The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-01
STORMY SESSION OF THE
T.P.A. FOLLOWED BY BOLT
AND LATER BY HARMONY
State Convention at Lafayette Al
most Broken Up by Action of
the Majority.
INDIANAPOLIS REVOLTED
And Was Supported by Delega-
tons from Fort Wayne and
Other Cities.
UNIT RULE THE CAUSE
Boilers Induced to Return-W. ii
Wiley, of Marion, Elected
President.
UNIT RULE THE CAUSE
STAFF Correspondence OF the Journal.

staff Correspondence OF the Journal
LAFAYETTE, Ind, April S0.-The closing
session of the state convention of the In
diana Travelling Mems Protective Associa-
ton to-day was marred by bolt or the
Indianapolis and other delegates, because
the majority attempted to bind the ma
tional delegates to the unit rule. thereby,
it was alleged. preventing opportunity for
the reinstatement of former Secretary
treasurer La Baume, who is declared TO
be innocent of the charges on which he
was deposed. The bolters, however, were
pacified by the backing down of the ma
jority, and the convention ended harmoni-
ously, with the dove of peace lowering
above the delegates
The proceedings might be likened to the
proverbial April day. There was sunshine
and storm, fair skies and clouds The
storm was so threatening for a time that
the convention was on the verge of disrup-
ton. 1t seemed as if tornado had sud-
denly swept UP the valley of the Wabash
and concentrated its forces about the opera
house where the travelling men were hold
ing their meeting. Comradeship and fra
ternity, the motto of the association, were
forgotten in a fight over the adoption of
d 49,
national convention to vote as unit. This
was resented by the Indianapolis delega-
tion, which believed it was proposed merely
for the purpose of preventing the reinstate-
rnent of Secretary treasurer Louis La
Baume who was deposed for alleged mis-
appropriation of funds, but who Is believed
to have been the victim of a conspiracy.
1t was also proposed to give Indianapolis
only three delegates instead of four.
BOLTED THE CONVENTION.
there was the widest excitement. The
| minority members declared they would not
be gagged" and that rather than submit
| they would quit the state associa-
| ton There was a storm of words
| on both sides. Then the Indian
! apolis delegates bolted, and they were soon
| followed by Fort Wayne, Lafayette Rich
mond Columbus and others. The bolt was
| taken so suddenly and amid such confusion
! that for a moment those in the hall hardly
knew what had happened. AS soon as the
! recalcitrants had gone President Shuttle
worth, of Terre Haute, declared that the
| convention was still in order and tnat IL
! would proceed with the remainder of the
| business
In a short time, however the bolters re-
turned to the convention hall after per
! suasive appeal from National president
| Donham who followed them from the
room. Mr.. Donham's talk to the delegates
! on the outside had a telling effect. he pic
| tured TO them the injury that such rup-
ture would mean to the state and national
| organization. Tears streamed down his
! cheeks as he talked and his frame SHOOK
| with emotion w. A. Ryan, one OF the
members of the ma jority, also followed the
| minority delegation TO the outside and IN
! sisted upon their return. He confessed &c
them that they were in the right Z ana ,,d ina
| return he would make a confession before
the convention and do all in his power &c
change the vote of the delegates or MS posi-
| Upon this promise they returned to the nal
amid the cheers of those within. A few
| misses were started, but were soon sup.
pressed by the presiding ofncer.
DONHAM'S SPEECH.
After the convention had again con
vened. amid the deepest silence, Nationa
President Donham was called for. and with
ouivering lips and almost uncomfortable
emotion he said:
gentlemen of the Convention and Broth
ers of the 7. P. A.-The last few moment:
of this convention have been the saddles
of my life. L have seen differences arfs'
that have threatened this, the greatest or
ganization of its kind in the United States
and an organiza ton that love better thar
ANYTHING else in this world. These differ
ences must be wiped out, or the association
will soon be thing of the past We ar
banded together TO help one another a.
brothers and not to fight. L like to hgh
as well as any of you, but not like the do,
| that fights a wounded stag in a snowdrift
| and | sincerely hope that the scenes of thi
| convention will not long linger in the mind
| of the men and brothers who are here a
delegates"
This was followed by similar address
from Mr.. Ryan, who followed the boltini
| delegates to the outside. He confessed tha
| he was in the wrong and said that ever,
| vote he cast in favor of the unit rule. owe
which the contest was raised. was agains
the dictates of his own conscience, and tha
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