The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-04-07
CONVENTION ABOUT
evenly DIVIDED
: Shall Delegates Be or Not Be
Instructed.
TO ST. LOUIS GATHERING
Both Factions Claim to Have
Majority,
TO ST. LOUIS GATHERING

An attempt TO forecast The result of
the Democratic state convention today,
IN view of the almost evenly matched
caucuses, considering the actual number
OF delegates represented by both the
Hearst and anti-Hearst factions, held last
night at 1898 o'clock, to prepare for the
Nerk today, would be utterly impossible.
Enthusiastic caucuses were held by
Both sides and to all appearances the two
factions will go into the convention this
morning lined up in about equal numbers
for an uninstructed delegation TO the ma
sional convention at ST. Louis and on the
other side for delegation instructed for
William Randolph Hearst for the NOM
1nation for president on the Democratic
ticket
The anti-Eearst faction passed a reso-
hutton for the selection of Claude Duval Of
Hutchinson as temporary chairman of
the state convention and in favor of send
t1onal convention. The Hearst faction
passed resolutions endorsing a. NJ. Jack
son of Cowley county as temporary chair
xnan and in favor of sending a delegation
Instructed for Hearst to the convention.
At the close of the two caucuses the
anti-Hearst faction claimed a majority of
6 delegates against Hearst, while the
Hearst promoters claimed majority, but
gave out no figures.
Anti-Hearst Caucus.
The anti-Hearst caucus was called to
order promptly at 1920 o'clock in hail
ut the Topeka Avenue hotel. The room
was well filed with fully $50 delegates.
Cries for Claude Duval brought that gen
,leman to the floor and he addressed the
convention.
He stated that he had been requested
TO act as temporary chairman at the
convention. Those who oppose him claim
that he is a reorganizer for the reason
that he is attending the convention not
as a delegate.
THE reason / am not delegate said
Mr.. Duvall, lis because ] was not in ia
vor of instructions for Hearst or any
other candidate for president. When
committee Of five was appointed by the
Reno county convention to select dele
gates / was asked not only once but two
times to accept that honor. / thanked
them for it. but / said: Boys, [ am not
IN favor of instructions for Hearst ana
under those circumstances | will have to
decline. Kansas did not, in 1886 and 1900
instruct delegates to the national conveu-
ton. Why should she do it now?''
Mr.. Duvall spoke at some length and
was cheered repeatedly. At the close. in
response to cries from the convention,
David Overmyer Of Topeka took the floor.
He said: Gentlemen and fellow-Demo-
Gratis, In regard to Mr. DuvaIrs talk
would like to say that I am like the old
man who got tired of saying his prayers.
He tackled them on the wall and said,
Lord, them is my sentiments He con-
ttnued: Gentlemen. why should we send
"a instructed delegation to the national
convention? We did not do it in 1896.
nor again in 1900. We did not do it in the
eur duty to vote for William Jennings
Bryan. 1t was not necessary. When the
proper time arrived our delegates voted
Yer him just the same. 1 am strictly in
favor of an uninstrucled delegation. If
It b eeen that Mr.. Hearst is the strongest
man at the national convention then vote
for him. There is plenty of time"
Mr. Overmyer address was cheered
rcundly and it was with difficulty that
the caucus was restored to order owing
TO the great amount Of enthusiasm exhib-
tied.
Col. It. G. Fitch spoke next. He also
favored an uninstructed delegation or for
delegation instructed for any one be-
SIDES Hearst. Il am not in favor of
Hearst for the nomination. nor will l ever
be- declared Mr.. Fitch. why should
we pledge ourselves TO support a man
whom we have never seen? \ man who
has no record except six months in the
cspacity OF a congressman. Let Mr.
Hearst secure the delegation from his
home state. New York, before asking for
ours. Why should Kansas take the lead?
BY doing the latter the Hearst managers
hope To influence the vote in New York.
/ met a business man from Mr.. Hearst's
home state but yesterday. He told me
that every one in New York considered
Hearst's candidacy for the presidency a