The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1906-02-22
CAUCUS BOLTER IN
A FORMER MELEE
Senator Patterson's Recent
Action Recalls Row in
National Convention.
NEAR FREE.FoR-ALL FIGHT
Es.consrsssran Kelly, Of South Dsko.
"a, Secured Recognition by Chair
man Patterson Only After
Highly Sensational Episode

Sioux Falls. =. D.. Feb. Ex-senator
Thomas NJ. Pattcrsons disregard OF
caucus rule In the United States SEN
ate reminds wcsterners, and especially
former populists. OF whom he was one.
OF another display of independence by
the Colorado man. which nearly precip-
itated free for all fight I'm a national
convention.
Patterson was chairman OF the ma
tional populist convention which was
held In Sioux Falls. s. D., May s-io.
1900. His refusal 10 recognize Ex-Con-
gresham John +. Kelly OF South Da-
kota. who attempted for hours to get
the floor, finally aroused the Irish
blood OF the South Dakotan, and n
scene resulted In which n dozen Colo
RADIO delegates peeled OF their coats.
while n score OF South Dakota men raj
lied around Kelly. who. rushing up to
the platform. told Chairman Patterson
n few plain things, personal and other
wise. Several onlookers declared aft
erward there were weapons drawn and
held In readiness for n general mtx-up.
but these statements are thought To
have been the product OF excitement
and not OF fact
Slight Seemed Intentional
The trouble occurred at the evening
session when vigorous speeches were
being made as TO whether or not vice
presidential candidate should be chosen.
the plan generally being To support the
democrats and Bryan. Ex-Congress-
man Kelly made repeated attempts TO
get recognition from the chair. but
failed. the slight seeming intentional In
view OF some differences between Pat
terson and Kelly at former confer
ence IN which the feasibility of General
Weaver OF Iowa for vice presidential
timber was being considered. The strain
In the South Dakota delegation became
no intense that finally one member went
10 Chairman Patterson and asked him
20 recognize Mr.. Kelly. F. Gerry Brown,
OF Massachusetts, was talking and the,
chair said. or In alleged TO have said:
II Will recognize Mr.. Kelly next.
Mr.. Brown concluded and dozen,
Mr.. Chalrrnans" re-echoed throughout
the big tent I'm which the convention
met. Chairman Patterson arose and
said:
After delivering these letters and
kilograms. the chair will recognize Mr..
Greco OF Michigan"
Then the fireworks went on.
Pyroteehnies Touched on.
South Dakota will be glad TO gc<
these letters" began Ex.Congressman
Kelly. his voice trembling with anger.
for e Is the FIRST recognition that this
state has received tonight
THE gentleman ~ out OF order,
roared the chairman. pounding thunder
ousiy with his gavel.
II have a right To be heard, shouted
Kelly advancing menacingly toward
the chairman. And then shaking his
finger at Patterson. who was just above
him he screamed angrlly:
You arc nothing but common
bunco steerer and not NJ tn preside over
"a populist convention. and you never
will again"
put him out" came from the Colo
RADIO delegation and Patterson white
with rage was still hammering with the
gavel.
IL was 1T this juncture that the clash
between the delegations Of Colorado
and South Dakota seemed imminent as
they met threatenIngly near the plat
form. some taking of their coats on
the way there.
Ton, Reed Not So Despotie.
II rose to a point OF order. gentle
men," shouted. Mr.. Kelly waving the
crowd back. and I've right TO be
heard. Why. even Tom Reed would
permit that"
The sergeant at arms was summoned
by the chair and this functionary's
bcllicose demonstration was 10 anus
ing that some degree OF good nature
South Dakotans separated and went
back to their respective places. Chair
man Patterson said:
Although Mr.. Kelly has been doing
his best 10 intimidate the chair. will
recognize him after Mr.. Greece has nm
shed, not because he is Mr.. Kelly. but
because he represents the fair state or
which We are guests
When Mr.. Kelly spoke he made par
.ial apology and the incident was
closed. But South Dakota In still sore
ut Patterson and doubts his sincerity.