Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-07-20
BECKHAM'S MEN WIN
Kentucky Democratic Convention
Controlled by the Young
Governors Friends.
aoEBEL LAW ONE OF THE ISSUES
Organizing a Third
Party Observation-Disclosures Fired
from an Industrial Meeting.


cratic state convention adjourned at
this morning. after unanimously NOM
mating Beckham for governor and
adopting a platform recommending
the repeal of the Goebel election law;
until that is done the republicans
have two representatives on the state
and county election commissions. The
Kansas City platform was reaffirmed-
Lexington. Ky, July 20-The Demo-
cratic state convention was called to
order here at Do yesterday afternoon
by State Chairman Allie NJ. Young.
The first and greatest demonstration
of the convention occurred when the
drapery yelling of the large portrait of
the late Governor William Goebel was
removed. and the audience went wild
with hurrahs for Goebel, as if he were
living and standing before them. The
only work of the convention was to
nominate a candidate for Goebefs IN
expired term and the adoption of 4
platform. During the agitation of the
past two days here it became known
that the first test of strength between
Governor Beckham and the field, in
Guiding Black, McCreary. Lewis, Tar
vim, Smith, Pryor and Garnett, would
come on the election of temporary Of
tcerS.
First Test of Strength Takes Place.
Chairman Young started stir on
announcing at once that nominations
for temporary chairman were in or
der. The name of Judge J. Z. Rob
bins was presented by Nat Halstead
and that of r. Frank Peake by Judge
Robert J. Breckenridge, who is attor-
ney general under the Beckham ad-
ministration. After the usual rounds
of seconding speeches the balloting
proceeded with the lines closely drawn
by the Beckham men supporting Rob
bins and the combined opposition sup
porting Peake. After the last of the
119 counties had been called the name
of Peake was withdrawn and Robbins
was unanimously made the temporary
chairman by reclamation. The ballot
as cast was: Robbins, GIG; Peake,
446. The Beckham men had during
the forenoon carried seven of the eIev-
en- congressional districts for members
of committees with the result in doubt
in couple of the other districts.
Two Leaders Make Speeches.
Judge Robbins paid a high tribute
to the late William Goebe and re-
viewed the contests and conflicts of
the past year. He insisted that assaS-
SlnatlOn ana CIVIL liberty were the is
sues in the pending campaign. and
charged Ex-Governor Taylor and his
associates in their short administra ton
with completely in the murder of Goo
bel. Peake made n vigorous speech
on pending national issues and Incl
dentally on ''usurpation and aSSasSina-
ton in state affairs" He created quite
a stir by his argument in favor of the
immediate modification of the Goebel
election law. After Peake closed the
organization was completed and
recess taken.
At 2:4O Il. m. today the convention
had adopted the reports of the creden-
tials and other committees, including
the platform, which declares for fair
elections and recommends that the act
of 1898 known as the GSSDel election
law be amended and that until so
amended as to be satisfactory to all,
the Republicans shall have representa-
tives on both the state and coun-
ty boards of election commission
ers. The Kansas City platform is re-
affirmed on national issues. The adj
miniStration of Governor Beckham Is
indorsed. At that hour Beckham had
been placed in nomination and second
ing speeches were proceeding ad lib.
The convention had been in session
since 8 p. III. and employed itself prin-
cipally in listening to speeches and
refusing TO adjourn.