The Savannah morning news., 1900-06-20
SOUTH FLORIDA VICTORIOUS.
PALMER DEFEATS FLETCHER FOR
TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN.


Nomination which May Be Made
To-day-stockton Talked of as a
Dark Horse other Convention
News.
jacksonville June 19.-The unexpected
always happens, especially in matters po-
litical, and this was eXemplified this after
noon, at the Stale Democratic Convention,
when, at the first contest of strength be-
tween the two main struggling factions,
State Senator Palmer of Hillsborough,
was elected temporary chairman, defeat
ing Hon. d. U. Fletcher of Duval by
narrow margin, but sufficient 20 insure his
election.
Fletcher had been confidently expected
to be elected with but little opposition,
but the deals and shuffies on the political
chess board, turned the scales, and Hills
boros champion won. OF course this
may be overturned on other questions, but
nevertheless it was the first trial. and the
southern and western delegates came
out on top. 1t is very PROBABLE that the
temporary organization will be made per-
manent, without any further struggle.
Fletchers friends were greatly disapp0int-
ed over the result, as all had confidently
predicted his selection without doubt
The greatest Democratic State ConVen-
ton Florida has ever known, both 10
the number and intelligence of the dele
gates and the arrangements or the trar s.
action of the convention work began its
work here at noon, in the big Emery Au-
ditorium. The big hall with its elalorate
decorations, presented a magnificent sight.
As the delegates fled in they speedily
found their PLACES, each county having
large ga!ly painted placards over their
owing to the splendid arrangements made
by the various committees in charge.
Hundreds of visitors filled the side and
end seats among them scores OF fair
ladies in their bright garments. These,
with the gay badges of the delesa es,
made the hall bright with color and pre-
scented a pretty sight.
Preliminary Organization.
Promptly at noon Hon w. A. Rawls,
chairman of the S at Democratic Exec
utive Commit ee, cal ed the convention 20
order. John c. Cooper of this city, sec
rotary OF the comm e., read the oili-
cial cal, and Rev. r. Y. A Iii son Of the
McTy Church offered prayer.
Chairman Raws then announced that
the next bu iness was lhe eie ton of a
temporary chairman
Hon. d. L. Fletcher of Duval was plac-
ed in nomination by Judge b. S. LiGd0n
Of Pensacola in an eloquent speech. 1t
was received with lcng and prolonged
cheers. Mr.. Williams OF De Soto county
placed in nom nation Senator Thomas f.
Palmer of Hillsborough.
Dr. L. Montgomery Of Alachua second
ed the nomination of Fletcher and in the
course of his speech made a happy hit by
recognizing the presence OF the fair sex
and paying them prompt tribute. He also
complmeted Jacksonville for its work in
providing such a magnificent hall for The
delegates.
Hon w Carter of Hilsboro seconded
the nomination of Mr.. Palmer in a neat
and witty speech.
Hon. M l.. Mershon of Osceola and Mr.
Hnburn of Putnam both warmly second
ed Fletcher's nomination. Hon. Frank
Clark of Duval then delivered one Of his
forcible and eloquent addresses, secondins
the nomination of Mr.. Fletcher in very
earnest manner. He had his hearers with
him and all applauded his effcrts most
vigorously.
The roll call was then proceeded with,
the result being Fletcher 1874, Palmer
1891.
wanted Recount.
AS the vote progressed, cheers filled the
air as each ones choice received votes,
and at the close, | as the chairman an
nounced the vote, the air was rent with
cheers for minutes. hats were thrown in
the air, and general pandemonium reign
ed for a few moments.
AS there was some idea that mistake
had been made, Hon. Frank Clarke arose
and made a motion to have the vote re-
counted. This was resented by the Hills
borough delega ton, and few others. Sew
eraI attempted TO address the chair upon
the subject After some deliberation he
stated his decision that, as the vote had
no< been doubted before it was
announced he could not enter
tain the motion now. Mr.. ClarN
accepted the situation gracefully, moved
that the election be made unanimous,
which was done with a shout, amid cheers
for Clarke.
Messrs. Fletcher, Mershon and Palmer
CIV. b. of ORANGE were appointed a com
mittee to escort the ewly elected chair
man 10 the stage. Mr.. Fletcher iutroduc
cd him to the convention I'm most COM
planetary manner, amid cheers and
shouts. Mr.. Palmer thanked the consen-
tion for The honor and was greeted with
great applause.
L. w Zim of St Johns county was
elected secretary, and Editor Frank Wal
pole of the Palmetto News assistant sec
rotary.
The Committee on Credentia was then
named. The committee went into ses-
sion this afternoon, and owing 10 the
contested deleeat ons, have plenty of
work before them.
After this there being no business that
could be transac ed, the delegates ac-
c pted the INVITA- ION EXTENDED by ne East
Co lst Railroad foc a trip 10 Pablo by
The sea- and che convention adjourned till
$50 this evening.
Fully 800 delegates went down to Pab
10. while many others went cut - see
the ball game. Others spent he remand
er of the afternoon visiting old friends in
The city, while o hers still got into quiet
consultations in their headquarters.
Most of the delegations held caucuses
this afternoon before the evening session,
and decided what action to take upon GER
tain questions, how to ballot and other
matters of the kind. Much activity was
displayed around the leaders headquart-
ers and 1t could be seen that all We're pre-
pairing for the fight they confidently eX-
pected, either tonight or Tomorrow.
Convention Notes.
The question of the capital removal IS
still vexing one with many delegations.
according TO inside Information. ana they
don't know how to handle it. other dele
cations are using this as a point to make
deals upon, and it has had a good deal of
affect already upon the situation. The
friends of the measure are confident that
the convention will pass the resolution, as
large numbers of the delegates admit its
necessity and say they are in favor of it.
What the Committee on Resolutions will
do i'm the premises will depend upon its
composition somewhat and also upon the
situation MS il would affect their can IL