The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-04-21
NO UNIT RULE.
Hearst Men Win q Point I'm Mas
sachusetts.
Delegation Will Go to st. LOuis
without Instructions.
FIGHT EVERY INCH.
George Fred Williams Leads
Opposition to OIney.
Certain to Choose Part of the
National Delegates.
FIGHT EVERY INCH.

Boston April 21-Before the Dem
ocratic state convention to select dele
gates at large to the national body at
st. Louis assembled today there were
indications of a more harmonious ses-
sion than the leaders previously had
expected. The contests between the
factions of the party due to prefer
ences for presidential nominees, were
fought out to a considerable extent
and disposed of during the night The
state committee was in session until
an early hour today and a spirit man
ifested in the state committee and the
supporters of Mr.. OIney in the pro-
ceedings, to give the Hearst forces
what they termed a fair recognition
on the various convention commit
tees, contributed largely to this end.
But of far greater Importance, in the
view of Mr.. Williams. and the Hearst
delegates was the decision of the COM
mittee waving the adoption of the
unit rule" for the Massachusetts
delegation. on the contention of the
Hearst faction that clause in the
convention call by which the cOnVen-
ton would have the right to control
the action of delegates elected in the
various congressional districts was il
legal. This clause was ordered strick-
en- out on the ground that it had been
irregularly inserted.
In consequence of these develop
mentS in the situation. the Hearst
delegates appeared at fremont temple
before the convention in a more con-
ciliatory attitude than has been ap-
parent in several weeks. On the 9TH
er hand the Olney men expressed sat
isfaction at the prospect of controlling
the convention. They claimed that at
least six hundred of the 800 delegates
were supporters of Olney- Mr- VIII
liams, the Hearst leader, said that in
asmuch as the state committee had
decided that the insertion of the unit
rule clause IN the convention call was
illegal, the passage in the convention
of any resolution tending to control
the action of the district convention
delegates would be absolutely futile.
He added that if such action were
taken the Hearst delegates chosen at
the various district conventions would
disregard ii entirely and vote at the
national convention according to their
inclinations. The names of those
which the Olney faction expected to
present as candidates for delegates at
large are;
Colonel William A. CASTOR and
Mayor Patrick A. Collins. of Boston;
William L. Douglas. of Brockton, and
Congressman John r. Thayer of Wor-
cester. The Hearst ticket consisted
of George Fred Williams, George e.
Smith, of Worcester. and Charles A
Dean. of Wakefield.
About 200 of the Hearst men came to
fremont temple in a body, headed by
Mr.. Williams. There was no demon
stration of any sort when they arriv-
ed When the convention was called
to order temporary organization was
quickly affected. Several committees
We're appointed without objection, hut
when a motion was made that a COM
mittee on resolutions be named, TO
which should be referred all resolutions
without reading or debate, there was a
stir among the Olney delegates. The
motion was carried by about five TO
one. This was considered the first test
of the relative strength of the opposing
factions. This was the beginning of a
series of motions and counter motions,
which kept the chairman busy. Mo-
tions were put and tabled. Others were
indefinitely postponed and then efforts
We're made to reconsider.
Voice votes We're doubted with the
invariable result that on a standing
vote the chair was supported by about
to 1. Finally a recess was taken
pending a report by the committee on
credentials. On each of the committees
reported, Hearst delegates had been
given from to 4 places With the re-
| tirement of the committee on resolu-
tfons it became understood that a brief
Dlatforr47 would he presented