The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-13
Dawson Nominated in West Vir-
 ginia Amid Turbulent Scenes
TEST VOTE WAS FORCED EARLY
Congressman Joe Gaines, Who Was Presiding temporarily, Is Confused By War of Technicallties
 and Has to Withdraw.

Wheeling. ". Va, July F. At the close of the first day of tho most turbulent political convention In the history of the state. following the bitterest fight the rarty has ever experienced, William Mef- eer Owens Dawson is the republican nom- inee for governor of West Virginia. Claims of accessions from the ranks of the Daw- son followers made by the managers or the Chares F..Teter candidacy, deternin- ed the Dawson leaders to make a test of strength early in the day and it came when Hon. W. P. Hubbards motion to dispense with the committee on creden- tials resisted stubborniy by the Teter1tes, was carried by more than one hundred majority.
 The Dawson people followed up their advantage and despite scenes of the wild est disorder, during which Senator Elhns threatened to withdraw from his position as chairman, they forced nomination before the platform was prepared The resolutions committee will not meet until tomorrow morning. but the committee is
 
 be chosen tomorrow, but the fight is over.
 The republican state convention was called to order at 12;SO o'clock in the Wheeling Park Casino four miles east Of the city. Chairman w. F. Glasscock of the state committee introduced Senator B. Elkins as temporary chairman and he at once began his speech, during the deliv- cry of which he was frequently interrupt ed by applause
 Brings out Test Vote.
 Taylor Vinson of Huntington moved the appointment of the usual convention con- mittee, and the amendment offered by W. P Hubbard of Wheeling to dispense with the committee on credentials and perm anenet otgani q q precipitated the first fight of the convention, and brought out a test vote very satisfactory to the Daw- son adherents The amendment was wig orously opposed by Congressman A. D. Dayton and Charles T. Caldwell of Par kersburg, the latter being greeted with misses and catcalls during his speech.
 After a long wrangle the amenoment was carried by a vote of 464 to 333 the figures being regarded as representing the 1eldUNe strength Ol DdNSoH duu ltiti. This action by the convention made that body accept the decision of the state com mittee on the several contestants and re- moved from consideration a question which would have provoked much bitter ness if fought out on the floor of the convention.
 MT. Caldwell wanted to adjourn until o'clock, but the Dawson delegates, anx- ious to follow up the advantage disclosed by the test vote on the Hubbard amend ment. adjourned the convention until o'clock. with a view to settling the gu- bernatorial fight before adjourning for the day.
 Joe Gaines Is Relieved.
 After the recess the committees were appointed and the Teter delegates renew ed their efforts to force an adjournment and there was mass of technicalities that confused Congressman Joe Gaines who was presiding during the temporary absence of Senator Elkins The Teter followers took advantage of the turbulent condition of the convention to try 10 force consideration of the allegations of wholesale frauds in Kanawha county, which instructed it's delegates for Daw- son. The point that the contests were all settled when the convention decided to dispense with the committee on creden- tials, was debated at length and Mr. Gaines finally asked to be relieved committee found Senator Elkins, who took the chair and insisted upon state ment of facts amid scenes of disorder during which the chairman once more threatened to withdraw.
 He finally decided that the Kanawha contention was not in order. The con- vention proceeded with nominations for governor. Charles F. Teter was named by Congressman A. G. Dayton and Will liam M. o. Dawson by ex-Governor George Wesley Wilkinson. There were numerous seeonding speeches. On the roll call of counties, Dawson received 456 votes, and Teter 331. Before the vote was announced MT Dayton moved to make the nomination unanimous, and the mo- ton was carried amid great enthusiasm. The delegates were tired and in no mood to continue selecting the ticket.
 At 10;15 the convention adjourned until tomorrow morning.