Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-08-21
to TImes-kepublican.

Des Moines. Aug. 21.-When morning
came to the 500 delegates in attendance
upon the democratic state convention,
which opened here this forenoon, the
si'ame OF the man to head the ticket was
just as much mystery as ever. The
absolute withdrawal of Cato Sells from
the field left half dozen men of local
strength in the race. none of whom
seemed to be particularly satisfactory to
the leaders. Conferences were held be-
fore the district caucuses convened, with
a view to securing, II fpossible come una
nimlty Of action. but 80 far they have
been without result, Another conference
* called for at noon; which may produce
something. Delegations called upon Cato
Sells this morning at the hotel, request
ing that he reconsider his refusal to ac-
cept the nomination., but to each Sells
declared he would not do SO. Mayor
Phillips, OF Ottumwa, who is an avowed
candidate for governor. is the most
prominently mentioned of those in the
field, but the impression prevails that
the caucus leaders will pick new man
who has not yet been named. To all ap-
pearances the question Of reaff1rmlng
the Kansas City platform in the resolu-
tions will be fought out on the floor OF
the convention. The opposing factions
We're unable to reach any conclusion
this morning, after another conference.
and Sells announced that he would take
the floor for a general reaftirmation,
maintaining that the paramount issue in
Iowa was railroad taxation, and silver
was not involved in the campaign. Both
sides will be heard before the committee
on resolutions. The silver men, led by j.
s. Murphy, demand that the convention,
in specific terms, approve the silver
plank OF the Kansas City platform.
while the gold men maintain that the
resolution OF reaffirmation should read
as follows: Resolved, that we endorse
the ime-honored principles OF the demo-
cratic party" and no other mention be
made OF previous platforms.
Immediately after the adjournment
of the district caucuses, Ave hundred
delegates to the democratic state con-
vention began to assemble In the audi
torium. State Chairman Huffman
raped for the convention to come to
order and was followed by Rev. I. w.
McCash, pastor of the university place
church. with an invocation. The tenn
porary officers of the convention were
then presented as follows: Chair
man, Hon. E. NJ. Sharon, Scott county;
secretary, II. A. Nash, Dallas county:
reading clerk, ]. II. Gillespie, Des
4 Moines.. Chairman Sharon then began
his address, which follows later in
these columns. The working commit
tees Of the convention then reported
from the congressional districts and
adjournment was taken until i: 80 p. m.
The morning caucuses which were
the center OF interest developed more
numerous contests than had been ex-
pected. The net result OF the caucus
ing was to select resolution COM
mittee with a majority in favor OF
eliminating the Kansas City platform
and making the fight on state isues
alone, but in a number of caucuses
altho the anti silver men were beaten
& the caucuses gave Instructions in favor
20 reafirming the Kansas City plat
form. This was true In the Sixth and
Tenth districts.
There was no contest In tht
Sixth district caucus until the resolu.
tions committeeman was reached. D
W. Hamilton, OF sigourpey, was elected
over George Rinehart, OF Newton. by {
vote Of so to SO. Both candidates hat
been invited to make statements before
4 the convention and Hamilton had de,
c,ared he was opposed to any mention
I OF the Kansas City platform. Then Gen
Weaver introduced resolutions instruct
ing him to favor reafiirming the Kansal
City platform. This developed warn
ciecussion and was parsed by 10 to 70
I Hamilton has declared he did not wan
any Instructions. & b.
In the seventh district Walt Rutie
sswaa aeiected for the resolutions commit
{ lee by vote Of nearly two ito one TO
Harley Sheldon. OF Ames.
IN the Fourth district Bishop. Of Clay
con county. who would endorse the Kan
aas City platform. won over =. y. Kie
ron. ef Ayette. atd qholmAn =