Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-07
DAHEN DRIVES 'EMOUT
He and His Followers Force Ad-
miniStration Men toEvacuate,
BOTH FACTIONS HOLD CONVENTIONS,
Each Elects Delegates 10 Hanover, InSu-
ring Lively Contest There.
FACTIONAL FEELING RUNS HIGH.
The Jackson Ward Leader and
Chairman Smith Grnpple. aud
Things Arc Exciting for Awhile
Russell With Anti-Mnchine Men.
FACTIoNAL FEELING RUNS HIGH.

The Third District Congressional Con-
vention Of the Republican party, which
Is to be held at Hanover Courthouse to-
day, would seem to be a foregOne futility.
The effort made IN Richmond last night
to elect delegates to this meeting DEM
onstrated beyond a peradventure that
such thing as harmony does not exist
in the Republican ranks. and further, that
that party is hopelessly split into three
separate fragments-the administration.
the anti-administration and the Bahen-
Mitchell factions.
Last night, it Is true, the two latter
factions joined forces to discomfort their
opponents, which they succeeded in doing
in a very decided and ludicrous manner,
though in the light Of subsequent events, |
there is little doubt but that they were
/, checkmated, and that whatever spoils |
there may be will belong to those who |
| supported the administration.
SOUGHT TO KEEP THEM OUT.
| The convention was called by the City |
| Chairman, Mr. N. j. Smith, to meet i'm |
| Wikinson's Hall at o'clock. Long be-
| fore that time the crowd began to as
semble but the entrance was carefully
| barred until Mr.. Smith arrived. Then
| only those delegates who had been fur
| nished with tickets were allowed to mount
the stairs TO the hall, and this arrange
ment did not seem to please the gathering
| clans, many of whom We're provided with
papers. which went 10 show that they
We're contesting delegates. In some in
stances. as many as four sets of delegates l.
hailed from a single precinct
There was growing discomfort until,
at last a separate room was found for
the contestants on the other side of the
house from the one where the convention
was 10 be called TO order. Even then !
numbers of those who tried TO gain adj
mittance We're denied. but they took heart
upon the arrival Of Alderman James
Bahen. Mr.. Bahen hesitated for some
time before he tried TO pass the guards,
but he took 10 the stairs with an oath OF
confidence at last, and those who barred
the way were not overgentle in their ef
forts TO persuade him that he was not
wanted. Mitchell, who had been already
admitted, stood at the top of the stairs,
cheering his partner on, and. backed by
some 200 Of his followers Mr. Bahen de-
cided that he had nothing 10 fear, and
made desperate charge for the head or
the steps.
RAN THE REGULARS OUT. {
City-Chairman Smith seized him to pre- I
vent the intrusion and there was a short r
but interesting tussel, which the police ,
arrested by declaring that If the men
passed blows both would be arrested. The d
two men wrestled for some time. while e
many Of Bahen's followers forced the Z
passage and the city chairman deciding a
that discretion was the better part Of Z
valor. Withdrew his guards. and with the
regularly-elected delegates, left the con- /
vention hail. u
There were conferences on both sides. =
The city chairman. with his followers, n
gathered on Bank street by the post -
office. the Victors remained at the hall.
No one could call the convention TO order
except the city chairman, and the con-
testants waited in a jubilant frame OF =.
mind for his return. BY and by, however, -
they followed their opponents 10 the post n
office, and finding arrangements in pro- \
gress to hold the convention In that build
ing. would have forced their entrance,
had not Mr. Bahen warned them not to
attempt to violate a building Of the gov y
ernment.
TWO MEETINGS HELD.
Mr.. Smith. I'm conference with POST
master Knight. Mr. Grubbs, and others.
then arranged 10 hold the convention in
the Office OF Mr.. a. b. DickensOn, in the Al
Shafsr Building, and in order 10 elude the h.
antis. they secured proxies from num- y,
ber Of delegates, while others followed m
10 the meeting place. and CI
then delegates, alternates. city commit n,
teemen. and city chairman We're elected 80
and the delegates were instructed TO vote ~,
as an unit on all qustions. -
The rumor of this meeting soon reached %
he ears Of the opposition, and. after - -
making a futile effort 10 gain admittance, ~
hev withdrew to Wilkinson's Hall, where no
hey went through the same formula.
THE result OF II all will be that two M
delegations will go to Hanover to-day. DC
md some more exciting scenes may be or
ooked COR. The administration delegates Sc
rom this city, backed by the county dele III
-ations. will probably be seated but II vi
I the avowed intention OF the ant-ad-
faction If rhis proves to be IN
ne case. 20 hold a convention Of their op
rp and then submit the result, With all str
he causes that led TO IL, 70 the Congress aW
.ional Committee. by which they conh-
emily hope TO be sustained tai
PTrSSElI. WITH THE ANTS. Is
Mr. otis II. Russell appeared last night
= n leader among the anti-administra- hi'
on men. and the hon0rs fell thick and clu
,st upon him. for he was not only elect aV,
a as a delegate but was chosen city =
bairnan. and il Is an Understood thing Clt
,at he will be nominated for Congress ho'
:, his followers. member Of the ad-
.i,ietration faction said last night that sp
had been the general intention 10 nom 4
,ate Mr.. Russell for Congress, providing 7
1 would repudiate the civil service plat sio
rim but his active cooperation with a /
"a Observation-Disclosures men had made the tiy
animation OF Postmaster Weisiger. OF da-
anchester. a foregone conclusion. ns
NE MACHINE SUPPORTERS CON A
VENTION. nal
The administration men rigidly ex- eAS aS
uded everybody except a chosen few eSr n
ON their place Of meeting. Later they a.
we out the following report for publica- CO. &C..
On: lea
this city tonight. The conven- I,
m was called TO order by Chairman n. -
smith who, on motion. was made tenn ' le.
'iaiy .ay ,amnorary secretary. sell
.sMr Iahn Al pvsh Wa mAH@ "-r""- '"'