The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-06-26
DEADLOCKED.
Kentucky Democrats Begin on
Second Week
Of the State Convention With
No End In Sight.
LINE OF BLUE COATS
Drawn In Front of the Stage to
Keep Order.
Most of the Time Is Occupied
In Singing.
LINE OF BLUE COATS

Louisville, KY, June 26.-When the
Democratic state convention was called
to order at 10 o'clock this morning, the
three cornered fight for the gubernat-
oriaI nomination was apparently no
nearer to a settlement than on last
Saturday.
Conferences lasting until long after
midnight failed to bring any two of the
candidates nearer together, though for
a time it looked as though Stone and
Hardin might get together. But this
is an unlikely combination for no mat
ter what its result one of the parties
must lose all, for Goebel has the state
organization.
Many delegates have gone home.
What effect this will have on the main
contest is an open question, but it has
seriously alarmed many of the candi-
dates for minor offices.
John S. Rhea got the floor once and
called attention to the presence in the
hall of policemen, the inference being
that theywere not there simply to keep
order. He moved that the chairman
order them removed. The chairman re-
called the attempt of Friday night by
outsiders to interfere with the proceed
ings of the convention; said the police
had been called at his request and de-
clared the motion out of order Rhea
and other Stone and Hardin leaders ap-
pealed from the decision and demanded
a call of the counties. The chair de-
clined to recognize the appeal and or
dered the roll called for a ballot for
governor.
Instantly the convention was in a
turmoil, equal to any of the exciting in
cidents OF last week. The Stone and
Hardin leaders made frantic appeals for
justice and fairness. A dozen of them
gathered in the space in front of the
chairman and with the vociferous sup
port of hundreds of delegates declared
the ballot should not proceed until their
appeal from the decision of the chair
was put to the house.
discomfort
HeVed to be arbitrary decision of the
chair bade fair to put a stop to further
business. Here occurred an incident
well illustrating the state of feeling. A
note was handed Chairman Redwine
and he sat down to read it. Again the
DELEGATES became wildly excited.
What does your boss Say?'' Read 1t
out" they yelled at the top of their
voices. The note was handed to the
clerk and he read. 1t proved a note
from the printer in regard to a shortage
of tally sheets.
c. j. BrOnston, Hardin manager
got the floor and urged his followers to
restrain themselves, asserting that the
motion to remove the police was not
made with purpose to interfere with
the work of the convention; that he
would support the nominee, no matter
how he was nominated but that those
in control of the convention should be
put on record.
Congressman Hotter followed He at
tackled the ruling of the chairman and
loud applause.
Judge Tarvin, of Covington, a Goe-
bel leader upheld the chairman and de-
clared that no appeal lies in a matter
involving the very existence of the con-
ventiOn. The chairman made another
attempt to have the roll call on nomi-
nation for governor but the opposition
created such disorder the clerk could
not be heard.
Then came a deafening chorus of
sing-song yells, the chairman beating
time, with his gavel. After several
minutes of this pandemonium, a face
tiOus delegate arose.
"Gentlemen," he said, after strug-
Cling sometime to make himself heard,
there seems to be general disposition
to sing. Why not sing together Let
us sing Praise God from Whom All
Blessings Flow"
wave of laughter swept through
the hall, then all caught up the strain
and the hymn was sung amid sur
rOundingS that made it sound weird
and uncanny, not indicative of peace
and good will as its mission but sacred
music never had less soothing inf1u-
ence. 1t gave way to the old chorus
and another attempt to start the roll
call was howled down. At this juno
ture delegate rushed toward the
stage. Immediately in front of the
chairman stood a line of blue coats. The
excited delegate began to denOunce the
police, the chairman and things gen
orally. An officer laid his hands on the
arose as one man and a dangerous
movement to the front of the house be-
gan. Every delegate was on his feet
and wildly excited.
This gesticulating, noisy mass surged
forward, pushing back the police and
crowding them against the stage. Four
delegates with presence of mind took
possession of the disturber and hustled
him out of the way The police who
had been stoically listening to all sorts
of denunciation for hours, evidently
took the matter seriously. One of them
Captain Maher, pulled his revolver. His
intention probably was to protect Chair
man Redwine, who had made his way
to the rear of the stage. At any rate
the crowd did not catch sight of the
weapon or the convention might have
developed what has been momentarily
feared for nearly a week-a general
fight.
The cause of the disturbance removed
comparative silence that was not death
like, was restored.
One delegate shouted: 'Mr. Chairman,
I move the convention adjourn to meet
at some future day in Manchester Clay
county, Kentucky" An uproar ensued
but soon subsidized when it had spent
itself. Hardin leader in front of the
call the roll on the appeal.
mo, SIR came the determined an
swer.
MY Country. 'Tis of Thee" began
the crowd and for five minutes the con-
vention took part in an admirable rem
dition of the national anthem. Patriotic
music had even less quieting influence
than religious.
MY Old Kentucky Home" followed
and the gathering became personal
Hang Redwine on sour apple tree
they chanted.
IT