The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1900-05-03
ntLL[TT[ ENDORSED
PROCEEDINGS OF TERRITORIAL
CONVENTION AT PURCELL.
HAhntR TAKES DtftAT fRAhkEl
The Contest for National Committeeman
Was Practically Settled When Con-
Ventton Mee-The East Side Ring
Have Monopoly of Votes.
to the Ardmoreite.

Special to the Ardmoreite.
Purcell, l. T., May 3.-The Repub-
Iican Territorial Convention, for the
purpose of electing a delegate at
large and five delegates and five
alternates to the National Conven-
ton at Philadelphia, convened here
today.
The convention is composed of
representative men of the party. No |
like gathering in former conventions
could boast of such able and distin-
guished men, whose interest for the |
party was manifested in spirit to-
day that was conspicuous.
There were practically few con-
tests as the majority had agreed to |
support men in their caucus meet |
ing last night and the minority made
no attempt to make an issue with
those slated for places. 1t was evil
dent that the Choctaw, Greek and
Cherokee nations controlled the
situation. The Chickasaw delegates,
however, are fighters and the man
ner in which they stood by Capt.
Hammer was gratifying to his friends.
The contest for national committee
man was practically settled when the
convention met. Since the announce
ment of Capt. John 8. Hammer of
Ardmore and Hon. VIM. NJ. Mellette
of Vinita to succeed National Com
7 Ponnnff frinn6a
erted every influence to see their fa
vorite win.
What is known in the Indian Ter
ritUry as the East side which COM
prises the Choctaw, Creek Cherokee
and Seminole nations and the Qua
paw agency heretofore in contests of
this kind have always agreed and
supported an East side man.
This precedent which was carried
out today resulted in the endorse
ment of Mellette.
| The defeat of Hammer, it is said,
has no political significance so far
as he is involved as an officeholder.
The patronage of the Chickasaw
nation under the control of Mr.. Mel
lette it is stated will not give local
republicans the opportunity had
Hammer been endorsed and elected.
This was the reason today of a
fight for increased representation.
The Chickasaw nation, Southern
District, which has approximately
one-fourth more republicans than
the Northern District and only
the same representation of votes
in the convention. This is also true
of the Central District, apd the
Southern District has been seriously
looking toward a unit with Okla
homa that will give them a terri
thrial form of government.
This was the prevailing sentiment
on the ground today. The East side
element as long as they can control
the political situation i'll the Terri
tory would fight this proposed affili-
alton. That Mr.. Mellette is broad
guaged man and is eminently fitted
for the place for which he was en-
dorsed is not doubted but he has a
strong influence behind him and
some fear this influence in the pat
rcnage.
1t will be remembered by Territory
republicans that Marshal Hammer
was the first territorial national
committeeman and was the man who
secured the only representation for
constituents at the Minneapolis con-
Yention. His defeat was naturally a
matter of regret to his following.
The ArdmOre delegation was com.
posed of Capt. Hammer, A. V. Doak,
L. 2. Hudson, H. D. Reynolds, R.
!; Herr, c. M. Campbell and VIM.
Martin, colored. The Chickasaw
nation sent full representation OF
: delegates. The other nations were
; equally represented, except the
Seminole nation and Quapaw agency.
Among the prominent visitors were
Townsite Commissioner s, N. John
son and Judge Bradford of Ardmore
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