Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1906-02-22
CAUCUS BOLTER IN
A FORMER MELEE
Senator Patterson's Recon.
Action Recalls Row in
National Convention.
NEAR F~REE-FOR-AlL FIGHT
TX Congressman Kelly, Of South Dako.
ia. Secured Recognition by Chair
nan Patterson Only After a
Highly Sensational Episode.

sioux Fails. : -. Feb Is. Senator
Thomas NJ I'a'tcrson's disregard of
caucu rule in the United states sem
rts etnina wes'rrsnrs. and especially
former populists. of whom tc was one.
of another display of Independence by
the Colorado m9n. which nearly precip-
itated a free for all iight in a national
conventions.
Patterson was chairman of the ma
tional popuiist convention which was
held in Sioux Falls. =. D., May $40.
1900. His refusal to recognize Fx-Con-
gresham John r. Kelly of South Da-
k"ta. VIII" attempted for hours to get
the floor, finally aroused the irish
blood OF the South Dakotan. and u
scene resulted IN which a dozen Colo
RADIO delegates peeled off their coats.
while "A score of South Dakota men rad
lied around Kelly. who. rushing up to
the platform. told Chairman Patterson
n few plain things. personal and other
wise. Several onlookerS declared aft
cr~ard there were weapons drawn and
held in readiness for a general mix-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 a vice
presidential candidate should be chosen.
the plan generally being 10 support the
democrats and Bryan. E~x-Congress-
man Kelly mad. repeated attempts to
get recognition from the chair. hut
failed. the slight seeming Intentional in
view of some differences between Pat
terson and Kelly at u former confer
cncc In which this feasibility of General
n of Iowa for vice presidential
timber was being considered. The strain
in the south Dakota delegation became
so intense that finally II member went
to Chairman Patterson and asked him
to recognize Mr.. Kelly. r.. Gerry Brown
of Massachusetts was talking and the
chair said. or is alleged to have said:
II will recognize Mr.. Kelly next. "
Mr.. Brown concluded and IA dozen
the big tent in which the convention
met. Chairman Patterson arose and
said:
After delivering these letters and
kilograms. the chair viii recognize Mr..
Greco of Michigan
Then the fireworks went off.
Pyrotcchnics Touched OF.
SCOUT Dakota will Ne glad to gA
these letters" began F.N-Congrcssnlan
Kelly. his voice trembling with anger.
for ii is the frs, recognition that this
state has received tonight"
THE gentleman is out of order"
roared the chairman. pounding thunder
ously with his gavcl.
II have Il 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 anerily.
You arc nothing but II common
bunco steerer and not fit To preside over
q populist convention. and o never
viii again
"Pu, hin, out came from the Colo
RADIO delegation and Patterson white
With ramc VAS still hanmering with the
gavei.
II WAS ut this junct,ire tina the clash,
between the delegations of Colorado
and South DakOt seemed imminent as
they met overwhelmingly near the plat
form. sore taking off their coats ON
the way there.
Tom Reed Not So Despotie.
II rose ~ a point nf order. gentle
men," houtc MIR. Kelly waving the
crowd back. and I've a right to be
heard. Why. even Tom Reed would
permit that
The sergeant Mt arms was
ny the chair and this f~unctionary's
hellicose demonstration was so anus
Ing that Soine degree of good nature
was restored and the Coloradoans and
South Dakotais separated and went
back to their respective places. Chair
man Patterson said:
although MIR. Kelly has been doing
is best tn intimidate the chair. I will
'ecognize him after Mr.. Greece has fin
\'hed. not hecause he is Mr.. Kelly. but
aecausc lc represents the fair state of
which We are guests"
When Mr.. Kelly spoke ne made IA var
Hal apology and the incident was
,ioeed. But South Dakota is still sore
1T Patterson and doubts his sincerity.