Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-06-08
W. H. DAVIES ELECTED.
WILL BE DELEGATE TO THE REPUB-
LlCAN STATE CONVENTION.

Hot Convention-Heelers Were Numer-
Gus and Doodle Flowed Freely.
William III. Davies, mine inspector of
this district, was selected on Monday as
delegate from the Fourth legislative
district to the next Republican state
convention. His election was accom-
plished by the lavish use of money and
the influence of his position and that of
James E. Roderick, chief of the state
bureau of mining.
The convention was the most corrupt
gathering that has ever been held in
the Fourth district. Bribery and Doodle
stalked trumphantly through the hall
and but little effort was made by the
heelers to mask their nefarious work.
The two factions of the Quay machine
fought a money fight. The Roderick
faction was too strong for the Kline
crowd, consequently they won when the
price demanded by certain delegates was
paid. The anti-Quay people apparently
had but "a limited amount to invest in
votes, and they made very little head
way for Drake after the balloting began.
All the Republican politicians of lower
Luzerne and some from Carbon county
were on the ground early and badgered
and bulldozed obstinate delegates from
the time of their arrival in town until
the winning ballot was taken.
MANUFACTURED ENTHUSIASM.
There were some honest delegates and
honest workers present, who supported
their favorites from choice, but this class
was in decided minority and could
not stand up against the manufactured
enthusiasm and bowling which the
Roderick machine ground out in un-
limited quantities.
Money was everywhere and beer was
bought for all who would shout for
Davies-at the rate OF one. Grink per
shout. Emissaries went through the
hall filling the tanks Of the cheerers and
melting them to howl long and loud
whenever Davies delegates voted.
From the starr the rayies side had
the crowd with them, but only because
on that side lay the most money and
beer. Had Bomboy or Drake more of
the ''stuff'' TO put out, the cheers and the
votes would have gone to him.
FIRST TEST OF STRENGTH.
The convention, in brief, was dis
grace to the Republican party, and
many OF the delegates and the heelers
disgraced themselves and our town by
their conduct. The usual claims and
boasts were current, before the conven-
tlon was called to order by District
Chairman w. l.. Richards. The first
test oi strength was for the chairman
ship. Philip Brior was named by Davies
men and w. f. Adams by tho Drake
Bomboy factions. The latter won by
vote of "a to 10, which showed that the
ansi-Davies people had majority of
the delegates.
II. w Haworth was selected as secre-
tary. A contest from East Foster was
settled by giving the seat to Owen
Mover, Drake follower, which again
showed the Davies crowd to be in the
minority.
SN1 DEh NoI lNDOhsED
A committee on resolutions was ap-
pointed and delayed proceedings half
an hour by wrangling over a paragraph
ndorsing Representative Snyder. The
against Quay, but their wishes did not
prevail and Snyder must get along
through life without this Endorsement.
The resolutions indorsed the course of
the national administration, and par
ticularly President McKinley's course in
the conduct of the war. Senators Quay
and Penrose were lauded for their al
legiance to the party in the conduct of
state and national affairs, while Cover
nor Stones administration was praised
as wise and economical. Ex-Congress-
man Williams was indorsed. Register
Hiram Kuntz was indorsed for renomi-
nation.
When the nominations for state dele
gate were declared open the Cottage
hall was filled to the doors and the
thermometers registered 100 degrees on
the stage.
GETTING DOWN TO WORK.
The names presented were: Charles
Bomboy, Hazeton; W. II. Davies, Halle
ton; Augustus Drake, Milnesvile.
A lengthy squabble over the system
to be followed in voting then took place.
Some delegates wanted a secret ballot,
but this was howled down, principally
by the spectators, and open ballots were
made the rule.
The first ballot resulted Davies, 81;
Drake, IA; Bomboy, 10. The second
was the same.
A motion for recess and another to
drop the lowest candidate were defeated.
At this point the "bookies" began
work in earnest. Delegates were drag
ged from the hall and were reported
"fixed," but the third ballot showed but
slight change-a loss of one for Davies
and one of an increase for Drake. The