The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-08-21
Bryan and Sullivan Crowds Will
Fight to Finish.
WILL BE NO GAG RULE.
National Committeeman Claims
to Be in Control.
Says Opposition Will Be Given a
Fair Chance.

Peoria, Ill, Aug. 21.@The Demo-
cratic state convention met today for
the purpose OF nominating candidates
for state treasurer. state superinten-
dent of public instruction and three
trustees of the University of Illinois.
In reality, however. the convention
was more of a fight for the control of
the state party machinery between
the faction headed by National Com
mitteeman Roger c. Sullivan, of Chi
cago, and the immediate followers of
William J. Bryan, who in successive
letters has asked the resignation of
Sullivan from the national committee
on the ground that 1t was improperly
obtained two years ago.
Sullivan has not only refused to re-
sign, but he and his friends resent
what they term the interference OF
Mr.. Bryan in their state politics.
Before the convention both sides
predicted success, Sullivan claiming
that he controlled 1,400 out of the
1866 delegates and the Bryan people
who are headed by Judge Owen
Thompson of Jacksonville and Con-
gressman William T. Rainey. giving
no figures but asserting confidently
that they controlled the situation.
They declared that unles the con-
vention followed the wishes of Mr..
Bryan and repudiated Sullivan, they
would fight 10 the last against any
endorsement of Bryan by the conven-
ton. sullivan declared on the other
hand that Bryan would be endorsed
whether he liked it or not.
The indications at the opening Of the
convention were for long and hard
fight with a superabundance Of heated
oratory. The first fight was expected
over the selection of a chairman, the
Sullivan forces bringing forward Judge
c. c. BOggs of Fairfield for the posi-
! inn ha Tor-xra IA
gresham Rainey. Just prior to the con-
VentiOn, however, the Sullivan people
agreed that they would interpose no OBJ
stacle to the Introduction of a resolution
into the convention condemning Sulli-
van and asking for his resignation from
the national committee. This was satis-
factory to Rainey and Thompson, and
the chances Of a hard fight IN this di-
! rection were obViated
We do not propose to make any trou-
I bic said Sullivan. they can bring in
any sort of resolution they want.
What will happen to their resolutions
! is another matter. We have the votes
to control the convention and we pro-
pose to do It. When it is over. there
will be 10 complaint about gag rule,
and the overthrowing of the will of the
majority. Everybody will get all the
chance he wants"
Although the hour for the opening If
the convention was II o'clock it was
an hour later before half of the dele
gates were in their seats. The length
of the county caucuses which were set
just before the convention and a smart
thunder shower which followed the eau
cuses were the chief causes Of the de-
la.
The convention was called to order a
II 80 o'clock by Chairman Bosecben-
stein, of the state central committee,
who announced that the committee had
selected for temporary chairman Judge
Carroll c. BOggs of Fairfield. Congress-
man Rainey, scheduled by the anti
Sullivan forces for chairman, was recog-
nized and said he approved the choice
of the state committee.
Despite the request of Congressman
Rainey that his friends vote for Boggs.
number Of them persisted in voting
for him. The total vote was: Boggs l.
634; Rainey &c.
Judge Boggs, upon assuming the ga =
el, promised that all delegates should
have an equal opportunity to be heard
and that roll calls would be granted
when asked
Among the business that viii come
before the permanent organization Of
this convention" continued Boggs, the
chair hopes, will be an Endorsement Of
that native son of Illinois, that great
commoner, William Jennings Bryan"
Loud applause followed the name of
Mr. Bryan.
Recess until o'clock.