Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-08-23
WORK FOR CONTROL
Brice's Friends Cooperating With
Bowling at Dayton.
BOTH FACTIONS CLAIM A MAJORITY
Charges That Intimidation and
Physical Force VIII Be Used.
STORY BOUT M'LEAN

DAYTON. Ohio, August 23.-The prelim-
mary meetings of the democratic state
convention were held today. The contest
for control of the state central committee
has become personal and intensely bitter
so far as the two leaders of the factions,
Joseph Fl. Bowling and Allen o. Myers,
and their friends are concerned.
1t is well known that Bowling represents
ex-Representative Sorg who is candidate
for governor.
The friends Of ex-senator Brice are work
ing with bowling for control of the organi-
cation.
The friends of John r. Mclean, Horace
L. Chapman and others on the other
side. Neither side cares who gets the nom
nations or anything else except the mem
beers of the state central committee.
Up to the time of the district meetings
today both factions claimed confidently a
majority of the twenty-one congressional
ing Of the delegates can be determined I'M
til the report on credentials is made.
For Jnseating Purposes.
Among the delegations whose seats are
contested is the one from Montgomery
county. of which Bowling is a member.
and If he is unseated ne cannot become
member Of the state central committee.
Special efforts are being made to organ
ize the committee on credentials for I'M
seating purposes.
At the conference today there were
harsh and hard words and both sides
charge tFeir opponents with designs for
physical force and intimidation in the con-
yentton hall tomorrow. The convention will
be held at a summer resort outside the city
limits. where the police have no jurisdic-
tiCn.
story is being circulated extensively
here that John r. Mclean would not be
represented by Chairman Dan McConyille.
Lewis G. Bernard or any other of his for
mer ieutenants who are at this convention.
and the reason for his not taking part was
said TO be due to the report that Mr.. Nc
Lean is to succeed General r. a Alger as
Secretary of War in Mckinley's cabinet,
This caused more stir among the delegates
than anything that has been sprung for
years at Ohio conventions. Although Nc
Lean was prominently before the last
democratic convention for the presidential
nomination and would have been elected
senator in place of Hanna if the democrats
had carried the legislature last November
and although his paper, the Cincinnati En-
quirer was considered leading advocate
OF Bryan and free silver the story about
Mclean probably becoming the successor
OF Alger was believed by many of the dele
gates.
Denounced as Absurd
The fractional fights and al other usual
by the discussion of the reports about the
attitude of Mclean and the ENQUIRER
While some delegates are busy denouncing
II as an ante-convention sensation and
riciculously absurd, it is certainly COM
HlandlnS more attention than other mat
Iers which are not disputed. The Brice
Sorg and other elements seem 20 be cir
Culatlns very studICusy the Mclean story
Nfether they believe ii true or not
Gen Isaac Sherwood of Stark. who has
peeh mentioned for secretary Of state ar
rived last night and declined to stand for
the nomination. Upton X. CUTLERY of
Marion and Carl H. Nau of Guy ahoga are
added TO the list OF those willing to head
nomination go
Ihe opposing factions last night were
N conference. with Joseph Downing as the
presidlng spirit in enc and Allen O. MYERS
IN the ether. Bowling stated that his side
Mas sure OF sixteen Of the twenty-one con-
siSssiof al districts Myers stated that his
districts, but he had no figures to give out