The times., 1899-06-23
THE KENTUCKY CONVENTION.
Plot to Take Control by Force
EaiIs for Lnck of Nerve.


Louisville. June 22.-The State Demo-
cratic Convention transacted but little
business today. At the morning session an
attempt was made by the Hardin forces 10
carry resolution practically tying the
hands of the chairman elected by the op-
position. On account of a rumored defec-
tion in the Stone ranks the GoeDel men
moved to adjourn before the vote was
taken and the chairman declared the ad-
journment carried. The convention met
again tonight, but as the credentials COM
mittee has scarcely begun labor another
adjournment was taken until tomorrow
morning.
The convention will probably last until
Saturday might.
The Stone Goebel forces control the com
mittee on credentials and it is an open
boast that out of 300 contested votes con-
siderably over 100 Hardin votes will be un-
seated.
The rumor of big detection in the
Stone following is gaining much strength
and the Goebel forces are plainly uneasy.
SO far, however, they have been victorious
rn every point. The motion of the Hardin
side to reverse the order of the nomina-
ton, making rthe gubernatorial contest the
last TO be taken up. in order to make the
combine show its hand, was killed in the
committee on organization. Minority re-
ports are certain to be submitted in the
three principal committees. There are
grave rumors tonight of a prospective split
convention on account of the unfair deal
which The Hardin men claim they are re-
ceiving 1T the hands of the Goebel chair
man.
f The report of the committee on resolu-
tons VIII endorse Bryan and the Chicago
platform and denounce trusts.
Had certain signal been given last
right the stage at the convention would
have been the scene of a bloody fight.
The Whallen faction had decided to cap
ture the convention by force the moment
decision was given by Chairman John
ston that would elect the temporary
chairman. They anticipated a decision
for the Goebel candidate and massed their
hghttng men on the stage. Shortly be-
fore l O'Clock Jim McGill. of the Whal-
len side, had had a conference with Jim
Williams about putting his men on the
stage Williams told McGill to pass them
in by the side door and said that he wou d
see that they were seated on the stage.
This was done.
w utH IL was announced tnat IL would
take thirty or forty minutes to settle the
contests. the anti Whallen men saw WI at
was up In few minutes the Whallen
men on the stage were outnumbere1
three to one. There were to be several
conflicts on the floor of the convention
hall, but the stage was to be the bloody
arena. Every Weaverite had his Whallen
man picked out Everybody was armed
too. Brass knuckles and knives were no
few. The Whallenites were looking fol
trouble, and the anti Whallenites were
hoping it would arrive.
At O'Clock Chief of Police Hager ar
rived in plain clothes. He was closely fol-
lowed by all the captains, lieutenants, ant
sergeants, with few corporals and pri-
Yates thrown in. They were all in Dlair
clothes and were armed to the teeth
Seeing they were outnumbered, the Whal-
len followers quailed. Chairman Johnston
had refused to allow Mayor Weaver tc
bring police into the hall, and they were
smuggled in by the Goebel men in plair
attire.
Jack Chinn was lined up at the Goebe
end of the fray, and his old partner. jim
Williams, was in command of the Whaller
or anti-Goebel forces. Only the lack o
nerve on the Whailen side prevented {
fight.