Year: 1878

WORCESTER, MASS, Sept. lI.-lne De1nO-
cratic State Convention here to-day will
probably be attended with the greatest ex-
citement known in Worcester. There has
never been so great a crowd on the day be-
fore the Convention. The corridors of the
Bay State House are thronged, and the sit
uation is being excitedly discussed. Gen.
Butler and friends have secured all the par
lors and other rooms on the lower floor
Meetings in his favor were held at which
great enthusiasm was manifested, and it be-
came apparent to all early last evening that
Gen. Butler had large majority Of the
delegates, and his opponents were at first
ready to receive overtures for compro-
mise, but the terms were mutually unsatis-
factory, and before 9 o'clock the scheme
was abandoned and both factions resolved
on struggle for the mastery.


The excitement was increased by the ac-
ton of the State Central Committee, who
expelled j. B. Brainard.


The Butler men are talking of taking the
Convention by force. Forty policemen
were appointed and will be located on the
stairs and in the corridors of Mechanics
Hall, and twenty are stationed inside the
hall. All are fully armed and under orders
to act promptly and efficiently, and lively
work is apprehended by many.


1t is probable that General Whitney will
be chosen Chairman, according to the pro-
gramme of the Committee, which may give
the opponents of General Butler chance
to lead their forces to successful issue.


The action Of the Committee is char
acterized as high-handed outrage by the
Butler delegates, who are incensed and en-
ragged to the extreme. Still, so adroitly
have the Committee managed, they seem to
have the law on their side and the majority
can only triumph, perhaps through force.
No spectators will be admitted to the hall,
and no delegates unless they hold tickets
from the State Committee. No others will
be admitted except correspondents of news
papers.


At 1890 M the Chairmen of delegations
favorable to General Butler were called to-
gether, and David Farmers, of Springfield
announced that all the Butler delegates
meet at 8 o'clock this morning in Washing
ton Hall to determine their action.


MECHANICS HALL, WORCESTER, Mass, Sept.
17.-Before o'clock this morning some
three hundred Butler delegates were in the
hall, having come in gradually since 5
o'clock, at which time the rear door was
broken open, and entrance gained


AS soon as this was done the Butler dele
gates were quietly called from their beds,
and as soon as possible assembled at the
hall. The opponents knew nothing of this
movement until o'clock or later. The ru-
NOR was at first discredited but when found
to be true there was great astonishment and
indignation.


In the hall the assembly was addressed by
several gentlemen. Everything was order
ly and the remarks of the speakers We're at
10, tiVro1v Hpfn 70 A h.
urged the delegates to hold the hall against
everything except legal ejectment.


At 1925 a. m. Mayor Pratt entered the
hall, and ascending the platform, said,
Gentlemen, l have come to say to you
that you shall be protected in all your
rights by the municipal authorities of
Worcester. At the same time Worcester
expects of you that you shall maintain
the dignity, of the Democratic
party or of whatever party you claim to
represent I lam informed that this hall
was broken open this morning. By looking
at you l do not believe you sanction any
such proceedings came therefore to ask
you to vacate the hall. l will protect you
in all your rights by all the power of the
force Of the city"


Several of the delegates declared their
determination to hold the hall until dis
placed by force and to hold the civil author
tiles of Worcester responsible for any vio-
lence used, The Mayor said that he would
protect them in their legal rights.
He had been informed by the proprietors of
the hall that it had been engaged by the
Democratic State Central Committee, and
that no person had any right here except
those admitted by the Committees sane
tion. In the exercise of the duties of his
office he should be obliged to have the hall
vacated.


After further discussion the Mayor held
a consultation with several gentlemen in
the rear OF the platform, and then said: II
have required you to peaceably leave the
hall, and you have refused. | have now to
say you can remain" [Cheers for the
Mayor.]


A motion was made that committee of
six be stationed at each door, that the doors
be opened to all regularly accredited dele
gates on their credentials and none others
Another delegate moved that those also
who held tickets from the State Convention
be admitted.


This was discussed at considerable length.
and great deal of confusion ensued.
The opponents of General Butler are de-
termined to thwart the plan of his friends
TO carry the nomination by the majority of
the delegates present at all hazards


Their present programme is to meet in
another hall. call the meeting to order and
effect an adjournment, under some method,
to Faneuil Hail. Boston Those
now in Mechanics Hall, who are
neither allowed to 60 out or in without
pass from the Mayor, will be called to order
by member of the State Central Commit
tee at II o'clock, and proceed regularly to
the work Of a nominating convention.