The San Francisco call., 1908-07-09


an hours acrimonious debate, af
the minority report, which was favor
able to the Guffey faction, by the de-
clslve vote of 615 to 3S7 The majority
report was then adopted by a viva voce
vote. and the convention adjourned un-
| I'll IL o'clock tomorrow.
In his speech supporting the majority
report the chairman of the credentials
committee said that the evidence before
the committee showed that in Philadel-
phia the Guffey faction brought host
OF republicans to the democratic pri-
mary polls These voters, he declared,
were members of the Philadelphia re-
publican machine, of which "one Nc
Nichol" was the head. In one con-
gressional district, where the normal
democratic vote was about 1000, the
vote in the primary swelleS to more
| than 2,700. This was but one instance
of many, declared Callahan, the evil
dence of which was supported by un-
disputed affidavits.
In behalf of the minority report the
chair recognized John d. Bellamy of
North Carolina, one of the signers of
the document. He declared the con-
testants brought absolutely no sort Of
credentials with them to set against
the undisputed count of ballots cast in
favor of the Guffey delegates.
The speaker called out a storm of
|
| republicans who went to the polls as
democrats had a right to have their
votes counted as democrats.
HOBSON TALKS OF WAR
While the convention waited for the
report of the committee on credentials
Richmond Pearson Hobson of Alabama
was invited to speak.
Hobson began at some length to lead
up to discussion Of the japanese in
cidents of several months ago at Van
oouver and San Francisco. He then de-
| clared that IL the democratic party was
successful in the election he believed
that 1t would. before the end of the
four years. have a great foreign war
on its hands,
Instantly there came from the con-
vention a chorus of mingled groans,
catcalls, Kisses and cries of NO no."
Hobson was compelled to cease his
speech entirely, but stood calm and
/ tense, determined to finish his address.
My countrymen, my message is near
| ly through" said Hobson when he had
attention. A cry of Amen" sent gale
| of laughter over the hall
Il want to say to YOU" went on
Hobson. gritting his teeth in determina-
tion, that not so very long ago the
president of the United States said
in my presence that there exists the
| greatest probability of war with
| Japan"
'If this great war comes" continued
Hobson with intense earnestness, the
party upon which the responsibility
comes will be ground to powder. 1
! believe that at this juncture we should
! place the responsibility where 1T be-
| longs-upon the party now in power
| and which has declined to provide
adequate coast defenses."
He was for a time heard in silence,
| but roar of laughter went up when
voice in the rear shouted: 'Hurrah
| for the Merrimac."
PLEA FOR BIG NAVY
Hobson finally closed with a plea
| that, when the democrats succeeded to
| power in the nation, they so prepare to
ward off war as to provide peace and
| good will toward men throughout all
! the world.
THE chairman wishes TO add word
| or two said the chairman as soon as
the tumult that followed Hobson's re-
| treat had given him chance to be
heard, and he then said:
THE chair halls from the Pacific
coast and up to the present moment
he has seen no occasion to enlist"
A roar of laughter greeted the re-
mark, which turned into applause when
| he said IF we have our way out on
the Pacific coast we will have big
enough navy to protect our coast"
Colonel Haldeman of Kentucky was
recognized by the chair and proceeded
to take issue with Hobson. declaring
that the United States has p first class
battleships and Japan but 16.
And I want to say that we are not
afraid of Japan or anybody else on the
face of the globe" concluded Colonel
| Haldeman amid applause.
TOWNE AND TAYLOR SPEAK
Chairman Bell announced that the
committee on credentials would not be
ready to report for several minutes.
| This afternoon said Bell, Il sent
committee down into the New York
delegation to escort to the platform
Senator Charles A. Towne"-
| That was as far as the chairman was
allowed to proceed, and Towne took the
rostrum amid much applause. His ad-
dress was brief and secured the good
will of the convention.
Taylor, Taylor" cried many of the
delegates, remembering the invitation
OF the afternoon to the Tennessee SEN
| ator.
| Callahan of Massachusetts,, chairman
of the committee on credentials, was
| in the aisle clamoring for recognition
when Taylor was escorted to the stage.
He urged the wiping out of the sec
tional line so far as politics is con-
eerned and said:
| Let us nominate the plumed knight
of the west, who has grown stronger
through two defeats"
AS Senator Taylor retired the chair
man announced: Gentlemen of the
| convention, we are now going to get
down to hard work. The committee
on credentials is ready to report. The
chair recognizes Christopher G. Gala
han, chairman of the committee
Callahan then read the report, as
! follows:
REPORT OF MAJORITY
/ In the matter Of the contests from the states
| OF Idaho, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Pennsylva-
| MIA and The district OF Columbia your commi ttee
begs to report that they have carefully lnvesti-
gated each of said contests; that hearings have
| been given to both the contestants and con-
! testees IN each OF said contests, and your COM
mittee has endeavored to ascertain as near as
| can be all the facts bearing upon each contest
and after careful investigation Of the merits of
| each contest recommends that in each Of the
| following contests the delegations as named By
| the name of Bryan, a majority of the
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