The record-union., 1899-06-22
KENTUCKY DEMOCRATS.
STATE CONVENTION OPENS AT
LOUISVILLE.
The stone-Goebel Combination
Wins the Election Of
Chairman.

LOUISVILLE, June 21.-The first law
OF heaven had little to do with the reg
ulation of to-days proceedings of the
Democratic State Convention. On the
contrary order gave place to great con-
fusion and after sweltering through
nearly eight hours of tedious hearing
of contests, the convention, without
nominating a Chairman, adjourned ln-I
til evening in whirlwind of chairs,
fans, tally sheets and reporters copy.
Fortunately no one was hurt.
This finale was as unexpected as II
was lively. The sweltering, packed-ln.
jammed together mass of delegates, poi
iIicians and onlookels had yelled them
selves hoarse, famed themselves lal-
lid. 1t was more in a humor to do JUS
tice to a dinner than prize fight. Feel
ing was at high tension over an arsu-
ment that was in progress before Chair
man Johnston, over the contested del
egation from Kenton County, the home
of William Goebel one of the leading
candidates for Governor. Congress
man Ellis, venerable gentleman Of
much vehemence, was eioquently pre-
senting the Goebel side of the case, and
was being interrupted at short inter-
walls by noisy demonstrations Of ap-
proval. AS much of this interference
came from the stage, which was crowd
ed with candidates, guests, officers Of
the convention and newspaper men
Chairman Johnston announced that the
platform would be cleared at the next
| interruption. A 200-pound ruralite, a
little the worse for his political and
spurious excitement, mounted chair
and challenged Major Johnston to carry
out his threat, announcing incidentally
that force would be necessary in has
case. Quick as flash Jim Williams
started from the front of the stage tor
the intruder in a business-iike way,
Williams is a jovial character of some
repute in gunnery and his activity was
the signal for stampede toward exits.
Almost everybody was standing on a
chair when the affair occurred and the
result was a general scramble to get
out Of the way of general disarrange-
ment of furniture Half dozen men
surrounded each of the belligerents and
the disturber was hustled out. Not,
however, until the crowd had cleared
space in the middle of the stage about
thirty feet in diameter, having fringe
of huddled humanity around the edge.
crouched in corners OF behind shelter
ing walls. AS no weapon was '.rawn
this struck the shumor Of the crowd and
quiet was restored, but meanwhile
Chairman Johnston had declared the
convention adjourned until evening.
Aside from this incident, the day ses-
sion was a dull monotony, varied only
by an occasional heated discussion be-
dc of vsixy oil IONS
outburst of applause as one or another
candidate scored an advantage in the
roll call for temporary Chairman, For
this position, the Stone-Goebel combi-
nation nominated Judge David B. Red
wine of Breathett County, while the
Harding men put UP Hon. W. II.
Sweeney of Marion County. When the
roll had been called once, Redwine had
54O1a of the votes and Sweeney 42S1a,
but $50 votes had been passed on ac-
count of contests. These were taken
up by counties and Chairman John
ston, of the State Central Committee,
heard arguments by both sides before
recognizing a contested delegation. This
consumed the entire days session and
caused changes which left the vote at
adjournment as follows: Redwi1ie
5G91a, Sweeney. 52S11a.
When the convention got together this
evening Chairman Johnston took the
Kenton County contest under advise
ment, after which he decided in favor
of the regular delegates in two dis
tricts and threw out the third. Captain
Johnston then announced the result Of
the ballot for temporary Chairman, de-
claring Redwine elected by vote of
5519s to 529B for Sweeney. This
marked the success of the first step in
the Stone-Goebel com mbination. The
announcsmen MT was receivsd with tumu'-
tuous applause.
Judge Redwine made brief speech Of
thanks to the convention and assumed
the chair.
After empowering the Chairman to
appoint committee members of the State
at large the convention adjourned until
tomorrow morning.
l