The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-07-04
STONE WINS OUT AGAINST
STEPHENS AND PHELPS.
Former Governor Is Reelected National Committeeman and
Is Placed on the Resolutions Committee After
Sensational Fight
BY E. s. AUSTlN.

Kansas City. Mo-. July s.-Former Gov
ernor William J. Stone OF Missouri was to-
day Reelected member of the Democratic
National Committee by reclamation and a
member OF the Committee on Resolutions OF
the National Convention after the hardest
fought battle in which he ever participated.
The fight In the delegation was intense and
dramatic throughout. The situation at
times seemed serious enough TO almost pro-
woke personal encounter. In hot room
with scarcely a breath of air stirring the
delegates from Missouri to the Democratic
National Convention sat for two hours
Governor Stone threw the gauntlet down
to Colonel W. II. Phelps and Governor Ste
phens in the presence of the entire deieGa-
ton. He called them the Siamese twins. and
when Governor Stephens protested de-
clared that he had more respect for W. H.
Phelps than he had for Governor Stephens.
AT one point in the proceedings Governor
Stone. turning to Colonel W. II. Swift of
ST. Louis. In dramatic climax called him
liar. In controversy with Colonel Ed
Butler Of st. Louis few minutes later the
same epithet WAS passed to Governor Stone
Colonel Phelps sat only a few feet away
from his antagonist and nervously patted
the floor with hts foot
Governor stone at the start was apparent
!y defeated. When the CAUCUS me. he real
lied the situation and he pulled out a vic
tory. In order to make his stand known TO
the Democracy of Missouri he took the floor
and denounced the corporation influence in
Missouri politics. His speech was a plea. as
ne said. In the interest of the party After
II mad been made the sentiment of a num-
Der or delegates changed. and he was
elected to the Resolutions Committee by one
vote. after which Dave Ball got the floor
before the vote had been announced, and
moved that Mr.. Stones election be made
unanimous. which was done.
In the Caucus.
The Missouri delegates to the Democratic
National Convention gathered at headuuar-
tiers across from the Baltimore Hotel at
1:3o o'clock this afternoon. All members of
the delegation were present except A. c.
Stuever of st. Louis. who was represented
by Mr.. Toole, the alternate
Hardly had the roll been called when
John H. Carroll of Unionville moved that
the caucus be executive.
T. I. Crittenden. Jr., Of Kansas City
asked that the press representatives be al
lowed to remain. Colonel Swift of ST. Louis
protested. and Doctor Gore of Saline Coun-
ty said it was question on which all
members present should desire that the
actions of the caucus should be made pub
lie. and that Missouri Democrats were en-
titled to know what went on there.
Il am opposed to any star-chamber pro-
ceedings" said Doctor Gore, in conclusion.
Mr.. Carroll withdrew his motion for ex-
ecutfve session. and the fight began imme-
diately. Governor Stone. who had called
the meeting TO order. announced that the
first thing would be the selection of the
chairman of the delegation. Colonel W. II.
Phelps sat a few PAGES away, while the
other delegates were seated or stood around
the room.
D. A. Ball nominated Governor Stephens
and Tom Crittenden nominated W. r. Ed
gar of Iron County
The vote stood: Edgar, Is; Stephens. q.
The members Of the delegation voted a.
follows: For Edgar-W. J. Stone, l.. V.
Stephens, Waddy Leeper. Charles Risley. T
T. Crittenden. Jr.: S. N. Wilson. w A.
Shelton. Doctor NJ. c. Gore, James Buck
ner, G. D. Biggs. John E. Organ, L. l..
Scott and ". T. Wood.
For Stephens-W. H. Phelps. D. A. Ball,
John Knott, John H. Carroll, Robert Haley,
Doctor Steckman W. H. Robinson, L. d.
W. D. Thomas. E. NJ. Carter ]. P. Toole
(proxy for Stuever Of St. Louis). Phil Sc
bastian. S. ]. Burke. ]. p. Sweeney. W. H.
Swift Ed Butler, Sr.: w. II. Edgar. Thomas
Connolly, b. T. Morris.
Governor Stone appointed Dave Ball and
W. H. Phelps to escort Governor Stephens
to the chair.
were elected secretaries.
Governor Stone announced that he had
tickets and badges for the delegates. The
box was placed on the table, and both he
and Gov ernor Stephens called the names OF
the delegates. They came forward and re-
ceived their quota Of tickets and badges.
Colonel Phelps then moved that nomina
TORS be made in the following order: First,
National Committeeman; second Commit
teeman on Resolutions; third. Credentials:
fourth. Permanent Organization: fifth, vice
president Of convention, sixth. assistant sec
rotary; seventh. members of committee to
notify nominees for President and Vice
President.
Ramsey placed ". J. Stone in nomination
for National Committeeman. He was
elected unanimously.
The Big Fight.
T. T. Crittenden, Jr., secured recognition
from the chair and Immediately placed Mr..
&C mmittee on Resolutions. declaring that
he was the choice of the people.
Colonel Knott Of Hannibal was recog-
nized. He said he desired to advance the
interests Of the Democratic party; that
honors should be passed around, and that
he would nominate d. A. Ball Of Pike
County.
W. r. Edgar arose to second Stones
He said he did not desire to
disparage Mr.. Ball. but when Governor
Stone sounded the note Of warning in Mis-
souri, from his bugle he was worth 10000
men.
I'VE need a staiwart man." said he. land
second the nomination of william J.
Stone"
Doctor Gore Of Saline seconded Stones
saying: He is a man not only
of State but also Of national reputation.
No man Is better known than Stone. He Is
a national character. and the National
Committee expects him to be placed on the
Committee on Resolutions.
w. II. Swift seconded the nomination Of
Ball He said he desired to detract nothing
from Stone.
Dave Ball has fought battles. He ex-
presses the sentiment of the State of Mis-
souri, as we'll as any man can express our
sentiments. He is entitled to the honor, and
for that reason 1 am for him.
stone Talks Strongly.
Governor Stone arose from his seat on
the edge of a nearby table. He mopped the
from his forehead and tossed
then began to speak slowly, as IL studying
each word before II dropped from his Inns.
This question:" said he. lis not a Ques-
ton for man. If 1t were, 1 would not con-
sent for a moment that 1t should be dis
cussed now. Every man knows what the
issue signifies and every man knows what
it means. I am personally Indifferent as TO
the outcome. l am opposed, however, Mr..
to the influences that are con-
trolling seeking to control the Demo-
cratic party in Missouri. To be more spe-
cifc. I am opposed to corporate influences"
This matter does not affect Mr.. Ball He