The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-06-22
DEMOCRATS
STAMPEDED.
Kentucky State Convention
Takes to Its Heels.
Frightened by the Outlook For
Fight.
NO WEAPONS DRAWN.
Confidence Soon Restored and
Pow WOW Continues.
Entire Day Consumed Without
ElAptin0 Cha irman
NO WEAPONS DRAWN.
Entire Day Consumed Without
Electing a Chairman.

Louisville, KY, June 22.-The first law
of heaven had little to do with the reg
ulation of yesterdays proceedings of
the Democratic state convention. On
the contrary order gave place to great
confusion, and after sweltering through
nearly eight hours of tedious hearing of
contests the convention. without nomi-
mating chairman, adjourned until
evening in a whirlwind of chairs, fans,
tally sheets and reporters copy. Fortu-
nately no one was hurt
This finale was as unexpected as it
was lively. The sweltering, packed-in,
Jammed-together mass of delegates
pontlcians and onlOokers had yelled It
self hOarSe, famed itself pale and it
was more in a humOr to do justice to
dinner than a prize fight. Feeling
was at high tension over an argument
that was in progress before Chairman
Johnston, over the contested delegation
from kenton county, the home of VIII
liam GOebel. one of the leading candi-
dates for governor. Congressman Ellis
of the Sixth district, a venerable gen
tlenan of much Vehemence. was elo-
quently presenting the GoebeI side of
the case and was being interrupted at
short intervals by noisy demonstrations
of approval As much of this interior
ence came from the stage, which was
crowded with candidates, guests, Off
GERS of the convention and newspapers
men, Chairman Johnston announced
that the platform would be cleared at
the next interruption. A 200 pound ru-
ralite all the worse for political and
spirituOus excitement, mounted a chair
and challenged Major Johnston to car
~ out his threat, announcing inciden-
tally that force would be necessary in
his case. Quick as a flash Jim Williams
started from the front of the stage for
the intruder in a business-like way.
Williams is a local character of some
repute in gunnery and his activity was
the signal for a stampede toward the
exits Almost everybody was standing
on a chair when the affair occurred and
the result was general scramble to
get out of the way and a general disar-
rangement of furniture. Half a 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
80 feet in diameter, having a fringe of
huddled humanity around the edge,
crouched in corners or behind shelter
ing walls. As no weapon was drawn
this struck the humor of the crowd and
quiet was restored: but meanwhile
Chairman Johnston had declared the
convention adjourned until evening.
Aside from this incident the days
session was a dull monotony, varied
only by an occasional heated discussion
between heads of rival delegations or
an Outburst of applause as one or an
other of the candidates scored an ad-
vantage in the roll call for temporary
chairman. For this position the Stone
Goebel combination nominated Judge
David 3. Redwine of Breathitt county,
while the Hardin men put up W. H
Sweeny of Marion county. When the
roll had been called once .Redwine had
5401s votes and Sweeny 1881, but $50
votes had been passed account of
contests. These were taken up by
counties and Chairman Johnston of the
state central committee heard argu-
ments by both sides before recognizing
a contested delegation. This consumed
the entire days session and caused
changes which left the vote at adjourn
ment as follows:
Redwine 56912; Sweeny 5281a.
When the convention got together in
the evening, Chairman Johnston took
the KentOn county contest under ad-
Visement after which he decided in ia
vor 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 a vote of
557 SIS to 529 1-6 for Sweeny. This
marked the success of the first step in
the Stone-GOebel combination.
The announcement was received with
applause Judge Redwine made a very
brief speech of thanks to the convention
and assumed the chair. After empoyv-
ering the chairman to appoint commit
tee members for the state at large, the
convention adjourned until morning.