The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1908-04-29
LIVELY MASS
CONVENTION
Largest Body Of Republicans
Ever Assembled At The
County Seat.
NOTES OF THE MEETING.

dinsburg last Saturday to nominate del
egates to the District and State Conven-
tons to be held IN Elizabethtown and
Louisville Tuesday May S, and Wednes-
day May 6.
1t was the largest and most enthusi-
astic body of men ever assembled IN
Hardinsburg in the way of mass con-
vention, either Republican or Demo
cratic. Six or seven hundred loyal,
enthusiastic voters were there to assert
their rights as American citizens and
voters for the choice of their standard
bearer in the great political battle which
is soon to take definite shape in this
great union next November.
They were there for one purpose and
one thought, the election Of their man.
The sentiment of the convention was
about equally divided between Taft and
Fairbanks with Taft in the lead by a
small majority. No vote was ever taken
between these two men. The fight re-
solved itself into local contest between
the local politicians who were en1eav'
oring to carry the convention for their
own personal benefits. This state OF
affairs was developed as soon as chair
man Gus Shellman called the convention
to order in the no ninating speeches for
permanent chairman.
Mr.. Jesse Eskridge, leader Of the
Taft men, put in nomination Judge VIM.
Ali for chairman. His speech was
personal defense of himself and his
party loyalty, and a severe and caustio
arraignment of the followers Of Fair
banks, a speech that was ill-timed and
out of place in the opening OF great
convention like he addressed. 1t rued
ter other side, put them on their metal
and started the convention in an uProar
As soon as Mr. Eskridge got through,
the Hon. John p. Hsswell, Jr., got the
floor and put in nomination Mr.. X. l..
Oelze. His speech, like Eskridge's, was
purely personal in defense of his record
as public officer, and what he had
done and the personal sacrifices he had
maze lOI tue PdlIy' anu ANS'NS'e"'4J
Jumping on to his opponent, Mr.. Blan-
ford. for his acts of omission aud COM
mission.
This brought the Hon. Cbas. Blan-
ford to his feet red-hot and a boiling.
He had a few words to say in defense
of his record. And what he said was
enough and some to spare.
With Mr. Banford's speech the nomi-
nations closed.
Then the real hot time commenced.
Chairman Shellman called the vote. He
had big stick, but it was of no avail,
pandemonium reigned. He pounded
with his big stick and shouted himself
hoarse, but they wouldn't listen. Such
pulling and hauling no one ever saw.
Men with their coats off, shouting at the
top of rheir voices: Gone over on this
side, Don't stay there, this is where
you belong" And with this you could
see Que of the leaders grab fellow oy
the collar and pull him over, only to see
him go back. So for half an hour or
more this thing went on.
Chairman Shellman, after being al
most exhausted, finally got things in or
der and the men appointed to count the
votes reported in favor of Oelze for
chairman. After the shouting was over
Mr.. Oelze was escorted to the chair and
made the best, the most patriotic speech
Al
was elected secretary.
1t seemed, after Mr.. Oelze had spok
en- and named his committees, that the
work of the convention would proceed
in order. But no sooner had the COM
mittees got together aud retired to make
their report, than up came Mr.. Eskridge
with resolution asking the convention
to instruct the delegates to cast the vote
of Breckenridge county for M. L. Heav-
erin for State Committeeman.
This took the other side of the house
by surprise, and another reign of terror
began. Mr.. Haswell, who was in the
rear of the hall, jumped on a chair with
his coat off and moved to refer the reso-
luton to the committee on resolutions.
Here was another fight which resulted
in the defeat of Haswell's motion. A
vote was then takeu on the Eskridge
resolution which was carried by de.
cided majority.
This was a Knockout for the Fair
banks side, and indicated that the con-
vention was largely for Taft. Mr.
Heavern being Taft man.
The committee on resolutions made