The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-07-20
BECKHAM CLAIM CONTROL
He Defeated Senator Blackburn For
Resolutions Committee.
BECKHAM ELECTS TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN
They Declare Taylor and His Associates Were
Connected With Goebels Assassna-
ton. Contest Over
Credentials.
Credentials.
(By the Associated Press.)

Lexington, Ky, July 19-Delegations
to the Democratic State convention met
by districts this morning to select mem
bers of the committees of the convention.
The Beckham men claimed ito have or
ganized at least seven of the eleven con-
gressional districts, with two in doubt.
Their most notable work was in the
seventh district, where Senator Blackburn
was defeated for member of the Commit
tee on Resolutions. The Senator has been
chairman of this committee many years.
A portrait of the late Governor Goebel,
hanging over the platform, was unveiled
and caused an enthusiastic demonstration.
Chairman Young, of the State Central
committee, called the convention to order
at o'clock. Judge j. e. Robbins and X.
Frank Peake were presented for tenn
porary chairman
Attorney General Breckenridge in pre-
senting the name of Peake, referred to
the troubles in Kentucky and there were
cries CT ''IIurrah for Goebel' and repeat
ed demonstrations for the dead leader.
There were disputes as to the announce
ments of the votes, and finally Chairman
Young ruled against the unit rule. He
declared that a delegate could vote as
he saw fit regardless of unit rules or
other instructions.
Before the ballot was completed it
was evident that Judge Robbins was the
winner, but the Peake men continued To
vote. Before the result OF the ballot was
announced but not until all the 119 coun-
ties had been called. the name of Peake
was withdrawn and Robbins was Sc
lected as chairman by acclamation.
The actual ballot was: Robbins, $40;
Peake, 426 This result was greeted with
a great demonstration by the Beckham
men.
Judge Robbins was escorted to the
platform and spoke at some length. Col
cnel Peake, who was chairman of"the
committee that escorted Judge Robbins to
to the platform and introduced the chair
man, also spoke at length.
Judge Robins in addressing the conven-
tion paid a high tribute to Goebel and
reviewed the contests and conflicts of the
past year. He insisted that assassination
and civil liberty were the issues in the
pending campaign and charged ex-Gover-
nor Taylor and his associates in their
short administration with completely in
the murder of Coebel.
Mr. Peake made a vigorous speech on
pending national issues and incidentally
on ''usurpation and assassination in State
affairs" He spoke longer than Judge Rob-
bins and created quite stir by his argu
ment in favor Of the immediate modifi
cation of the Goebel election law. He said
he would personally prefer returning to
the old Kentucky system of viva voce
voting, but that the popular sentiment
seemed to call for a non partisan system
of elections and to this prevailing opinion
heed should be given if the party were to
be reunited ard restored to power.
Senator Blackburn, who had been de-
feated for member of the Committee
on Resolutions at the meeting of the
Seventh Congressional district was added
to that committee as one of the members
from the State at large. There were only
two changes in the State Executive and
Central Committees.
After the usual committees had been
appointed the convention took a recess
until $50 p. m.
On re-assembling a motion to refer all
tresolutions to the Committee on Re so]a-
'tions was tabled. This motion usually
prevails without opposition, but i was
tabled because of the sentiment among
the delegates regarding the proposed
modification of the Goebel election i;.w,
and a disposition to add some resolution
to the report of the committees plat
form if that report were not satisfactory.
While the convention was waiting for The
Committee on Resolutions addresses " re
made by Ollie James, Willard Mitchell.
John c. Bolen and Ex-Governor Nc
Creary.
Every effort to adjourn was yelled doWr,
although it was announced that neither
the Committee on Credentials nor the
one on Resolutions would report tonight.
Majority and minority reports were
submitted from the Committee on Gre
dentials, and debated until long midnight.