention that
delegates had been corrupted.
At the afternoon session the following
state ticket was nominated:
For governor, Jacob Coxey, Stark county.
For lieutenant governor, Morris Whit
comb, Tuscarawas county.
For supreme judge, d. c. Pomeroy.
For attorney general, c. A. Reider.
Wayne county.
For state treasurer, F. NJ Morris, Aug
laize county.
Shortly after o'clock the convention
adjourned sine die with the understanding
that the committee appointed to investi-
gate the charges would report to the state
central committee.
Rev. J. H. Taylor and Hugo Preyer. Of
Cleveland, both fusionsts, were the prin-
cipal witnesses before the investigating
committee Taylor stated that he had
heard the Republicans were spending some
money to assist the anti-fusion Popuists
and he determined to find out the truth
of it, He said he went to Major Charles
Dick and told him the Populists were dis
satisfied with the Democratic campaign
and suggested that the fusion might be
broken up. He referred to Hugo Preyor
as a prominent Populist whose services
a conference later on.
At that conference he claimed, a ma
jOrity agreed to pay the expenses of head
quarters, literature, etc, for the anti-fu-
sion PopulistS at the state convention.
Taylor accepted SIS and a railroad ticket
Preyor stated he had borrowed a check
for $25 signed by Charles Dick and drawn
on the Ohio National bank at Washing
ton. d. c., which was submitted in evil
dence.