Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-07-20

mtttec.
After having been divided for year.
the members OF the Democratic state
committee met In harmonious ses-
sion in Harrisburg. Pa.
All factions were represented. and
the two men who have claimed the
craftsmanship. former Mayor Guthrie.
of Pittsburgh. OF the reorganization
faction, and Walter y. Ritter. of VII.
Transport. OF the Guffey regular" fac
ton, sat beside each other on the
platform. Practically every member
was present. together with many OF
the leaders.
Just before adjournment the com
mittee adopted a resolution putting
fusion in the hands of the executive
committee. The resolution called for
fusion In districts with other parties
in sympathy with Democratic aims and
principles"
Mr. Guthrie called the meeting TO
order and said Immediately after the
reading OF the call. that to avoid all
VutbAtOuS 40 w .HAs 49,
ter had also issued call This action
ends all schism and assures united
Democracy" said he.
Following lively row over the
committee membership from Allie
gheny county, in which the odd
guard" element. headed by W. J. Bren-
nan. were bowled out by vote of SO
to |, Mr.. Guthrie was reelected Is
chairman. and in a speech urged party
harmony.
Mr.. Ritter followed this by resign
Ing all claim to the remaining six
months of the term 10 which he claim
ed he had been elected.
The resignation was accepted and
Mr.. Ritter's move for harmony was
commended by resolution adopted
amid cheers. A telegram from Gov.
ernor Wilson. the party's presidential
nominee. giving his congratulations.
also caused big demonstration.
Allegheny county's contending fac
tons claimed the attention Of the
committee when the roll was called.
The names OF Joseph + Guffey. re-
organizer. and -four Of his friends APP
peared on the roll. and W ]. Brennan.
leader OF the faction which had op.
posed reorganization. said another set
of names had been certified. moving
that a change he made $. ]. Graham.
OF Pittsburgh. appeared In behalf OF
the men on the roll Brennan con.
tended that ]. J. McKelvey. J. A. Clark.
S. J. Tool. c. p Mayer and himself
had been legally elected BY 2I0 OF $40
members and the names had been GER
tilted TO Mr., Ritter.
Nearly an hour was devoted to ar
gnment. which al times grew decidedly
personal and bitter ending in the
Brennan crowd remaining definitely OF
the roll
The Democratic leaders seemed.
prior 10 the meeting. TO be more con
cerned about cffecting fusion with the
Keystone party on congressional. SEN
atorial and legislative nominees than
on state offices. and tentatively decid.
ed. instead OF putting before the com
miitce a cut and dried program. TO LEI
the committeeman speak their minds
and then give the power 10 effect fi-
sion to a committee of five or seven.
which can treat with the keystone
state committee.
Friends OF Robert T. Cresswell. Of
Johns'own. nominee for auditor gen.
eral. were outspoken in their opposi'
ton TO having him retire in favor Of
Cornelius Scully. the Keystone nomi.
nee. THEY said that William II. Berry
was the candidate Of both parties for
state treasurer and sufficiently repre-
scented fusion on tho state offices.
Joseph Howley. George r. Mclean
and George d Shaw. three OF the nom-
inees for congress.at-large. II was said,
would not think Of retiring. and no
one seemed willing even to suggest
the step TO T. T.. Greenawal,, OF Ian
caster. the labor representative.