Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1912-06-29
CHAMP CLARK LEADS WOODROW WILSON ON FIRST BALLOT
At THE BALTIMORE CONVENTION EARLY THIS MORNING
Georgians and other Underwood dele.

Georgians and other Underwood dele
gates.
Underwood banners and pictures
were held far aloft as the band played
Dixie" While the Underwood dem
onstration was on, Thomas J. Brown,
Georgia delegate, walked to the stage
and released a white dove OF peace
The dove seemed frightened by the
lights and noise and futtered down TO
q desk.
Next the Underwood forces started
parade through the aisles, two OF them
carrying little Miss Brewer the four
teen year old daughter of former GOV
ernor Brewer, of Mississippi, at the
head of the line, the Underwood en-
thusiasm continued for 26 minutes.
The call of the states then was re-
sumed.
Reed Nomlnates Clark.
Z Arizona Welded to Missouri and Sen
ator James A. Reed, Of that state, took
the platform to nominate Cnamp
Clark. He was applauded as ne pro-
ceeded.
AS 1t drew past midnight slow ex-
olus began and the shutfling or feet
along the gallery aisles and stairs
made it dificult to hear Senator Reed.
Frequently he was interrupted by the
gavel trying to restore order.
7gs Senator Reed concluded at12:25 ana
the demonstration for Clark was I'M
mediately started. For the first time
standard was torn from its place and
carried around the, hall. 1t was that
OF Idaho and when it reached the Mis-
souri, delegation their standard was
torn loose and it joined the process
sion.
Leading Candidates Hopeful.
The speakers adherents were de-
claring today that he would steaoliy
gain as the balloting in the convention
progressed and at the same time were
busy with their delegates to see Nthat
there were no defections. ~
The Wilson people on the otner
hand made claims that now that varl-
GUS instructed delegates had cast their
votes on the first ballot in accordance
with these instructions, they would be
free later on to switch to a second
choice. They hoped to gain greatly IN
these changes.
1t had been known for weeks tnat
because OF the great number OF canol.
dates and "fayorite sous" in the nght
for the nomination that selection on
the first ballot was out of the question.
The ballot this morning bore ont tnese
expectations. 1t was because the dele-
gates knew the situation was complex
that they patiently sat through the
night listening to many weary hours
Of oratory and then agreed to test
vote before recessing for sleep ana
conferences prior TO renewing the
stru gle. Every one wanted to know
how matters stood and the roll call
gave a definite idea of the preliminary
! lineup.
Little Danger Of Bryan Stampede.
The big doubtful quantity in it was
the vote Of New York That delega-
ton at a caucus last night decided7to
gise its ninety votes to Gov. Har-
mon On the first ballot. There prob
ally Will be other caucuses in the
delegation as the ballots progress and
there is a chance that the big block
Of votes may be thrown at any time
to Clark Wilson or some other candl'
date.
In addition to the renewed talk Of
q possibility of Mr. Bryan's nomination
there vas renewed talk of dark
horses Most OF. the delegates how
.er. seemed content to let the fight
run along in the convention through
sia er seven ballots before trying to
reach agreements with opposing
forces.
There seemed today to be little
chance of a stampede. Any at
tempt to nominate Mr. Bryan would
meet with stubborn resistance from
some of the southern states, instruct
ed for Underwood and held subject to
his release and from the conservative
element including possibly some of the
so.called Clark states.
Bryan Precipitates Fight.
Mr.. Bryan was the center of fight
in the convention last night, precipi-
tated by him at the opening OF the
evening session and continuing nearly
three hours. There was much specu-
lation as to what his purpose was
when he arose almost Immediately
after the fall of/the gayel and asked
Immediate consideration of a resolu-
ton which would have thrown Thos.
F. Ryan of the Virginia delegation
and August Belmont of the New York
delegation out of the convention.
This move of course threw the con-
vention into an uproar during which
Congressman H. D. Flood of Virginia,
accused Mr. Bryan of being the only
democrat in the country anxious to
destroy the party" Mr., Bryan seem
ed to fairly revel in the fight. The
delegates had come to the convention
under the impression that the nom
mating speeches were to be proceeded
with at once and were not prepared
for the Bryan resolution which came
without warning of any sort Virginia
protested loudly aaginst the proposi-
ton while New York sat in silent dis
regard of Mr.. Bryan's suggestion that
the delegation be polled as to whether
or not Mr. Belmont's presence in the
convention was desired.
The storm became so great that Mr..
Bryan decided to strike out that part
OF the resolution which would have
dismissed Messrs. Ryan and Belmont
from the convention but insisted on a
nh, Jlyhio