The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-21

CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGE)
much has been heard The pith of the case
for the Durbin delegates was that they had
been chosen by the regularly called mass
convention, and that any irregularities in
their election had been due to the dsorderly
conduct of the men favoring the other slate
who would not permit the taking of a bal
lot in the regular way.
The substance of the argument advanced
by the contestors was that their delegates
were the regularly elected delegates. be-
cause they had been elected by a regular
ballot instead of by an alleged viva voce
vote arbitrarily decided in favor of the
so-called Durbn slate AS one of the men,
berS or the committee put ii, there were
affidavits by the yard on both sides. The
representatives of the Durbin slate init
mated that they stood ready to bring about
compromise by which both sets of dele
gatets should be seated and each delegate
given one-half of a vote in the convention,
but the other side insisted that there could
be no such compromise and that they were
either wholly right or wholly wrong in
their contention
District Chairman George Lilly Of An
derson. appeared before the committee, and
told the story of the mass convention, stat
ing the facts as he believed them TO be,
without regard 10 his personal prejudices
or associations. His evidence was deemed
favorable to the contestors and undoubtedly
carried much weight with the members of
the committee.
After hearing the evidence considerable
time was consumed in reaching a unani-
nous decision c. A. Van Matre, the Del
aware county member of the committee,
held out for some time that a minority
report should be submitted, recommending
the compromise by which both delegations
should be seated, his argument being that
the matter should thus be brought before
the convention. Had he maintained this
stand the fight would have been carried to
the floor of the convention, with what re-
suit no one knows positively. although
the contestors would have been seated
However, Mr.. Van Matre was finally per-
suaded TO sign the majority report, max
ing it unanimous.
Two sets of delegates divided on similar
lines, were elected to represent Anderson
township in the state convention next week,
real fight between the Durbin and anti
Durbin crowds will be made before the
credentials committee of the state conven-
ton and. perhaps, carried to the floor Of
the convention. Both sides now declare
that the thing will be fought out again at
the state convention, although IL is con-
ceded that the contestors have an adj
vantage in the precedent established in their
favor here to-day.
CONVENTION PROCEEDINGS.
The convention was called to order at
1870 o'clock this afternoon in the polo rink
by District Chairman Lilly The committee
on permanent organization recommended
Theodore Shockney. of Union City, for
permanent chairman. with Frank II. Sny-
der, of Portland, for vice chairman and
l.. A Guthrie. of Muncie. for secretary.
The report was unanimously adopted.
On taking the chair, Mr.. Shockney made
a brief speech in which he referred hui
morously TO the family differences that
have recently existed among Eighth district
Republicans.
1.-THE winter has been long and cold" he
said land fuel has been scarce, and in or
der TO keep warm, the Republicans of the
Eighth district have been compelled TO in
dulge in little family contests. IL has been
altogether a family affair. however. and
now that the winter is over and spring is
here we are altogether prepared TO present
an unbroken front TO the common enemy
and to stand shoulder TO shoulder in the
battle of the ballots next November"
Mr. Snyder and Mr.. Guthrie were both
called upon for speeches and responded
briefly, and then the report of the COM
mittee on credentials was presented by
Mr. Snyder. The delegates listened with
breathless interest. for most OF them were
i'm ignorance of the decision reached by the
committee and aid not know whether they
were TO participate In a fight or a ratifica-
ton They were evidently greatly relieved
to learn that the committee was unanimous
in its decision. and when the question was
put on the adoption of the report there
was lusty chorus of ayes and not a
dissenting voice.
DIR. George w. Shepherd. OF Redkey.