The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-09-01
Special to News-D Democrat.

Special to News-Democrat.
GAINESVILLE, Aug. 30.-All the prelimi-
naries were concluded last night, in or
der to be ready for the convention that
met this morning. A great deal of in
terest is always taken in these prelim-
mary meetings. Sometimes the result
Of the convention is known from the
result of the preliminary gathering of
delegates by districts.
The result was decisively forecasted
In the preliminary meetings last even
ing. The Mclean men carried large
majority Of the 81 congressional dis
tricts and will control not only the con-
vention, but also all the party ma
chinery III Ohio until the next presi-
dental election, since the members of
all committees have been selected aud
through them all the officers Of the con-
vention, as we'll as those who will be in
charge Of the campaign. The Mclean
men are disposed to be liberal to their
opponents. After it was found that
Mclean had at the district meetings
secured control of all committees, many
called on him last night and promised
support from unexpected quarters.
Mclean and his managers then ad-
vised that all the candidates for COVER
nor be voted for on the, first ballot, as
originally instructed, and it was even
suggested that there might be two bal
lots, so as to give as many compliment.
tary votes as possible to the opposing
candidates. 1t was thought that this
would make them feel better for the
campaign and also show what founda-
ton there was for the claims of some of
the Columbus managers of Colonel Kill.
bourne. AT the same time it would af-
ford an opportunity for an enthusiastic
and dramatic scene when all the scatter
ing delegations flocked to the Mclean
standard on the second ballot. Mr.. Nc
Lean was quite modest in acknowledge
ing the ovations last evening. The WIS.,
iting clubs and delegations serenaded
HIM. He acknowledged their congratu.
lations with thanks, but made no
speeches. Colonel Kilbourne was
equally happy in his acknowledgements
of serenades and sometimes did more
talking. Some candidates for other
places on the state ticket had very lively
demonstrations in their interest, and
most of them were also enthusiastic for
Bryan and Mclean.
1t is quite probable that the name of
Mr.. Mclean will be presented to the
convention very briefly. Mr.. Mclean
does not know who will present his
name. Mclean does not believe much
in speeches. He says he would prefer
to have his name presented without
oommendation or a word of comment
General A. j. Warner will present
the name of Colonel Kilbourne in a
stirring speech, and much eloquepce
will be expended on the other candi-
dates.
The preliminary meetings were in
some cases much more spirited than ex-
pected. The Kilbourne men contested
every place on the long lists. The re-
suit showed that the Mclean men car
ried Ia of the II congressional districts
to five for the combined opposition, with
the two Cleveland districts contested.
AS the Mclean men control the COM
mittee on credentials, they claim that
they have the convention l6 to by dis
tricts, as well as l6 to for free silver.
The Mclean men carried the Toledo
district by only three votes and two
other districts by only one vote each,
one of the latter being the district of
Congressman Norton, who is the Nc
Lean man, for permanent chairman.
The other close shave was in the Fif-
teenth district, in which GAINESVILLE is
located, and also Marietta, the home of
General A. j. Warner, who will pre-
sent Kilbourne's name.
At the district meeting General War
ner spoke bitterly against the Mclean
men. After free-for-all fight the anti.
Mclean men bolted and left the room
before this district meeting was con-
cluded. The -McLean men control the
contests, the construction of the plat
form and everything else and held a
noisy jollification.
There have been several unpleasant
passages between leaders, notably one