Omaha daily bee., 1899-06-24
ROW In DEMOCRATIC RANKS
Delay in Report of Credentials Committee
stirs Up Lively Row.
ERUPTION is TOO VIOLENT TO LAST
Man Who Raises All the Disturbance
Pours Oil the Troubled
Waters and the Delegates
Take "A Rest.


will enter upon the fourth day OF its ses-
sions tomorrow, without having accom-
plished anything more than temporary or
ganization. The report OF the committee
on credentials was reached in the order OF
business tonight, but its consideration was
prevented by the disturbing influence of per-
sons who were admitted to the floor of the
convention though entitled to no seats. The
Hardin people place the responsibility for
this on local sympathizers OF the Stone
Goebel combination, but the latter candi-
dates disclaim all knowledge of an attempt
to pack the convention and declare the dis
turbance was due to loose methods of the
arrangements committee. What influence
the conference will have on the chances
Of the candidates can hardly be foretold,
but Hardin is mostly likely to profit by it.
1t is thought the convention will get down
to work in earnest tomorrow.
Kentucky democracy went adrift to-
day. After tugging for two days
at its cables which had been Sc
curely placed in the hands of Tenn
porary Chairman Redwine by the Stone
Goebel combination it finally loosened Its
moorings and for half an hour foundered
about rudderless in the open stream. There
were thirty minutes of wild excitement,
Of cheers and yels, jeers and cat calls The
Kentucky democrat is emotional by ma
ture, and demonstrative by training. Two
days in the leash has tried his selfrestraint
beyond the danger point. So. when the
chairman for the fourth consecutive time
since Wednesday night declared the con-
vention adjourned after a viva voce vote
which his opponents declare was too close
to be determined in that manner and had
refused the call of the counties as demanded
by them, they were primed for explosion.
Judge Redwine left his seat. but not
the delegates. They had come to attend
a convention not to run up hotel bills and
swelter in the sun. There was no lack of
leaders for the Hardinites and soon they
were up to a high tension. The Goebel-
Stone followers remained in the hall to
see what was coming off and tried with
their cheers to drown the angry yels of the
opposition.
The rumors Of possible bolt had flooded
the hall and the hotel corridors all day In
deed meeting had been held earlier in the
afternoon in a neighboring hall. at which
a number OF disgruntled delegates, princi-
pally the Hardin Louisville delegates. who
expected to be unseated, had a resolution to
present against the alleged arbitrary ruling
of Chairman Redwine. This added to the
already bitter feeling among the followers
of the three gubernatorial candidates.
Pronston Raises a Row
When the noise and confusion, had lasted
about fifteen minutes. Charles Bronston. a
fierce Hardinite, elbowed his way through
the excited delegates and mounted the
stage. He had great difficulty in making
himself heard and when he did his words
only added fuel to the flames.
The body l love better than life itself"
he exclaimed at the top of his voice, lis
| in the hands of cutthroats and assassns.' y
The frenzied crowd was on its feet waving
| hats, canes, fans and handkerchiefs and
| yelling like mad, the minority in approval
| and the Stone-Goebel people to cry them
| down. Every man on his feet and the
! space Immediately in front of the stage
was jammed with an excited. gesticulating
noisy crowd. Bronston tried in vain 10 pro-
ceed. The battle of voices ragged for sew
eral minutes. Finally Bronston resumed
but his voice was lost in the storm Of
! yells. He continued TO talk to those near
est TO him but only a few OF them could
| catch a word here and there.
! Now whether Bronston has miscalculate ed
| the effort OF his words. or whether he had
not counted on being interrupted before he
| could qualify his remark, is not clear. AT
any rate. when he made himself heard
again, after five or ten minutes. he con-
tinued in a more conciiatory vain.
but we must be patient said ne.
Come back at s O'Clock and let us settle
our differences in this hall. II this con-
vention is again declared adjourned with
out regard TO the rights of the delegats
we will elect another chairman and pro-
ceed with the business that brought us
| here"
This brought cheers from both sides and
! oF, min NJ gradually snb-
siding excitement the hall was cleared
| This NAV have been the exhaust Of a safety
valve which prevented bolt later in the
proceedings Certainly the feeling was in
tense and the pent up emotions OF the
crowd. which had been closely kept down
for two days, were getting beyond control.
Plea for More Time.
Two short sessions OF the convention were
held today, one in the morning, at which
the only business transacted was the adop-
tion Of resolutions in memory OF the late
Richard P. Bland OF Missouri. Then a re-
cess was taken until p. m, TO await the
report OF the credentials committee, which
II was announced had been in almost con-
/ tinuous session all last night and still had
enough contested seats 10 pass upon To
keep it busy until the hour named When
the convention reassembled in the after
q
behalf of the credential committee. Har-
din man offered a resolution for the dis
charge of the committee and the disposal
OF the contests by the convention itself
This was declared out OF order, the de-
cision provoking the first demonstration OF
the gathering storm. Then came the mo-
tion TO adjourn, and II broke with full
force. After half an hour OF the lveliest
mass meeting even Kentucky democrats ever
saw. the delegates left the hall with ominous
words and looks which betokened little tran
quillity for the evening session.
The delegates came back from dinner
much refreshed and in good condition for
a renewal OF the order of the afternoon
The Hardin people called attention TO a
number OF persons in the hall who they
charged were not entitled to seats. They
made frantic appeals for the election OF
these people. saying unc5mplimentary
things OF the Louisville police and urging
that the convention be adjourned to LeXing
ton, One or two speeches by delegates
smoothed things somewhat and al O'Clock
the credentials committee was ready tc
report.
This announcement for which the conven,
tion had heen waiting for three davs did moi