The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-06-01

of the long and bitter fight which hai
been waged for the past eight months
there were more contested countie.
or rather more counties in which two
delegations appeared than ever before
known in this State. The convention
of 1888, which nominated Taylor. OF
even that of 1889 during the fight over
the settlement of the State debt, are
not to be compared with the present
gathering, either in point of number
or in the bitterness of feeling mani
tested.
The State Capitol would have prov
en- wholly inadequate for the accom-
mediation of the delegates, as it was
the spacious Auditorium was packed
to the limit when the convention as
sembled.
AS before stated, the confusion and
excitement of the convention, which
degenerated into bowling mob with
out semblance of parliamentary or
der or decorum, grew out of the mum
Der of contested counties, and also as
result of the rather unreasonable
rule which obtains in the Democratic
party with reference to the settlement
of the contests. That some of the
contests are frivolous is generally ad-
mitted. Under party precedent, how
ever, in all cases where contest is
filed the delegation from the county
affected is DISTINGUISHED. An attempt
tor carry into effect this practice pre-
cipitated the storm that disfgured
Tuesdays meeting.
Trouble Began Early.
From the moment that the conven-
ton assembled it was evident that
there would be trouble. The Patter-
son delegations from the contested
counties, particularly from Davidson,
Shelby and Giles, were determined
that they would not submit to the ex-
clusion of these counties from the
temporary roll call, and when the eff
fort was made they rose in solemn
protest and from that time on the
proceedings of the convention, are
from a parliamentary standpoint, a
perfect blank. On the other hand,
the Patterson opposition, which con-
trolled the temporary or parliament
tary portion of the convention, were
equally as determined that none of
the contested counties should partici-
pate in the temporary organization.
With crowd of 5000 enthusiastic par
tisans it is not difficult to imagine the
inevitable result of such a situation
Pandemonium Breaks Loose.
All the counties on the contested
list were passed on third roll call,
which proceeded amid the greatest
confusion and excitement until Rob
ertson county was reached. The vote
of this county was cast and promptly
by member of the dele
cation. The Chair directed that the
county be passed until the roll call
was finished Similar action had been
taken with reference to Lauderdale
County. Evidently, however, the del
egation from Robertson County con-
strued this action as an effort to dis
the county. To add to the
confusion and increase the excitement
a free-for-all fight engaged the atten-
ton of the convention from the oppo-
site end of the platform from which
the delegation from Robertson was
seated.
Believing that a deliberate attempt
was being made to disfranchise suf-
ficient delegations to give the Bond
and Cox factions control of the con-
vention, large portion of the Rob-
ertson County delegation rushed to
the platform angrily gesticulating and
the action of the Chair
man. They were supplemented by
other Patterson delegations, and from
that time on scenes of the most in
1escribable confusion and unprece- /
1ented excitement prevailed. No bus
mess was transacted or even attempt |
ed to be disposed of. In the midst of
The excitement and confusion on the
stage Luke Lea obtined the gavel of
Chairman Alternately and from that |
hour to the close of the days proceed
ngs the convention apparently had
.wo presiding officers.
Robertson County was called at
Continued on Fourth Page.