Omaha daily bee., 1902-09-21
MERCER ON FIRST BALLOT
Second Congressional District Republicans
Renominsts Prs-sat Re regsntative,
VOTE IS NNETY-frW TO FoRTY-NlNt
sixth ward Delegation Elected d
Pratt's Name Gets Into the Mer-
scr Line Before Result
IL AnnOu & d.

The Second district republican congrcs-
eional convention was called to order al
HIPS yesterday morning in Washington hall
and adjourned promptly at noon. The result
was the unanimous nomination OF David H.
Mercer for congress. 7. w. Blackburn, MT.
MERGERS political manager and chairman OF
the congressional committee, convened the
meeting, with Wesley Cook Of Blair at the
secretary's desk.
r.. w. Breckenridge OF the Seventh ward,
having been agreed on by the for
temporary chairman and Clyde sunblad Tor
secretary, were perfunctorily chosen and
made the permanent officers. There was no
contest over the credentials, hence all the
delegates named on the lists submitted
were given seats by reclamation Every
ward and precinct in the district sent a
full delegation.
The attendance at the convention was
large. Every seat on the floor and in the
gallery was taken and all the available
standing room occupied. The gathering was
q demonstrative one, yet there was no cause
for excitement. One notable feature Of the
convention was the appearance Of faces new
TO republican conventions in this city and
district. These were in evidence on all
sides. Yet many Of the veterans were
there as we'll. Mercer and his crowd, Cur
ley, Blackburn ct al, were among the first
TO arrive. Two Of the men who had been
opponents Of Mercer in the primaries, Cor
nish and Pratt, we're present, but Breen did
not show up.
Inevitable CIOntarf Protest.
The nomination Of Mercer was accom-
plished within fifteen minutes after Black
burn had called the meeting to order.
Everything went of perfunctorily and but
one suggestion OF a contest occurred. That
was when Clontarf was called on the roll.
Samuel Hof arose and announced the one
vote from this precinct for Mercer. Stimuli
taneously another delegate cried, "one vote
for E. ]. Cornish" But the Mercer or
lganization was impregnable and would not
tolerate anything calculated to obstruct or
impede the contamination Of it's "cut and
dried" plans. So, in sonorous voice and
emphatic terms. Chairman Breckenridge
called out:
The gentleman over there (2ointing to
the anti-Mercer mani is out Of order. This
vote has been given for David H. Mercer"
This precipitated new life in the at
tempt at a contest and Henry c. Murphy
Of South Omaha took up the gauntlet and
tried to buck the invincible line, but he was
told by the chairman to be seated, that he
was out Of order and that no other delegate
from Clontarf would be heard but the one
WHO had cast the lone vote Of that baiiiwick
for Mercer.
II appeal from the decision of the chair, 9"
shouted Murphy, but only the faint echo of
his voice could be heard as the din and
turbulence OF the bowling crowd subsidized.
Murphy persisted in his vain attempt to
get a hearing or to have his appeal from
the decision Of the chair submitted to a
vote. but he was finally compelled to take
his seat. In the meantime the credential
list was consulted and it was announced
that Samuel Hoff was the only accredited
delegate from Clontarf; therefore his vote
and none other was admitted.
Gurley starts the Voting.
1t was by motion OF W. F. Gurley that a
rule was adopted for the chairman OF each
delegation to announce the vote Of his dele
CATION as its name was called.
Before getting down to business Chairman
Breckenridge made a few remarks, saying:
This looks more like a jolllhcation meet
ing to me than anything else. We have
passed through a spirited primary election
and are here to celebrate our victory by
nominating our next congressman"
The roll call was then taken up, with this
raauIt.