The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-16
Ovation to Former Gov. w. o. Brad
ley, Who Ignored the Rule in
Regard to Resolutions.
BELKNAP FAR IN THE LEAD
TEST VOTE SHOWED HE HAD A MA
JORITY OF THE DELEGATES.
Maj. w. c. Owens Chosen for Tempo
rary Chairman Over BlanfOrd by
Vote of ,571 to 675.

LOUISVILLE, KY, July 15.-Spectacular
In the extreme was the first session of the
Kentucky Republican state convention,
which opened at the Auditorium this after
noon, and the situation is full of POSSIBLE
tiles for more pyrotechnics before final adj
journment is taken. The salient features
of the afternoon gathering were an indorse-
ment of President Roosevelt's candidacy in
1904 which upset the calculations of several
shrewd leaders, who it is charged, were
figuring on ignoring that point in the plat
form resolutions, and what amounted almost
to a stampede to former Governor William
o. Bradley, who is not an announced can
didate after Colonel Morris b. Belknap had,
on test vote for temporary chairman, APP
parently shown that he could win hands
down on the first ballot.
The convention was called to order at 2:25
o'clock this afternoon by State Chairman
c. NJ. Barnett, who announced the chief
business before the convention to be the
nomination of full state ticket. There are
three candidates for Governor-Col Morris
B. Belknap, a Louisville wholesale mer-
chant; Hon. Augustus E. Wilson, of Louis
vile, and Attorney General Clifton ]. Pratt,
the only man on the Taylor ticket in 1899 to
Chairman Barnett announced that the
state central committee would waive it's
right to arbitrarily name the temporary
chairman, and called for nominations. Maj.
William c. Owens was named by the Bel
KNAPP forces, while Charles Blanford re-
ceived a large part of the combined strength
of the Wilson and Pratt forces. The result
was vote of 1,51 to 675 in favor of Owens.
&c r-DAo -. h. G..
would enable Belknap to win, should
he lose the contested Louisville delegation
OF 249 votes.
The committees on credentials, rules and
order of business, permanent organization
ana resolutions Were then announced. IN
annOuncig the names of the committee on
resolutions, Chairman owens called atten-
ton to the rules that all resolutions must
be offered the committee without being
read unless unanimous consent should be
obtained for promulgating them on the
floor of the convention.
1t had been openly Charged during the
day that fight would be made against
Endorsement by the committee of Koose-
Velt's candidacy. This state of affairs was
charged to former Collector of Internal
Revenue Charles E. Sapp and former
United States Senator Deboe, who led the
Belknap forces and organized the conven-
ton.
Immediately after the committees were
announced former Governor Bradley took
the floor and offered the following resolu
toni:
Resolved, That We, the Republicans of
| Kentucky, express cur heartfelt approval
and admiration of the administration OF
Theodore Roosevelt and that we heartily
| indorse him for the Republican nomination
The resolution was read by Governor
| Bradley without having first obtained con-
| sent, but 1T was unanimously adopted by
a. rising vote every delegate springing to
| his feet and cheering.
Immediately afterward Mr.. Bradley was
| given tremendous ovation. After five
| minutes uninterrupted cheering he con-
! scented to take the stage and speak The
pith of his remarks was an appeal for hon.
est elections and honest conventions, and
/ he referred indirectly to the contest over
the Louisville delegation by pleading that
| the delegates nominate only man whose
| methods had been fair and honest and one
who could command united support The
speech was powerfully put and there i'm
| mediately began what threatened to be-
come a stampede to Bradley. Hundreds
of delegates gathered about Bradley and
| admonished him thatshe was the man who
most nearly resembled the picture he had
| himself drawn. If Bradley had been placed
| in nomination then he would have received
| an almost unanimous vote on the aSSump-
ton that his nomination would wipe out
any bitterness caused by the Louisville
contest Mr.. Bradley has been supporting
| Hon. A. T.. Wilson. who is contesting the
entire Louisville delegation. to whom Gre
| dentials were given by the men at the head
of the local party machinery.
| After half an hour of steadily growing
| excitement the convention was suddenly
adjourned until o'clock tonight
| The report of the committee on creden-
| falls it was announced at the night ses-
sion, would not be ready tonight and adj
lournment was taken until o'clock to-
| morrow morning. Fhe delay in the COM
| mittee was caused by the contest over the
| Louisville delegation, the Wilson forces de-
| veloping unexpected strength. While wait
| ing for news of what the committee would
| do the delegates called necessarily for Brad
| ley showing that the effects of the out
burst of the afternoon had not been dis
| sipated The Bradley sentiment so sud-
denly but strongly developed, unsettled the
calculations of the politicians and silenced
predictions as TO the outcome. Commits
| sioner of Internal Revenue YerkeS made a
speech during the evening, indicating his
preference for Belknap.
A ballot in the race for Governor may not
be reached until tomorrow afternoon.
Former Governor Bradley stated at mid
night that he was not candidate for the
governorship of Kentucky and that he was
not seeking the nomination. He was asked
if he was not receptive candidate, and his
reply that he was not. 1t was then
suggested that to-morrow's convention
might bring repetition of to-day's STAN
pede and the Governor was asked if he
would not under pressure accept the nomi-
nation. Nonsense" said the Governor
There will be no stampede
SOIOists Please at Fair Bank.