The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-19
HI and His Followers Walk Over Tamnany Delegates
 Rough Shod
CONVENTION HALL SCENE
 OF WIDEST ENTHUSIASM
Crush for Seats In the Auditorium Was Terrific and the Police Were
 Powerless Before the LroWd.

Albany, N. Y, April 1S.-The democrat ic state convention to elect delegates at large and presidential electors was called to order in Harman's Bleecker hall this afternoon Great confusion resulted from orders which had been given to keep the doors closed until the last moment. The result was that when the doors were opened at 3 minutes before o'clock, the crowd burst in with yell and a rush. In three minutes the top gallery was filled with a stamping and shouting mass of men and boys. In the galleries were a number of Hearst banners and a running fire of shouts and comments was maintained by the gallery crowd.
 While the delegates were assembling. rumor gained circulation that Senator Hill and Parker forces had partially decided that between the sessions of the convention they would inform the Tam many people that they would concede choices of Charles F. Murphy in the de- legation at large to the national con- vention.
 The crush before the hall was tre- mendous. The aisles were filled with a. serambling crowd, demanding seats at the ratio of about three persons to each seat. The police were all but helpless. Hats were smashed, clothing torn, faces scratched and feet trampled in the rush. Order was finally secured and former state senator George Raines of Monroe county was introduced as chairman and Ja1ft to tha
 Chairman Raines Speaks.
 MT Raines denounced the republican party in it's administration, both state and national affairs and its policies, declaring that there was feeling of unrest among business men, a lack of confidence in the judgment and level-headed conservatism of the national administration. In the in- coming campaign, he said, the democracy of New York desires to act in accord with the rest of the democracy of the union.
 I've have no peculiar tenets to put forth" he declared. No isolated ideas to frame as to New York, and not single war cry for this campaign We do believe, however, that no party policy should be insisted on or deserves a place in our platform of the campaign, upon which the party is not substantially united"
 He then discussed at considerable length the tariff trusts, labor, the colonial policy of the government and said:
 All Eyes on New York.
 We do not doubt the wisdom of our national convention and shall abide by it's decision that the interests of the na- ton shall receive its attention. We recog- nze the patent fact that the eyes of the whole country are turned to the New York democracy here assembled Your action is awaited with the keenest inter- est What does New York think? What will New York do with it's large electoral vote? Our commercial interests, our great labor population in factories and upon the farms, our stand in the maintenance of the government in its purity, our contri- buttons to the illustrious names in demo- cratic history, warrant the respectful def erence with which our equals in demo- cratic councils wait the voice of New York We today know whom the sate- lites of republican rule, office holders. bosses and tariff beneiciares have select ed as their candidate. He is a citizen of New York.
 But the people at large are not seek ing military heroes nor asking for one who is vociferous, spectacular or ad- venturous. They are Joking for a safe, level-headed, well-balanced candidate. There is among us no division essen- tially as to our choice. As I read the sentiment of this convention, it is practically unanimous. If there is a difference of sentiment, it is merely as to the form In which the one choice should be expressed"
 Never Been Questioned.
 Without mentioning his candidate by name, the speaker said that from the valley of the Hudson arose one whose democracy has never been questioned. whose popularity is well attested, whose fofr fr,ra tfal tr nd lea hay attracted the attention of the conserva- tive men of the country and have con ferred renown upon the highest court in our state.
 After the roll call the matter of con- tested seats was referred to committee and recess was taken until evening. When the doors of the convention opened at 645 tonight there was rush that swept before it ushers. door tenders and police. The word had gone forth that there would be a fight on the floor of the convention and within a few minutes the balcony, gallery and stage were jammed. The police elected hundreds of persons who had preempted the delegates seats. It was not until almost o'clock that the convention was called to order.
 Senator McCaren presented the report of the committee on platform which is as follows:
 Committee on Platform Reports.
 
 ..The democrats in renewing their pledge of fidelity to the essential princi- ples of Jeffersonian democracy as repeat edly enunciated in our national and state platforms, make these further oe- clarations upon the national issues of the hour, reserving an expression upon state issues until the fall convention when state candidates are to be nomi- nated
 l. This is a government of laws. not of men: one law for presidents, cabinets and people; no usurpation no executive encroachment upon the legislative or ju- dicial department.
 9 We must keep inviolate the pledges of our treaties; we must renew and re- invigorate within ourselves that respect for law that love of liberty and of peace which the spirit of military domination tends inevitably to weaken and destroy. . Unsteady national policies and a rest