The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-06-28
BUMPS, BRUISES
ARE SOUVENIRS
OF CONVENTION
Hot Blood of Dixie Is at
Boiling Point; Battles
Are Result.
BY THOMAS L. STOKES
United Press STAFF Correspondent

HOUSTON, Tex, June 28.-Sev-
eral battered heads, bruised arms
and mashed toes-and a woman's
dishevelled hat-bore witness to-
day to one of the "fghtingest"
Democratic convention in history,
and the party has a long history.
Hot Southern blood stood re-
sponsible for a series of fights in
five Southern State delegations in
convention hall, all precipitated by
varying sentiment over Governor AL
fred E. Smith.
But since there was no actual
blood spilled, and the fight was con-
fined to the Solid South, which al
ways goes Democratic, there prob
ably will be no lasting i'll effects on
the party.
The day of fighting came to
climax last night during the Smith
demonstration, when Mississippians
got so mad at each other that they
got mixed up in two real scraps, and
one mere scuffle, which was over
looked.
All Southern Fights
Delegates from North Carolina.
Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia,
who had fought it out in the days
first session, were too tired to mix
it up again, and merely looked on.
The fight was strictly Southern:
Ott4ciIn
ment or interference. New York
ers almost turned their eyes the
other way, though they were light
behind the Mississippi delegation
They are very careful about keeping
out of any fights here.
One policeman, whose head had
been cracked by an irate NORTH
Carolina delegate during the first
sessions general engagements, stood
at the front of the hall early last
night and said hopefully:
II hope there amt any arguments
here tonight"
Mississippi at War
About an hour later the first
Mississippi fight began. This start
ed during the Smith demonstration
when a stout man, Mike" Morris
sey of Vicksburg, who was not
delegate, tried to shove the State
standard into the noisy parade
which, was throwing the hall into
an uproar.
He insisted to Senator Hubert
Stephens of Mississippi that the
banner should go in. Stephens in
sisted the delegation would vote for
Senator Pat Harrison.
There we're sharp words. Morris
sey caught Stephens by the Shout
ders. Stephens is cripple, but has
pair of strong arms. He choked his
antagonist.
Policemen, who finally got through
the crush, led Morrissey from the
hall. Only a few minutes later sew
eral young alternates decided to
6ake things in their own hands.
Picking up the standard, assigned
to the alternates, they started down
the center aisle.
Challenge Marchers
F.. G. Iathorne of HattieSburg,
Miss, a delegate, and his wife,
Joined by others, challenged this
show Of sentiment, and a free-for
all began over possession of the
standard.
Policemen finally got command
Of the situation, after Mrs.
Hathorne had lost her hat. Other
woman, not so bold, shrieked dur
ing the encounter.
At was a lady, am a lady, and
until Mississippi instructs me to
vote differently, I'll be against AL
ASmith, she said.
These fights were quite notice
able, but they were only sideline
encounters to the big show, the
tremendous Smith demonstration.
like private fights among the crowd
at a football game. That demon
stration was set off when Franklin
D. Roosevelt concluded his nom
mating speech with the words:
"The happy warrior-Alfred E.
Smith"
Sn0ILn nlOJ CLdAIS
James A. Farley, New York box
ing commissioner, sprang from his
seat at this, seized the State stand
ard, and marched down the hall. All
over the hall other banners rose into
the air. The grand march was on.
The band struck up 1.-THE Side
walks of New York" Around and
around the hilarious delegates
pranced, laughing and shouting.
There was movement toward
the side box where Mrs. Smith sat,
led by the Oklahoma City band,
playing Were For Al" Shouting
delegates gathered here.
Delegates Kiss Mrs. Smith
Two enthusiastic delegates in
sisted on kissing Mrs. Smith. Snlil-
ing and happy she shook hands
with numbers of elated delegates.
Her son and daughter sat beside
her, their faces shining with the
wonder of it all.
Wisconsin produced the prize
exhibit of the evening, sending
through the hall huge cardboard
replica of the capitol at Washing