Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-09-22
ALMOST BLOWS.
Warm Time at Massachusetts
Democratic Convention.
All Kinds Of Abuse Heaped on Fitz-
gerald and Williams.
Ticket Headed by Robert Treat Paine. IT,. ard
John n. Mack.


Music hall here, in 1896, and that at
Worcester, the following year. were re-
newed with even greater bitterness at
the annual convention OF the state De
mocracy in Mechanics hall. today.
There was hardly moment, after the
speeches OF the temporary and perma-
nent presiding officers were concluded.
when there was quiet and harmony in
any degree. At times the entire dele
cation was upon its feet. the men
standing on chairs or tables. shouting
in the heat of passion some dcnuncia-
tory remark at the chairman or the
person who was endeaVoring to speak
upon the platform.
At times il seemed as though even
the force Of 100 policemen in the hall
would not avail 50 impassioned We're
those upon the floor and the climax
came when. at the request Of the
chairman. Hon. w s. McNary. the
captain of the police appeared upon
the platform and placed his hand up
on Congressman John L. Fitzgerald. in
readiness to forcibly remove him from
the platform. had he not subsidized and
allowed the chairman to address and
calm the excited assemblage.
The cause Of the tumult. which rar-
ed for nearly three hours. was the
question before the body accepting the
action Of the state committee IN pre-
senting a little list of delegates to thu
national convention of Democrats. next
June. II was claimed by those who
opposed the idea that il was against
al precedent and robbed the various
districts Of their constitutional rights
The personalities which were indulg-
ed in We're directed as much against
Congressman Fitzgerald as against MIR
Williams. the party leader and some
hard names were called on either side.
At times it seemed as if party issues
had been thrown to the winds. while
audience and speaker hurled at each
other such epithets as Josiah the
Third" Concord Megaphone," Steep
in in political crime, Put him out.
"Oh. shut up" etc.
The final result Of all the confusion
and discord was the overwhelming
passage Of every motion and report
that was made by the state committee
on that portion of the body organiza-
ton which is guided by Mr.. Williams.
lltt luNlIlS bIlc dtbIllpll 81 liit IidiIoIlll
as presented. the nomination of state
ticket and the election Of national con-
vention delegates. headed by Robert
Treat Paine. Jr.. candidate for Gov
ernor, and John H. Mack for Lieuten-
ant Governor, and the election Of ma
tional convention delegates The
state ticket follows:
For Governor-Robert Treat Paine Jr
Boston.
For Lieutenant Governor-John H.
Mack. North Adams.
Secretary of state-Harry Lloyd. Boston
Attorney seneral-John II. Morrison.
Lowell.
Auditor-W. L. Ramsdell. LINN.
Treasurer-JOseph j. Flynn. Lawrence.
The convention was called to order
by Temporary Chairman Christopher
T. Callahan. at 11.20. over an hour af-
ter the time specified in the call There
We're over 1900 delegates seated in the
auditorium at the time, and the mem
bers Of the state committee occupied
the platform. Prominent among those
near the speakers stand was Hon
Thomas j. Gargan, and upon his ap-
pearance with Hon. George Fred Will
liams. the brass band in attendance
played Home Again From Foreign
Shore in recognition of Mr. Williams
home coming from Europe. and Mr..
Garsan's return to the regular Demo-
cratic party. he having differed with
them on the monetary question in 1896
Upon the platform also were Hon !
Alex TrOup. national committeeman of
New Haven, Conn: Judge James T. |
Tarvin Of Kentucky; Carl Vrooman
Of Kansas; Hon. George w. Greene. !
mayor of WOonsOcket. X. T.; Hon H |
$. Cummings Of New London. Conn: |
Hon. Willis j. Abbott and George H. |
Shepley of New York City.
At the close of Mr.. Callahans OMEN |
ing address, he introduced Hon. w. s. |
McNary. secretary of the state com |
mittee. as permanent chairman.
The various committees We're ap- |
pointed, Hon. George Fred Williams |
being chairman of the committee on
resolutions. 1t was then reported that |
there We're present 1471 delegates out
Of 1899 entitled to seats.
The first sign of discord developed
when Col. A. c. Drinkwater Of
Braintree, moved the appointment of q
committee to present nominees for del
gates to the national convention. Be
fore the motion could be put. w. H.
Doyle of Brockton, amid cheers and
Kisses. tried to amend the motion to
he effect that it was the sense of the
that action should not be
aiken on the matter at this time. but
t should be left for settlement. next
June, as usual. The amendment was
ost and then eXMayor Walter l..
of Lynn, vigorously denounc-
ID the proposed action OF the state ,
committee. He was followed by Hon.
'harles Haggerty of Southbridge, in {
to the plan, and Patrick
iilroy Of Springfield. who favored it.
The latter declared that the delegates
hould not bow the knee to Mayor I
quincy of Boston,"
The excitement was at fever pitch !
when, amid the cries of hundreds for
he right to speak. the chairman recog- I
lized Hon. John F. Fitzgerald. He was
greeted with cat cries. Kisses and ,
CONTINUED on mage 2)