The Savannah morning news., 1900-07-20
CHANGE is FAVORED.
SENTIMENT FOR MODIFICATION OF
THE G0EBEL LAW.
CONVENTION WITH BECKHAM.
HIS CANDIDATE FOR TEMPORARY
CHAIRMAN CHOSEN.

Blackburn Defeated for Member of
Committee on ResOlutiOns-That
Committee Was wrestling with
the Question of the GOebeI Law Mt
Midnight and no Report WAS EN-
Dected Until TO-day-Night Spent
in Speech Making.
Lexington, Ky, July 19.-Delegations TO
the Democratic State Convention met by
districts this morning to select members
of the committees of the convention.
The Beckam men claimed to 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 Black
burn was defeated for member of the
Committee on Resolutions. The seator has
been chairman of the committee many
years.
A portrait of the late Gov Goebe!,
hanging over the rlatfcrm, was unveiled
and caused an enthusiastic demonstra tion.
Chairman Yourg. of the State Central
Committee, called the convention to order
at O'Clock. Judge j. f. Robbins and r.
Frank Peake were presented fer tempor-
ary chairman
Attorney G neral Brecki inrlese in pre-
sentirg the name of Peake referred 10 the
troubl in Kentucky and there were cries
of "Hurrah for Goebel!' and repeated
demonstrations fer The dead leader.
There were disputes as to the announce
ments of the votes and finally Chairman
Young ruled against the unit rule. He de-
clared that delegate could vote as he
saw fit regardless of unit rules or other
instructions. Before the ballot was com
pleted it was evident that Judge Robbins
was the winner, but the Peake men con-
tinued to vote. Before the result OF the
ballot was announced, but not until all the
119 counties had ben called, the name of
Peake was Withdrawn and Robbins was
selected as chairman by acclamation.
The actual ballot was: Robbins, 640
Peake, 426 This result was greeted with
a great demonstration by the Beckham
men.
The Temporary Chairman.
Judge Robbins. was escorted to the plat
form and spoke at some length. Col.
Peake, who was chairman of the commit
tee that escorted Robbins to the platform
and introduced the chairman, also spoke
at length.
Judge Robbins, in addressing the conven-
tion. paid high tribute to Coebel and re-
viewed the contests and conflicts of the
past year. He insisted that assassination
and civil liberty were the issues in the
ion oh
Taylor and his associates in their short
administration with completely in the mur-
der of Goebel.
Mr.. Peake made a vigorous speech on
pending national issues and incidentally
on ''usurpation and assassination in state
affairs" He spoke longer than Judge
Robbins and created quite a stir by his
argument in favor of the immediate modi-
fication of the Goebe election law He
said he would personally prefer return
ing to the old Kentucky system of viva
voce voting, but that The popular senti-
ment seemed 90 call for a non-partsan
system of elections and 10 this prevailing
opinion heed should be given if the party
were to be reunited and restored to power.
Senator Blackburn. who had been de
feated for a member of the Committee
on Resolutions at the meeting of the
Seventh Congressional District was added
from the sfate-at-large. There were only
two changes in the Stale Executive and
Central Committees
After the usual committees had been
appointed the convention took a recess
until $50 p. m.
working or Resolutions.
On reassembling a motion to refer all
resolutions TO the Committee on Resolu-
tions was tabled. This motion usually
prevails without opposition, but il was
tabled because Of the sentiment among the
delega les regarding the proposed modi-
fication of the Goebel election law and
disposition TO add some resolutions to the
report of the Committee on Platform if
that report were>not satisfactory.
While the convention was waiting for
the Committee on Resolutions addresses
were made by Ollie James, Willard Mitch
ELL John c. Bolen and ex-Gov. McCreary.
The speaking continued until toward
midnight. Every effort to adjourn was
yelled down. although il was announced
that neither the Committee on Creden-
tials nor the one on resolutions would re-
port tonight.
Messengers were finally sent to the com
mittees 10 ascertain if they could report
during the night Majority and minority
reports on credentials were presented at
LAO o'clock.
The contests related mostly 10 the dele-
gates from Campbell and Kenton counties,
and the delegates headed by Congressman
Berry and other and who favored Judge
Tarvin for Governor, were unseated by
the majority report
Protracted arguments were made for
both the majority and minority reports.
The most bitter language was used in some
speeches and charges of all sorts were
made against both sides,
Az 2:30 q. m. the previous question was
ordered and the call of 1l9 counties began,
when a voice cried: I'VE won't go home
til morning"
After arguments had been made for
both the majority and minority reports
Judge Tarvin made a stirring speech. The
minority re-ort was submitted and then
the majority report was adooted as
amended and tie Tarvin delegates were
seated amid the widest che ring
WANTS TO GO TO CEi-I.