The age-herald., 1900-08-30
Split Occurred Over the Tempo
 rary Organization.
BOTH CLAIM TO BE REGULAR
Situation Presents a Perplexing Cues ton and State Committee May be Called Upon to Adjudicate
 Differences Existing.

Goodwater. Aug. 29-(SpeciaL)-Aftero one of the widest scenes ever enacted by political gathering in Alabama Hon. Chas. w. Thompson and Hon. Willis Brewer emerged from the convention and the re- cent bitter campaign today, both claiming to represent the unterrified Democracy of the Fifth Congressional District as the regular candidate for Congress. There were separate and distinct organizations doing business in the same hall at the same time, and the confusion was indescrible. One chairman would be on his feet putting motion in loud voice as his lungs could muster, while his rival officer continued to shout the roll of counties.
 No convention held by rival Republican factions ever presented more disgusting scene. Cat calls, howls and lusty shouts were used to drown out the voice of every speaker who attempted to secure recogni- tion. At one time serious trouble was feared but outside of cutting affray between two men on the streets no one suffered bodily harm.
 As the situation now stands, both the Brewer and Thompson factions have nom- inated a candidate for Congress, chosen the members of the district executive commit tee, made speeches of acceptance and con- gratulations and adjourned. Both claim to be the regularly nominated candidate for Congress.
 The Outcome in Doubt
 Just what will be the outcome of this remarkable state of affairs cannot be told at this hour. It is said that the State exec- utive committee will be asked to pass on the case, but as such an action Is unpre- cedented, there appears to be no way of getting the case before that body, except by petition of a number of Democrats. This will probably be done.
 It was expected that today's convention would end one of the most hotly waged campaigns ever instituted in Alabama, but 1t has ver1ly been jump from the frying pan into the fire. Since the convention ad- journed, excitement has increased, and partisan feeling Is rampant. A meeting of both the newly elected executive commit tees have been called to meet tonight and caucuses seem to in order. The Bulger- Brewer combination remained intact, while Heain steadfastly stuck to Thompson.
 Shortly before o'clock this afternoon the District Executive Committee held meeting and the Brewer men who were in the majority seleotd Lamar Smith of El- mor temporary chairman of the conven- tion The minority members of the com- mttee-Hefhn of Randolph, Driver and Whatley framed a minority report recom- monding Felix L. Smith of Rockford in place of the Fillmore man.
 The Convention
 At 230 o'clock the convention was called to order in the chapel of a school house several hundred yards from the public street. The hall though of good size entirely too small for the enormous crowd of perspiring politicians which packed it from end to the other. At one time it was feared the floor would give way but the crowd decided to risk it and promptly at the hour named the stormy scenes began.
 D. M. White, Chairman of the District Executive Committee, supporter of Brewer, climbed to the stage and called the crowd to order. Without preliminary regards he introduced Lamar Smith as temporary chairman Hardly had MT. Smith reached the center of the stage be- fore a howl went up from the Thompson cohorts Quiet was soon resumed and Judge Driver of Chambers rose and ad- dressed the chair, submitting a minority report. After repeated attempts he was refused recognition and appealed from the ruling of the chair. Tn strong voice he then addressed the convention and put the question on his motion. A deafening chorus of ayes went up and Judge Driver promptly declared Hon. Felix Smith of Coosa the choice of the convention for temporary chairman Then there was trouble in the air MT. Smith mounted the stage and began speaking.
 Like a Three-Ring Circus
 In the meantime the other chairman had begun making a roll of delegates and was loudly calling out the counties. The hall was lkened unto a three-ring circus, spectator being unable to watch one per- pormance and keep up with what was going on at the other side of the rostrum. Within a remarkably short time Chairman Lamar Smith announced that his conven- ton was ready to consider nominations for Congress, the Thompson convention mean while waiting the reports of a credential committee appointed by Chairman Felix Smith. The names of Willis Smith and Thomas L. Bulger were immediately placed before the Brewer organization and the call of counties began.
 The first ballet resulted Brewer 26 2-3, and Bulger Il 1-8, both Clay and Coosa being voted solidly for Brewer. Great confusion existed at this time, and the announcement of the vote could not be heard 10 feet from the chairman.
 The Brewer chairman held that thirty one votes were necessary to choice in his convention and accordingly proceeded with the call of counties. This was kept up for over an hour, sixty-two ballots being taken. The call became so monotonous that it grew laughable.
 While this convention was proceeding, with dogged determination the Thompson convention's credential committee re-