The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-07-25
oEMocRATIc CONVENTION.

DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION
When Thos. G. Fitch. chairman of the
Democratic central committee, called the
Democratic county convention to order,
not more than 100 people were in Peerless
hall, and about -fourths Of these
were delegates and most of the delegates
were from the city precincts. The rep
resentation from the county was not
much better IN me afternoon. although
& few came in late. The county dele
gates did not take much interest in the
convention and this shows the weak
ness Of the Democratic party in Sedgwick
county Many of the townships had no
representative. IN the convention Nearly
200 is the number apportiohcd to this
convention, and bat little more than half
that number were IN the hail.
The country delegates took little inter
est in the business of the convention.
They gathered in groups in different
parts OF the hall and talked over the
wheat crop and corn prospects. Only a
Few of the leaders, and most of these
we're from the city. talked over the can
didates. Some of the leaders went to the
them in booming some candidate, but this
was a failure. The farmers were not in
terested in the fusion business either.
This matter received more attention than
the candidates and two or three Of them
did all the talking. Captain Shields on
one side and T. 6. Fitch and s. B. Ami
don on the other. tried to create some
excitement, but thu country delegates
talked Of other matters while they were
speaking and when the vote was called
they stood up with the crowd that
showed the best hand. No fiery speeches
were made except by Captain Shields.
when he denounced Senator Tapp for
Joining the Republican party. and even
this did not rouse the delegates to a
high pitch Of excitement.
When Vermnlion Harris was selected
as temporary chairman, he made a
speech denouncing Long and Roosevelt.
hut the atmosphere wasn't propiuous.
To o fiery denunciation of President
Roosevelt for entertaining prince and
sending a personal representative TO the
court OF St James. the delegates listened
respectfully. but they had no applause to
offer. neither was there applause forth
coming when Mr. Harris rallied against
Congressman Long for chanpioning a bill
which the speaker claimed were fostered
by men who have long passed to the
great beyond.
The day was rather warm. Most OF
the delegates took off their coats and
Iounged around in their chairs and
talked about everything except the bust
ness before them. This lack of interest
and the heat made the applause very
faint. Not once could be heard the big
roll Of applause greeting some saying Of
the speaker. II may be said that this
convention was more Ike a literary SO
ciety than meeting of political party
The men who came to Wichita to at
tend the convention yesterday acknowl-
edged 20 she leaders that there was no
interest In their section of the county
one township had two delegates In their
credentials ii was found that the com
mitteeman from that township and an
other delegate were the only ones at the
primaries. so they elected themselves to
The county convention. Several % the
country delegates stated that some OF
the townships did not even hold pri-
n.aries. There was not enough Demo
Gratis In the county TO hold primary.
Only one little American flag craced
tho walls or tho room. It was four hy
seven feet and huns behind the chair
mans desk. In the rear eff the haI and
along the ceiling, some bunting was
stretched but the Democrats did not do
II. That bunting was placed there wears
ago during some emancipation day cele-
bratlon
II was ten minutes TO Il O'Clock when
Thos. c. Fitch chairman Of the county
central committee. called the delegates
TO order and IN short address he adj
Enonished the Democrats 10 be aggressive
and keep up that moving spirit which
he said. had characterized them for years
They must use great deal ~ common
sense in their campaign this fan. they
must not incur any fractional differences
for they could not hore Il win unless
every member Of the party save the can
didates their whole support The dele
gates should De selected So that thav
would he satisfactory 10 every member
o. the party, men who had many friends
and men who would appeal 70 every Pom
ulist and every Democrat. for without
the Populist support the Democrats had
no hope OF winning. There must be no
sore spots when the convention adjourned