Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-07-03
THE MONTANA CONTEST,
Half an Hour Allowed Zach Side In
Which 20 Make Arguments,


Kansas City, July 2.-The national
Democratic committee held its first
session today but did little business
beyond appointing subcommittee to
hear the contests. The subcommittee
to consider the Montana contest Is
Williams (Mass), Campbell IN. ",
Clayton (Ala), Ferguson (N NJ, and
Wilson (Colo) Messrs. Williams and
Clayton are said TO be favorable to
the DAILY delegates and Messsrs. Camp
bell and Ferguson to the Clark peo-
pie. Mr.. Wilson's position is not de-
fined.
The subcommittee appointed 10 in
vestigate the various contests met at
o'clock. In the case of the Montana
contest an hour was allowed on each
side Of the controversy Mr.. Corbett
made the opening argument In behalf
Of the Clark delegates. while Gov.
Smith performed a like service In be-
half Of the Dalyites.
The case turend upon right OF chair
man Of State central committee to All
vacancies on eommittees Mr. Cock
rell a DAILY man. held the position OF
chairman and attempted 10 I'LL these
vacancies, the Clark members OF the
committee objected 10 this proceeding,
and Mr.. Corbett insisted that the COM
mittee should have been allowed to
MI vacancies. IL was upon this point
that the split occurred. and for this
reason Mr.. Cockrell was deposed by
committeeman from fourteen to twenty
four counties Of the State.
Mr.. Corbett also contended that nine
teen of the twenty-four counties Of the
State were represented in the Clark
convention and that a majority Of the
uncontested delegates sat in this con-
yention He also said that no place
In Butte had been designated in which
the convention should be held so that
one place was as regular as any other.
Mr.. Corbett assorted that this not a
contest between Clark and DAILY, but
a controversy between the people and
the copper trust, which was attempt
ing to control the political affairs Of
the State.
Gov. Smith devoted his argument
largely TO showing that the practice
In the State is favorable TO permitting
the State chairman to MI vacancies.
This practice has prevailed for twenty
years and he asserted that no objec-
ton had been made 60 appointments
when Clark men had been selected TO
fil vacancies. The State convention
was held at the place selected by the
committee having that matter In
charge, and there was no misunder-
standing on this point at the time.
Gov. Smith argued at length for
recognition of the practice Of the State
as the controlling factor 20 settle con-
troversy over the filling OF vacancies
In State committee. In the convention
there were only six counties repre-
sented, but these counties contained
a majority OF all the delegates Of the
State. II was a fact that these were
the counties which cast the Democratic
vote OF the State. He charged that the
Clark delegation from Meagher county
had been secured by taking convicts out
OF Jail to vote for the ticket.
Gov. Smith also contToverted the as
sertion OF Mr. COrbett concerning the
copper trust. He said that since he had
been governor, the legislature had
passed q bill in the interest Of the
trust, and that he, as the States chief
executive, had vetoed IT, At that time
Mr. Clark and the members of the
legislature who had voted for that
gentlemen had supported the bill" II,
therefore" he said, Mr. Clark is not
now a copper colored man he was then
UP to his neck, and know what l am
talking about"
Judge Mcconnell closed for the
Clark delegation and W. S. Hartman
for the Dalyites. The Subcommittee
adjourned without reaching a final
decision. II Is understood the commit
tee stands two and two for and against
Clark. and one undecided.