The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-12-01
VERY HOT IN THE FIRST.
More Than Two Hundred Excited
Voters Present.


More Than Two Hundred Excited
Voters Present.
The school convention in the First
precinct last night nominated E. B.
CritchIow (Rep.) over j. II. Paul
(Dem.) by vote of 300 to 2O5, but not
withstanding the apparent easy ma
jority for Mr.. Critchlow, the proceed
most exciting nature imaginable.
In the first place, there was not an
iota of -partisanship visible during
the meeting. a staunch Democrat and
a Republican equally as faithful had
been placed in nomination, and the
two factions Immediately entered the
fight for blood. The Republicans won
out.
The wardheeler was there in all his
pomp and array, as was the village
clown, whose idiocy upon more than
one occasion threatened to break up
the meeting in a great big row. And
al this was due to the fact that the
convention had failed to appoint a SER
geant-at-arms, who, by the way, could
have made good use of a dozen assist
ants in preserving order.
The convention was held in the south
wing of the exposition building, and
as shown by the vote, more than 500
people were present. The great interest
manifested was largely due to the work
Of both sides during the week past. 1t
has been a hard case of hustle and
the excitement which prevailed was
fully anticipated.
Precinct Chairman Sam e. Allen was
elected to preside over the meeting, and
did so fairly and squarely. Professor
Willard Done was chosen secretary.
The first proceedings of the convention
passed off quietly, no contest being
made over these offices.
When nominations for member of the
board Of education were declared in
order, Hon. c. w. Penrose placed the
name Of J. II. Paul before the conven-
ton. In his remarks, Mr.. Penrose
spoke of the wide experience of his
candidate in educational matters, and
his admirable record as president of the
agricultural college at Logan, from
which position Mr.. Paul was removed
. for partisan reasons. He called atten-
'N5ion to his wise and honest judgment,
and asked the support of the delegates.
regardless of politics.
Mr.. Critchlow was nominated by
Judge George F. Goodwin, who laid
great stress upon his candidates rec
ord on the board, now before the peo-
pie. Mr.. Critchlow," he further said.
has served the state in other capaci-
ties. AS a legislator he acquitted him
self in a manner most credible; he has
never been found wanting. and if will
ing to serve another term on the school
board, the citizens OF our precinct have
no occasion to turn him down."
ENTHUSIASM AWAKENED.
By this time the enthusiasm had
been awakened, and each speaker was
greeted with thunderous applause.
Prominent among the seconding
speeches were those Of Judge LIE Grand
Young for Paul and ]. r. Letcher for
Critchiow. Mr.. Letcher caused some
merriment by stating that his first
choice was a woman, but being unable
to find one willing to rum" he had
decided to give Mr.. Critchlow his en-
tire support.
What puzzled the convention at
this juncture was how to vote the
immense throng. Everybody had
been supplied with tickets upon
entering the building. tickets
for either man were strewn
from one end to the other, and the
chances for ballot -stufffng were
very evident. The candidates, noting
the chance for irregularity both took
occasion to state that 'if the conven-
ton is regular" they would abide by
its decision, but if not, the battle would
be fought out at the polls. After some
, RGlA icy q pan AiiOl llAC DG>l DDSSlDlel
As,gas chosen. a dead line was estab-
Wished, all were gathered on the north
Side, and as each person voted, he or
she was made to step outside the line.
which consisted of benches mounted bv
men stationed closely together, and into
the south side of the room.
TelleTS were appointed by each of the
candidates. Psul's were Joseph Chris
tenson, T. NJ. Holt, A. NJ. Woolley and
John Halvorsen. Critchlow's: Mr.
Parry, George Ingham, Joe Oberndorfer
and A. T. Sanford.
The process Of voting, consuming over
an hour was attended by the greatest
confusion. The south side (outside the
line) soon contained a vast concourse
of voters. no chairs were provided, and
the swaying thTong grew larger every
moment. They would not dispense.
having voted they were anxious to
learn the result, and frequent efforts
were made to break through the dead
line and obtain seats. The guards stood
invincible, with canes and cudgels of
all descriptions, ready to quell any gen
raised aloft, continually shouted.
Wont you be quiet and let the voting
proceed" but to no avail.
CONFUSION INCREASES.
Occasionally man who was late in
10 lllG lINGllllS MOulQ Try 10
join the voters, but was promptly re-
fused admission to the guarded sec
tons. Keep back" excitedly shouted
q guard, you can't come in here st
will go in" retorted the resident, I'm
a taxpayer and l intend to vote
well, wait a WHILE" came from the
guard.
mol d il I'll wait. I'm not going
to stand here and get cheated out of
my vote
"Can the chairman. Allenl Allenl
You're wanted at the door. Where's
that list? Herei come here minute
Meantime the crowd added to the con-
fusion by such shouts as put him OUT
or give the man his vote-of course
he may vote
Chairman Allen was hauled from
place to place to judge whether or not
this man or that man was entitled to
vote, and at the close of the conven-
ton he sat down and breathed a sigh
Of relief, euualed only by that of Mr.
Critchlow. The above occurrence is but
one of many similar ones.