The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-09
BECKHAM WINS
FIRST VICTORY
Is Made Temporary Chairman
Of lucky Convention
BLACKBURN MAKES SPEECH
Governor Durbin of Indiana Is Con.
demned for Refusing to Honor
Requlsition Papers for
Taylor and Finley.
BLACKBURN MAKES SPEECH

Louisville. June s.-what promised to be
a bitter contest for control of the state
organization came up in the democratic
state convention which met here today
The result of the first struggle, the cleo
ton of a temporary chairman, was a de-
cisive victory for the administration
forces led by Governor Beckham Gov
ernor Beckham was elected temporary
chairman by a vote of ST to 322 over
Judge Frank Peake of Shelby county
led by Senator ]. c. S. Blackburn. assist
ed by Senator Mccreary and Congressman
D. II. Smith. When the convention OPEN
ed State Chairman Allie Young made a
lengthy speech In which he attacked the
methods of the administration workers,
but dise1aimed any personal animosity to-
ward Governor Beckham. At the close
of Chairman Young's speech, Congress
man Ollie James, acting for the admins
tration men. placed Governor Beckham in
nomination for temporary chairman.
Given Warm Reception.
Congressman James speech was the
forerunner of an enthusiastic reception
given United States Senator Blackburn
when he took the floor to nominate Judge
Pealxe as the candidate of the anti-admin-
istration men for temporary chairman.
Senator Blackburn made a remarkable
speech Disclaiming any idea of making a
war on individuals, he yet asserted that
the democratic party in Kentucky was
falling into the grasp of a machine, and
out of control of the voters. lie de-
clared that his associates would contest
to the last the effort of the administration
men to elect LewisN McQuown, chairman
of the state central committee.
Passing to national affairs. he srplse in
facvor Of an lninstructed delegation. His
sentiments in this respect met the ap.
proval of the convention, and subsequent
reference to Parker and Mcclellan as
available candidates for the presidency,
provoked his firm belief of the Nebraska
statesman's purity of motive, and said
the report that Mr. Bryan would bolt the
st. Louis convention if the candidates or
platform should prove unsatisfactory, to
be an Infamous falsehood.
Puts Beckham in Control.
The overwhelming vote for Governor
Peckham for temporary chairman put
his adherents in full control of the tenn
porary organization. Governor Beckham
in his speech accepting the temporary
Craftsmanship announced that the fight for
the control of the party was not of his
seeking. He denied Senator Blackburn's
assertion that machine and not the
tically stated that "of course no one be-
lieved Senator Blackburn in making his
fight was seeking to build up machine
for himself"
The work of organizing the committees
was rapidly proceeded with and the tenn
porary organization having been com
pleted the convention took a recess until
$50 o'clock.
The Blackburn-MeCreary forces en-
ployed the interim in strengthening their
lines for the fight between Kehoe and
McQuown for state chairman, declaring
that the vote for temporary chairman cut
little or no figure In the main contest.
The district meetings in each of the
eleven districts were held for the purpose
of naming delegates to the national con-
vention. Only one district the Fifth de-
clared for Parker. OF the twenty dele
gates named at the other ten district
meetings, three are regarded as possible
Hearst men, six are for Parker and eleven
declined TO express preference.
At the Evening Session.
The first business before the convention
at the evening session. the report of the
committee on credentials, did not pro-
yoke the struggle that was expected
and the four contests passed with
unanimous report, and were unanimously
adopted.
There was a short but spirited debate
In the committee on resolutions over the
platform. five of the members demanding
the reaffirmation of the Kansas City
platform. In order to prevent a contest
on the floor of the convention, a com
promise was effected by adopting the fol-
lowing open clause:
THE democratic party of Kentucky in
convention assembled, affms its faith in
and adherence to the great Fundamental
principles of democracy as expounded by
Jefferson. exemplified by jackson and
defended by Bryan
Condemns Governor Durbin's Course.
The resolutions condemn "the unneces-
sary and unjust system of federal taxa
ton, maintained by the republican ad-
mnistration," and demand a revision of
the tariff In a conservative spirit The
increase Of expenditures of the federal
government under the republican rule Is
condemned. AM the encroachments by
the President upon the constitution are
denounced. The resolutions further favor
the regulation of trusts and recommend
a thorough investigation of all federal de-
partments on the ground that the refus-
al OF the republicans to permit further
investigation of the postofffce depart
ment suggests hidden corruption. The
course of Governor Durbin of Indiana in
refusing to surrender on requisiton
from the governor of Kentucky the per-
sons of William S. Taylor and Charles
Finley, fugitives from Justice, charged
with the murder of William Goebel," Is
denounced as a violation of the consttu-
ton.
Committee Has Long Wraneo.
After the report of the committee on
credentials there was long wait while
the committee on organization was dis
causing a change in the party rules gov
erning the selection of state central and
executive committeeman.
The change in the rules was proposed
by the Blackburn adherents. During
speech Senator McCreary made an earn