The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-07-20
Governors Friends Captured State
Conventions Temporary
Chairman.
HIS LINES STILL STRONG.
Movement TO Postpone Amending
the Gccbel. Election Law Dis
concerts Lead2rs-Extra
Session Opposed.

| Lexington. Ky. July Ex-Governor Beck
| ham won the opening struggle in tho Demo
| cratic State Convention here to-day. Ad-
ministrat.ca leaders say tonight that the
| young Governors lines are strong and solid.
! and that HIS noniuation is sure.
The opposition has done little boasting
I to-day. bu; has prepared itself for the bat
tie On tie convention floor. when the Com
| niittce on Resolutions submits It's recon-
| mendations on the amendInen, of the Goebel
law.
| \ movement tonight. accredited to Send-
| tor Blackburn. is gaining strength. Tho
| proposition IS 10 delay action on the Goebei
law. This is vigorously opposed by Beck
| ham.
Ii was almost midnight when the Com
mittee on Credentials finally cams IN with
Ma jority and minority reports.
The large audience listened TO the arSu-
ments on ward politics in CoyiHe;on. New
| port and other places, and In the weary
hours after midnight We're still patiently
| listening 10 the story Of local contests.
Checrcd Goeb~rs Picture.
Tho convention was called to order at rs
r. N. by State Chairman Allie N. Young.
The first demonstration Of the convention
occurred when the drapery veiIins Of the
large portrait of the late Governor William
Goebel was removed. 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 nomi-
nate a candidate for Goebers uuexp!red
term and the adoption OF n platform.
This opening scene reminded many of the
convention a little over 4 year ago, when
Goebel entered the convention as third In
the race and finally secured the nomiua ton.
IL also reminded them of the tragedy and
stirring times of the last year that are now
concluding in the trials at Georgetown, on
~ twelve miles from this city.
During the agitation Of the last two days
here Il became known that the first test
OF strength between Governor Peckham and
his opponents would come ON the election Of
temporary officers. and Chairman Young
started stir by announcing AT once that
nominations for ! temporary chairman We're
In order.
TIE names OF Judge ]. T. Robbins and
r. Frank Peake were presented and the bal
lnting proceeded with the lines closely
drawn by the Beckham men supporting Rob
bins and the combined opposition supporting
P.ake. Although it was evident that Rob-
hirs would win before the call had proceed-
cd half way. the Peake men remained in the
race Till after the last of the lie counties
was called. when the name of Peaks was
withdrawn and Robbins was unanimously
made the temporary chairman.
This was accepted a second ties, Of
strength between Beckham and the field
as the Beckham men had druing the fore
noon carried seven OF the eleven congress
sional districts for members OF committees
with the result in doubt in couple OF other
districts
Civil Liberty the issue.
Judge Robbins, In his speech, devoted his
attention entirely 10 State issues growing
last year. He paid high trsnute to the
late William GOcbei and insisted that AS
sassinatior" and civil liberty We're the
issues IN the pending campaign. He charged
former Governor Taylor and his associates
with completely In the murder OF Goebel
n result of the resistance that he said.
thpE advocated md advised and u hirh they
promoted by bringing about armed In
vasiOn to the State capital.
Mr.. peake WAS then called out and made
a vigorous speech ON pending national is
sues and "usurpation and assassination in
State affairs" He created stir by his
gument In favor of the immediate modiiica-
tton 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 nonpartisan system OF elections
and to this prevailing opinion heed should
Ice given II the party was to be reunited and
restored to power.
He sal; that the Republicans were hoping
that the Democrats would not meet che
popular demand for a change In the cleo
ton laws and that their only hope should
be blasted by the Democrats being equal
To the emergency OF the hour AT 4:30 the
convention took a recess till $50 tonight
Discussed GoebeI Law.
Ex-Governor James Il. McCreary, who
came to the convention candidate for
Governor. made a strong address tonight
While awaiting the reports OF the commit
tees. He predicted that. like jefferson and
jackson. Bryan failed OF election In his
first rare. but would be successful at last.
He commended the Kansas City platform.
which he said was good enough for ali
Democrats. He said IL mattered not who
ran for Governor. all would be found fight
Ing for Bryan.
Attorney General r ]. Breckinriage de-
nounced the men who killed William Cioebel
ir strong terms. He held the Republicans
responsible for the troubles at Frankfort
last winter. William Thorn said Taylor
would be brought back from Indiana and
made TO stand trial for tho assassination OF
Governor Goebsl
At a conference last night II was agreed
that the Resolutions Committee be re-
call an extra session OF the Legislature TO
amend the law.
This caused a hard fight, and the COM
rlittee was unable to make its report at
1879 o'clock. There was q movement.
which set in after the strength of Governor
Beckham was fully developed. against
time. or nj least. 10 allow the Governor
to exercise his own pleasure in the mat
ter. At the head of the PROPOSED amend |
mert was Senator ]. &. s. Blackburn.
After arguments had been made for both !
the majority and minority, in which the |
most bitter language was used. and charges |
the majority rule was adopted amen led !
and the Tarvin delegates were seated. amid |
wild cheering.
The report Of the committee recon- |
mended that the temporary organization he |
made permanent. and the report was |
adopted.
AT leo a. m. the convention refused TO
adjourn and began the call OF counties for |
The nomination of Governor.
The presentation OF the names OF the |
candidates followed, although there was no \
doubt whatever OF the nomination of Gov
ernor Beckham, who was the platform
ready 10 make his speech Of acccptancr
AT go a IN. speeches we're proceeding No
nomination was probable for an hour or
more.
KANSAS SENATOR TALKS.