The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-09-22

| The democrats assembled in conven-
tion here yesterday consumed the day
in clearing the ground for action. The
| conventions sessions were brief. There
were three of them, each less than an
hour in duration, and the expected
great debate in which Ex-Governor
Toole of Helena and ex-senator Mats
of Anaconda were to be paired against
each other did not materialize. Toole
and Mats are the acknowledged ora
tors of the democratic party and a de-
bate between them would have been
treat indeed to the crowds which filed
the Margaret theater all day.
| At the conclusion of the three sessions
of the day the situation is this: The
democrats, populists and silver republi-
cans have each appointed committees
to confer in regard to fusion; the prop
| ositions made by the democrats were
rejected by the other parties, whereupon
the democrats declined to listen to any
further overtures and the fusion prop
| osition was declared off. The conven-
tions will start this morning nomi-
mating their tickets. The populists and
silver republicans were engaged last
evening in the attempt to fix up a fu-
sion, and it is likely that they will agree
to-day on joint ticket, as neither par
ty is desirous of entering the campaign
single-handed.
Most OF the sensations expected in the
democratic convention exploded in air
and, compared with what was expected
the days proceedings were a disap-
pointment. The Clark forces were over
from Butte in strong numbers to kick
against the seating of the Silver Bow
delegation. But the Clark forces found
no support among the delegates Will
lam McDermott. chairman of the late
Clark campaign committee; Charles w.
Clark. E. L. Whitmore. John b. Well
come and others were over and worked
hard. But the delegates which were
supposed to be on the Clark side of the
house told the Clark people cruelty to go
and make a reputation for themselves
in Butte before they came the baby act
before a state convention. So the Clark
folks concluded that it was another case
OF Butte primaries, and retired. There
was nobody to present their kick. and
the Silver Bow delegation was seated
without a dissenting vote.
The stage of the Margaret theater
was beautifully draped for the con- !
vention. There was a profusion of |
hags, while in the midst of them an |
peared a healthy looking American |
eagle, perched on a pedestal A state
convention in Montana never assem-
bled in a finer hall and that was the
sentiment Of all the delegates. flu
sionist in the person of Mr.. Norris Of
Beaverhead was selected for tempor-
airy chairman, and proved a most ex-
cellent presiding officer. the anti-fu-
sionists making no fight against him.
In fact, the anti-fusionists all day de-
layed their fight. and finally things in
the convention shaped themselves
without a fight. 1t was expected that
Lewis and Clarke county would resist
the selection of A. ]. Campbell of Silver
Bow as permanent chairman, but again
the expected test vote failed of reali-
zation.
The opposition to the appointment of
a conference committee proved much
weaker than was expected. When Fred
Whiteside Of Kalispel and Sydney Fox
Of Sweet Grass came out in favor OF
the appointment of the conference COM
mittee, the hearts OF the Lewis and
Clarke and Missoula opponents seemed
broken and the vote favorable to the
committee was well-nigh unanimous.
The COMMITTEE as appointed included |
three men favorable TO fusion and two
opposed 10 it. Those favorable to fu-
sion were, however, not in favor Of |