The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-04-12
DEMOCRATS In
A QUANDARY
---
Fail to Find Candidates for Of
iices On Tap.
--------
COUNTRY DELEGATES OBJECT
-
They DO Not Approve Of the MON
OreI Idea Straight Democ-
racy Or Nothing.
COUNTRY DELEGATES OBJECT

an uhubual amount OF talking and
baking. the number OF delegates pres
ent being taken into consideration.
These characteristics. however, have
grown 80 common in the county, since
the populistic bellows have been added
to the other vociferous qualities Of the
"unterrihed," that no one was sur
prIsed at the proceedings, animated
as they proved 20 be.
AS was forecasted In the Astorlan
yesterday morning. the democrats did
nothing more Of importance than TO
choose delegates TO the state and con-
gressional conventions except to dis
cuss the best manner in which a ticket
could be placed before the people TO
defeat the candidates nominated by
the republican party a few days ago.
This was where the rub came in.
The city delegates favored fusion with
the dlsgruntled republicans, populists
and other remnants Of political indis-
position. while the delegates from the
country refused TO stand pat on any.
thing but a straight democratic ticket.
The city delegates argued that moth
Ing could be accomplished unless a
combination Of forces was effected.
the country delegates held that II were
better to go down 10 defeat than con-
sent TO a compromise.
But over and above all the argu-
ments, the most perplexing proposi-
ton confronting the delegates was the
fact that few Of the important and in
fluential citizens Of the county could
be Induced to accept the nominations
on tap at the convention. One OF the
delegates said to an Astorian repre-
sentative;
The republicans have taken Stokes
away from w and We must cast about
for some one 70 take his place"
The same idea seems to apply
to nearly all the other republican can
didates ata the present moment, al
though there are reasons to suppose
that the democrats will make stag
ger" at putting up an independent
tIcket-provIded they decide not to
fuse.
Dr. Henderson. ,ate secretary Of the
county central committee. took the
floor to state that he doubted enough
candidates could be induced to run
on straight democratic platform to
fill out the ticket. In support OF his
contention that a citizens movement
would be far more popular than an in
dependent democratic movement, DR..
Henderson undertook to explain that
the republicans held a large majority
In this county and combination Of
forces would be required to make a
showing against them.
A. B. Coe, OF Svensen. saw no rea-
son why the convention should not
proceed TO nominate a ticket. Let
us stand on our principles and make
our own fight" he demanded.
Herman Wise then arose to explain
that the democrats ought not to be in
hurry to place their candidates In
the field.
IF We We're to nominate a ticket
today" said MIR. Wise, "the campaign
would be too long. Let the republican
candidates get in and wind themselves.
We will come in stronger at the finish. Z"
But Delegate Coe, of Svensen, had a
word or two to say and would not be
discouraged by the suavity Of the city
delegates, He desired to know why
there We're not more delegates present.
A convention of democrats in this year
OF grace and county campaigns ought,
in his opinion, TO call out more of the
faithful than was represented on the
floor at the time. He thought the
convention should nominate ticket
without delay.
Seafeldt, commandant Of Astoria, No.
6. could not agree with Mr.. Coe.
I'VE cannot consistently nominate a
ticket today he declared. I'VE are at
present like lot of sheep without
bellwether; like an army without a
general"
William Kelly, one Of the Astoria
braves. interrupted the proceedings
with a motion that the convention re-
solve itself into committee of the
whole for the purpose of arriving at
a conclusion OF some kind, but Mayor
Bergman who, for the first time rails
ed his voice in the convention, thought
such course would be useless as there
was mo Use to make nominations at
this time"
"Who are we going to nOmlnate?"
asked Mr.. Bergman. Shall we, by
going into executive session, sit around
here and make fools of ourselves?"
Mr.. Noland then came to the rescue
by entering into lengthy speech in
which he proclaimed, in behalf of his
city brethren and for the pacihcation
of the country delegates, that there
was no slate, begging the convention
not to be in a rush.
Let's talk this matter over" said
Mr.. Noland. There is no occasion for
hurry. I believe the best interests of
the party and the people at large viii
be better subserved by united action