Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-03-01
Il may probably be asserted with

II may pT0UdDiy DC dsScItcN WIN
safety that the republican primary In
precinct 20 last night broke all pre-
svious New Mexico records for q
tumultous, roaring, excited but withal
good-natured gathering. Two yocifer-
GUS primaries were held simultaneous
IL ins the same big room of the city
hall; two presiding officers, two sec
retaries and two nominating commit
tees were chosen and two sets Of del
egates to the republican county con
vention were nominated. The steal
which the recalcitrant members Of
the republican party in the precinct
attempted to perpetrate upon the
loyal and regular members of the
party was so bold-faced and deter
mined that the majority couldn't even
manage to get mad, although the
stout chairman Of the central commit
sstee stoutly disregarded all precedent,
rode rough shod over all protest and
didn't let little thing like major
ity trouble him in the least With
the aid of goodly number Of yelling
democrats, the plans Of the irregulars
were carried on with such audacious
effrontery as to compel some admira-
ton which should have been reserved
for some more righteous cause.
Before the hour Of eight came, the
big upstairs room Of the city hall
was hlled with a great company
Every chair was occupied and the
aisles and all the available floor space
were black with humanity which
overfowed from the building and out
into the street. 1t was evident from
the great throng and from the de-
meanor OF the individuals that there
would soon be something doing.
Promptly at o'clock arose from
his place at the presiding officers
table, John s. Clark, chairman Of the
precinct committee. After caution
ing the crowd not to indulge In such
demonstration as would be likely to
endanger the safety Of the somewhat
unsafe floor, the chairman read the
call while J. d. Ellsworth, secretary
or the precinct committee. sat silent
ly at the table. II was evident from
the outset that the chairman intend
ed 10 he the whole show.
The chairman hadn't gotten half
way through his announcement that
nominations for chairman were In
order when who should rise from his
chair In the front row but Frank
Springer. The chairman stopped in
his flight Of oratory to recognize Mr..
Springer, then completed his an
nouncement. Mr.. Springer nominated
that noble republican Of twenty years
service, John s. Clark. Stephen B.
Davis secured recognition and nom.
mated that unquestionably loyal re
publican, whom every good citizen
honored and respected, man gray in
the service of his party. Geo. w
Ward. The nomination was nnmer
ously seconded and was received Will
an enthusiasm that needed not thu
behest OF the chairman. 10 remember
the weak floor.
Then John S. Clark asked those Il
favor Of the nomination OF John s
Clark as chairman to rise. The dis
gruntled republicans and goodl,
number Of democrats rose with alac
rity. A couple Of hundred men wht
were standing because they couldn't
get seats on which TO sit down, were
bravely and hastily counted In. 4
call came then for those In favor d
the nomination Of Mr.. Ward to rise
A majority OF those occupying seats
rot to their feet but Immediately Mr.
Clark said, "Mr. Clark elected chair
man. All the while. Secretary Ell
wood was completely ignored by the
chairman who didn't even accord hin
the customary right Of counting the
votes.
Il was- only the expected that hap
pened. for blown on the zephyrs that
prevailed yesterday came stray talei
Of the intention Of the irreguIars e