The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-21


 As long as memory lasts the writer can never forget many of the scenes ana m cidents, that occurred at the first Demo cratic State Convention he ever attended.
 It was the convention held in Montgom- cry In the spring of 1860, just prior to the now celebrated Charleston National Dem- ocratic Convention.
 The grave questions which later result ed in secession and war, were then being discussed all over the country, and great interest was felt as to what the action of the Democratic party of Alabama would be on these issues then not only dividing the country but the party itself.
 It was near noon of the day for the as- sembling of the convention. and a large crowd had gathered in the hall of the House of Representatives at the Capitol Feeling was intense but on the surface there was only the usual hubbub of such an assembly. h those days the machin- cry of the party was not organized as now. There was no State Committee to name the temporary Chairman, and take charge of the organization of the conven- tion. and when there were rival factions in a party it was often, not only a race of diligence, but sometimes of more uues- tionable methods, as to which faction should control the organization of politi- cal bodies While the convention was in this state of expectancy, suddenly and evidently to the surprise of many, Mich Davis of Madison County mounted a chair on the western side of the hall and stated that the hour had arrived for the organ tzation of the convention, that 1t might enter upon the work for which it had as- senDled. Thereupon he nominated the Hon. M. J. Bulger of Tallapoosa for tenn porary chairman, put the motion, pro- nounced it carried, and Mir. Bulger pro- ceeded to the Speakers stand to act as temporary Chairman.
 No sooner was this action had when w. l.. Yancey of Montgomery also mounted chair near the center of the hall. and stated that by universal custom, the con- Vention was never called to order until F o'clock. noon, by the time of the Capitol clock, that he had carefully compared his own watch with the time of the Capitol clock and that it yet lacked some minutes of that hour, and therefore the motion of the gentleman from Madison was prema- ture and out of order. Yancey continued to speak in this vein, all the time holding his watch in his hand, until looking at it, he announced that now the hour had ar rived when the motion calling the conven- tion to order could be properly made, and being on his feet, he would make it, and he did so. nominating Hon. Henry D. Smith of Lauderdale for temporary chair man. put the motion, pronounced 1t car ried and MT. Smith also proceeded to the Speakers stand. Bulger. in the mean tine, standing up. was vainly endeavoring to secure recognition and have the con- vention come to order. As soon. however, as he saw Smith approaching the Speak CTS stand he, with great precipitancy sat down in the Speakers chair and grasping its arms. seemed ready to defy any one who would attempt to move him. Tn his haste in taking the chair he left the gavel on the Speakers desk, this, Smith at once seized and turning to Bulger shook it in his face, but what was said by either could not be heard, for as soon as Yancey concluded the din and uproar of the con- vention was so great that nothing could be heard above the noise and confusion then ensuing This continued for some moments when L. P. Walker of Madison mounted the Secretary's table just in front of the Speakers stand. He was a man of rather grave countenance and of commanding figure. He did not utter a word. simply waved his hand for silence. This he soon procured, and then he spoke, shaming the delegates for thor behavior, and asking. 'Is this conven- tion of representative Democratic gentle men or an unruiy mob?" He was list ened to with duietness, and respect. aid proceeding, said he would ask both Of the gentlemen who had been named for temporary ctairmen to retire and he would name a gentleman who, he douot~ ed not, would be acceptable to all. lte then nominated Hon. Francis S. Lyon of Marengo for temporary chairman, put the motion and it was carried almost. if not entirely without dissent. Both Bulger and Smith retired and MT. Lyon took the chair order was restored and the con- vention organized This was not the only exciting incident of the convention.
 There were two delegations from Mont Eomery County, each claiming to be reg ular: one was headed by w. L. Yancey, the ether by H. W. Hilliard. The ques- tion as to which delegation was regular and entitled to seats in the convention.