Omaha daily bee., 1912-07-31
Takes Platform and Moves Choice
Be Unanimous.
DOUGLAS DELEGATION coRKED UP
It's Members Sit Mute While Voting
Goes On.
sHAILENBERGER IAUDS BRYAN
Candidate for United States Senator
Forgets what Has Gone Before
and Jumps Into band Wagon
for Sake OF Harmony.
tFrom a staff Correspondent, /,

GRAND ISLAND. Neb., July 30.-tSpe-
cial Telegram 1.-THE democrats In state
convention this afternoon elected w. H.
Thompson Of Grand Island chairman OF
the state central committee over ]. 9.
Byrnes, candidate for reelection to this
place. No fight took place on the con-
vention floor, the contest being settled
before one roll call was over.
| When II was seen that the vote was
| against Byrnes, even long before the
| totals we're announced Mr.. Byrnes took
the platform and moved that the elec-
tion OF Mr.. Thompson be made una.ni-
nous, which was done.
| Contrary to the expectations OF many.
both the Douglas and Lancaster county
delegations sat mute through the fight
on the chairmanship no delegate from
either Of these opposing and bitter camps
undertaking to make speech placing
anyone In nomination or seconding the
nomination of either Byrnes or Thomp-
son,
When the roll was called the voice of
T. J. Nolan Of Douglas rang out. Doug
las county, 105 for Byrnes."
In like manner Charley Bryan an
nounced, Lancaster county. fifty-eisht
for Thompson"
These were the only sounds heard
from these two delegations during the
fight with the exception Of an occasional
cheer Of speech favorable to one or the
other faction.
w. II. Thompson, as temporary chair
Bryan Bottle UncorLed.
man Of the convention uncorked the
Bryan bottle and brought majority Of
the convention to their feet or on top
of the chairs, when In his Introductory
speech at the opening Of the convention
he said:
For sixteen years democracy's hon.
ored son has carried the Banner OF
democracy through the thickest OF the
flght ana three times in his fight has
the name Of Bryan grown brighter and
brighter and each time has the nations
democracy grown, closer and closer to-
him.. 44
Mr.. Thompson read letter from Cons
| gressmen C. O. Lobeck and John Ma
guire. who explained they could not ac-
,cept the invitation to attend the con-
vention because Representative Under
wood had announced he could not ex-
cuse any members from congress unless
for sickness.
shaIIy Eats Grow.
/ A letter from A. C. Shallenberger.
candidate for senator. In explaining that
he could not attend the convention be-,
cause the chautauqua managers had made
1t plain that they would hold him for,
heavy damages IL ne broke an engage
ment with them. He Ia at Charleston, ILL.,
Mr.. shallenberger further said in his
letter:
'.Mr. Bryan should be commended as.
the leading progressive of the country,
who has pointed out tn eway for others
to follow. He Is stronger now than ever
before because Of his principles
The ex-governor also suggested that the
convention ,censure the republican ad-
ministration for extravagance and for its
poor administration OF the affairs Of the
state penitentiary. The letter was heard
with cheers.
Wilson Sends Letter.
Letters were also read from Woodrow
Wilson and Thomas r. Marshall ex-
pressing regret at not being able to ac.
cept the invitation to attend the Me-
braska state convention.
The convention opened at 2:15. State
Chairman Byrnes In calling the conven-
tion to order got a good round Of ap-
plause.
Il hope" hel said, that II We are to
have differences this afternoon and IL we
have factional fights, I say. I hope we
will be liberal minded enough to hang
together and united after the convention
10 over.
Rev. Samuel Dunn Bartle. d. D.. OF
Grand Island pronounced the invocation.
The chairman had read, only q few
paragraphs OF the. convention call when
Chris Gruenther of Columbus moved that,
the remainder be dispensed with. The
motion carried and Temporary Chairman