The sun., 1903-10-20
M'LAUGHLIN STILL LEADER,
SENATOR MCARREN BEATEN BY
A VOTE or 14S TO 14I,

The Old CHIEF stands Outside the Hall
While the Battle Rases and Then
Holds a Reception on the Sidewalk
MEG Carren's Resolution TO Indorse
the Whole Ticket Killed by Refer
cncc to a COmmittcc-The Senator's
Eloquent Speech Heartily Cheereti.
The ION. Hugh Mclaughlin still retains
his tin s-honored post as leader of the Demo-
cratic organization in Kings county 1t
was only, however. after hard and mighty
close fight in the county committee, .lat the
aged political chieftain was able to Sem the
onslaught of Senator Patrick Henry McCar-
ren and his followers.
By the narrow margin of seven McLaugh-
lin last night won the fiercest battle he has
vaged since he started in his remarkable
political career nearly fifty years ago.
The county committee is composed of
$40 delegates, representing the twenty-one
Assembly districts. The membership was
reduced in the past year to 307. owing to
one death and two designations and fail
ure to I'll the vacancies.
Last night it was ST ill further reduced to
go owing to the absence of sixteen dele
gntes and the denial Of the right to vote to
two more for failure in qualifying by the
payment of their dues.
In the vote which decided the question
at issue between Mclaughlin and McCarren,
the $50 delegates were divided as follows:
For Mclaughlin, l4s; for McCarren. l4l,
Mclaughlin thus escaping overthrow by
slender ma ioriy Of I.
GREAT THRoNG OF DEMOCRATS THERE.
No political incident in many years has
excited so much interest in the sister bor-
ough. This was fully demonstrated by
the scenes in and around the Thomas Jeffer-
son building in court Square. where the
meeting of the county committee WAS
held.
From an early hour in the evening the
approaches 10 the hail were packed 10y
Democrats from ali parts Of the town,
about as equl lly divided in their opinions
on the question involved as the delegates
themselves. 1t required the services OF
Capt. Bedel and big squad of policemen
to keep back the surging crowds from
storming the hall. which was packed to
overfiowing an hour before the proceedings
began.
The assemblage In the hall was larger
than it was several years ago, when David
B. Hill then Governor of the State, made
the speech ded!cating 1t to the use OF the
united and triumphant Democracy of Kings
county Many persons in the audience
who were also present on the previous
occasion sadly reflected on the changed
situation, the organization being fairly
split in twain over the disturbing forces
in the present campaign.
The most conspicuous figure in the gal
lery was the venerable ex-Chief of Police,
Patrick Campbell who has been unswerving
to Hugh McIaughlin all throuGi. his Polit-
icaI career and who was moved to ioin Ia
the cheers when his victory became as
sured
The stage was unoccupied except by
the officers Of the committee, the distin-
guished visitors, headed by ex-senator
William j. La Roche and Judge Patrick
Ready having to observe the proceedings
from the anteroom
M'LAUaHLIN ON THE SIDEWALK.
Mr.. Mclaughlin was early at the scene
Of conflict, but remained outside on the
sidewalk, surrounded by Gordon Of faith
ful guardsnen until the close Of the hos
Senator McCarren arrived at the hall
. few minutes after o'clock and he and his
heutenants were kept busy lining up his
supporters as they arrived and keeping
tab on the absentees.
John L. Shea, Bernard J. York, Thomas
F. Farrell and ex-Sherin Frank Creamer
were all on hand early, looking after the
Mclaughlin delegates.
Up to the moment that Chairman r. w.
cambridge and Secretary Frank CReilly
stepped on the platform about = o'clock.
the delegates and spectators were in earnest
sides appeared to be confident OF victory.
No more intense feeling could have been
manifested II the election itself had de-
pended on the impending result
CHEERS FOR THE LEADERS
Only once or twice the gallery broke
loose. The first demonstration took place
when some one asked: whats the matter
.h Rs.s Nohns the %aes
with McLaughlin!' Then came a storm
OF cheers, which could be heard a block
away anu lasted several minutes.
Following came the question: What's
the matter with McCarren7' This evoked
The third question: 'What's the matter
with Grout and Fornes7" brought only
sneers and hisses and not a single cheer
When the committee had been lined up
for business, McCarren had the front seat.
four rows from the stage, with his delegates
sat in the front row with his associates from
the stronghold Of Republicanism In Kings
county.
Chairman Bainhridges first announce
ment was that as 1t was a specia! meeting
the only business on hand would be the
question Of indorsing the Democratic nomi-
nees.
There were few scraps during the call
ing OF the roll by Magistrate O'Reilly. the
secretary In two or three cases the
identity Of responding delegates was called
In question and the demand was made that
they be asked to stand up for exhibition
A dispute also arose as to whether finan-
ciay delinquent delegates should be al.
lowed to qualify and the chairman decided
in the negative.
On the other matter over which there
was controversy the chairman said that
on all votes taken the delegates would be
Obliged to stand up 30 AZ TO be identified
There was much surprise over the abb
sence Of ex-senator John Mccarthy when
the roll OF the Eleventh district, solid
Mclaughlin bailiwick, was reached McCar-
thy has always been one Of McIaughlin's
closest friends. and 1t was supposed that
nothing short OF death or disability would
keep him from the gathering.
When the Fourteenth district WAS reached.
NcCarren got the ovation OF the night