The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-07-09
GUFFEY'S DELEGATES
GO INTO THE DISCARD

DENVER, July 9.-Persistent Col
Jim" Guffey. OF Pennsylvania, who has
been the discordant note in the Demo
cratic convention harmony. at last has
! probably got his quietus. At last
nights session OF the convention, the
credentials committees report, ousting
eight Guffey delegates and seating
tfose of the Bryan-Kerr contingent
was adopted.
The actual vote was upon minor
ity report fayoring the Guffey dele
gate,. which was rejected, 615 TO 3S7.
The Michigan delegation divided on
a poll. hut the unit rule prevailed and
the entire vote was cast against Cuff
fey.
The report was signed by the rep
resentatives on the committee from
the following states: Maryland, New
Jersey, New York, Louisiana, Illinois.
North Carolina. Georgia, Virginia.
Minnesota. Delaware. New Hampshire,
Kentucky, West Virginia.
Straus Presented Report.
In his report. which was presente |
by j. l.. Straus, OF Maryland, the
statement was made and II was not
denied during the evening, that the
contestants produced no credentials
whatsoever and that they had made
no protest to any local convention in
Pennsylvania nor appealed to the
courts as they we're entitled to co by
the primary law OF the state.
On the other hand, the minority In
sisted that the credentials which had
been approved by the national com
mittec, we're absolutely In perfect
form and that they had not been at
tackled IT, any way before the commit
tee. The minority report concluded
with the declaration that "the action
of the majority of the committee is "A
staggering blow at the Independence
of the Democracy OF the sovereign.
state"
Just here Chairman Bell made a
ruling which at once subjected him To
the criticism OF those acquainted with
the practice In the house OF representa-
lives and similar bodies which are the
standard The point is a nice one.
but can be readily understood as
matter OF convention practice.
In the first place, Mr.. Callahan
moved to adopt the majority report.
Then Mr.. Straus moved as suDsti-
tute for this the adoption OF the min
ority report. Gov Haskell, OF Okla
homa. who was not a member OF the
credentials committee, made sugges-
ton that one hours debate be allowed.
the time to be equally divided between
the two sides.
Thereupon Mr. Straus, made an ex'
[ cellent impression, both on the dele
gates and on Che gallery, making a
point which was unquestionably well
! taken. that, as h. had made an affirm
alive motion. he was entitled TO open
and close the debate which was OF
great advantage.
In making this point. he followed
! the practice OF the house or repre-
sentativesA bat Chairman Bell ruled
+ that majority report always had
precedence and was entitled 20 the
/ opening and closing
Hints Republicans Aided ouffey.
Chairman Callahan spoke In behalf
OF the majority report He did not
go into the merits OF the case at all
He merely declared that, ia several
! instances, more votes We're cast at the
primary several times over than there
we're democratic vstes az the last pre-
ceding election The Inference, o'
course, was that the Republicans as
sisted in the Democratic primary ans
secured the election of the eight Gut
few delegates from the five Philadel
i phia districts
There was nothing but inference
| however
No Chance for Minority.
On the other hand, Mr. Straus mad'