The Detroit times., 1912-07-02
riot BREAKS OUT AS
AISSOURIAAS TAKE FLING
AT WILLIAM ]. BRYAN
Clark Followers Unfold Flaring
OiIcloth Sign and Send 1t
to Nebraska Group.
HALF DOZEN FIST
FIGHTS IN AUDITORIUM
Wild Scenes Come After Long,
Nerve-racking Struggle
For Supremacy.
FIFTH REGIMENT ARMoRY,

FIFTH REGIMENT ARMoRY,
Baltimore, July "A riot broke out
in the convention hall Monday after
noon when the Missourian delegation
took a fling at William ]. Bryan.
to have its effect.
Just after the thirty-third ballot
was completed the Missouri delega.
ton suddenly unfolded a iaring oil
cloth sign on which was the follow.
Ing In bright lettars:
/ have known Champ Clark 10
years. He is absolutely incorrupti.
BILE. His life is above reproach. Never
In all these years have | known him
to be but upon one side OF the ques-
ton and that was the side that rep
= resented the people.
(Signed) WILLIAM ]. BRYAN.
After holding the banner where II
was a minute or two, Dave Francis
yelled:
Take it to Nebraska"
The banner was carried over 20
where Bryan was sitting The Mis-
a squrians yelled at him:
Here is what YOU said Now what
are YOU going to.fr about it?"
Bryan. livid with -age. jumped up
and rushed 10 the stage where he &c
inanded OF the acting chairman, John
z. Lamb, OF Indiana, whether he was
10 be subjected TO insult
Bryan demanded the right to an
swer what he termed a "gratuitous
insult"
Lamb refused TO let Bryan talk and
he came down demanding that james
be sent for
Shake Fists at commoner.
Police got on either side Of Bryan
as he stepped before the Missouri
! delegation. The Nebraskan's face
was bright red and as he called for
David Francis or the chairman Of the
Missouri delegation dozen fists
were shaken in his face and members
OF the Missouri delegation leaned
over and tauntingly yelled: CLARK"
CLARK" directly in his face and care.
A free-for-all fight started over the
banner directly In front OF the press
stand. A dozen Missourians, protected
by the sergeant-at-arms corps. raised
the banner on the press section. They
were thrown bodily to the floor. A
Gozen men were fighting on the floor
, while the Baltimore police made
childishly feeble efforts 10 stop the
near riot.
Tries 20 Shift Blame.
Chairman James, when order was
restored, tried to place the blame for
the disorder on the visitors despite
the fact that at least two-thirds or
the Missouri delegation had not alone
precfpitated, but had participated in
the wild scenes
James announced the result OF the
ballot and ordered the clerk TO pro-
coed with the rollcall
Bryan demanded the right to spea
/, The Missouri delegation shouted:
NO" No" HE cannot talk"
James finally declared that Bryan
had arisen to question OF personal
privilege and that he could state his
question.
MIR. Chairman, / was seated"
This was as far as Bryan got when
Mayor Fitzgerald made the point OF
order that. on Saturday night he
(Fitzgerald) was refused permission
to talk
James said that II he had risen 10
a question of personal privilege he
would have been heard.
Fitzgerald insisted that he was not
permitted to speak to question of
personal privilege and that as he was
denied the right to speak he would
have to object to Bryan's recognition.
Bryan resumed:
Mr. Chairman, was seated with
my delegation when a banner was
brought and placed in front OF us. I
asked that 1t be removed from that
place. Being refused, went to the
Missouri delegation to find out II the
banner was taken to the Nebraska
delegation by order. II that was the
unauthorized act OF those who brought
1t, have nothing further to say. II
II was the official act of the Missouri
delegation then demand the right to