Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-08-01
FREE SILVER DEMOCRATS
SHOW THEIR STRENGTH.
THE FUNNIEST LITTLE CONNEN-
TIoN EVER HELD IN ONO MET
IN HOTEL BEDROOM.
REPORTERS IN THE MAJORITY
NOMINATED A FULL STATE TICKET
AND ADOPTED A REFEREN-
DUN PLATFORM.

COLUMBUS. Ohio, July 31.-"The
progressive Democratic party" was or
ganized here to-day. The attendance
was so small that many doubted at first
whether any attempt would be made to
hold a State convention.
The week following the recent Demo-
cratic State convention a conference was
held at Cleveland. protesting against the
present Democratic State platform
ignoring Bryan, free silver and other
issue, and in not reaffirming either of
the national platforms on which Bryan
made his runs for the presidency. At
that conference call was issued for a
convention OF Bryan Democrats and
others opposed to the Democratic and
rsepublican State platforms to meet here
to-day. But less than a dozen men re-
sponded to them and to-day attended
the christening of the new party.
George A. Groot was both temporary
anu PtA Nildii man. ehe. w 10 ih'hN
chairman of the State committeeNof the
new party. His name was presented
for Governor, but he said he did not
want any nomination. lie was after
ward put on the ticket for supreme
Judge. but he declined to accept 1t. The
convention was held in his room at the
Great Southern hotel. and in that small
room he made his keynote speech OF a
half hour In length. Those who met
with Chairman Groot were J. w. Lind
say. of Delaware; DR.. Abner L. Davis,
of Tindlay; Bernard Hubart, of Toledo:
Richard Inglis, of Youngstown; r. B..
Council, of Columbus; George w Moore,
of Greenville, and II. NJ. Huber, of New
Richmond
The reporters who We're perched on
and about the bed outnumbered the
delegates two to one. A few spectators
stood at the open door. The total at
tendance did not exceed thirty. while
the forms of State convention were
carried out between the hours of and
4 p. m.
A delegation from the Hooking Val
ley, headed by Henry Leonard, Of
Logan. and consisting Of Hiram Tan
ming, w. p. Bates. George Guthrie and
two gentlemen from New Lexington, re-
foht kat hal IN
the city to attend the convention, and
being unable to find 1t they went to the
races.
1t 10 doubtful If there ever was more
amusement at convention than in the
little gathering here to-day. Even the
promoters Of the movement did not
disguise their disappointment at the
small attendance; they enjoyed the par
ticipation of the reporters, who used
the chairman's bed in the absence OF
chairs, and who were allowed to take
part in the proceedings with sugges-
tons. At the conclusion of the pro-
ceedings the reporters, who were in the
majority, were given a vote of thanks,
the minority.
The assembly hall in the hotel had
been engaged for the occasion. but
when the hour of o'clock arrived, the
delegates and reporters took the eleva-
tor for Chairman Groot's room, the re-
porters suggesting that the Populiss
conference last night kept cool on tho
fire escape and that the convention to-
day might be held in the elevator"
Bernard Hubert called the convention
to order and at once announced George
A. Groot as temporary chairman, and
DR.. Abner L. Davis as temporary sec
rotary Order was restored at once,
when Groot arose and spoke for half
an hour.
At the conclusion OF his address
Chairman Groot was enthusiastically
applauded. The temporary organiza-
ton was made permanent and other
routine business was transacted with
dispatch.
1t was announced that the platform
sent out from Cleveland on July II in
circulars and published at the time in
papers, had already been adopted on
the referendum system by many sub
cori harc IN the game
The following ticket was nominated:
Governor-Dr. Rudolph Reemling.
Lieutenant Governor-Henry G. Cor
derer.
Supreme Judge-Rial NJ. Smith.
State Treasurer. c. Shepard.
Attorney Generals. l.. Clark
Clerk of Supreme Court-Charles
Bonsall.
Member of the Board of Public Works
R B. Connell.
Ii was decided to call the new organ
ization The Progressive Democratic
i arty."
1t is customary for conventions always
in Ohio to authorize their State committee
to All vacancies. but this was not done
to-day. After Chairman Groot and others
left tonight. DIR. Reemelin positively de-
o1;r "A tbo povnioo tiov far f.ovorpor M a.