Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 77, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 May 1904 — INDIANA DEMOCRATS [ARTICLE]

INDIANA DEMOCRATS

MEET IN INDIANAPOLIS AND INDORSE PARKER. In the Preliminary District Organizations the New Yorker Carried AlFtho Districts but the 12th-State Ticket to Be Named on July 20. Indianapolis correspondence: The first session of the Indiana Dem-ocratic-convention was called to order Thursday by State Chairman O’Brien. The platform will be adopted and a State ticket nominated at another session to be held July 20. The contest Thursday was for control of the delfc gates to the national convention. The hall was crowded when the convention opened. Prominent Democrats occupied the stage. There was a demonstration while the delegates were being seated. State Chairman O’Brien called the conception to order and the majority report of _tlie_committeeon. permanent organization was read by C. G. Matson, of Greehcastle. It recommended Alonzo Green Smith, of Indianapolis, for chairman, and L. G. Ellingham, of Decatur, for secretary. A minority report of the committee was read by John H. Aiken, of the twelfth district. There xyas a demonstration when Mr. Aiken took the platform, The chair announced that the first question to be settled would be the organization of the convention, and no recommendations for delegates at large would be read till the convention was organized. An effort was made by the Ilearst following, to appeal from the chair, but the chair announced there would be no appeal or point of order allowed till the convention was organized. There was great confusion, but the chair refused to recognize anyone, and Mr. Aiken moved the adoption of the minority report, which recommended Judge James McCabe, of AVilliamsport, for chairman. On this a call of counties was ordered. This brought out the first test of strength. The vote resulted for adopting the minority report, 4GB 1-3; against 1,094 2-3. There was great confusion while the vote was being counted. When the vote was announced Chairman O'Brien at once declared Mr. Smith elected. Mr. Smith addressed the convention.

Text of the Resolutions. These resolutions wore then presented: Whereas, The state convention for the nomination of the state ticket, and the adoption of a platform, is called to meet on the 20th of July next; therefore, be it Resolved, That all questions relating to platform properly belong to that convention, and are hereby referred thereto. Recognizing the fitness, ability and party loyalty of Alton B. Parker of New York to be selected as the standard bearer of the Democratic party in the United States, the Democrats "of Indianal hereby resolve that the delegates selected by this convention to the national convention at St. Louis are instructed to cast the vote of this state as a unit for that distinguished jurist, Alton B. Parker. Resolved, That the delegates from this state to the Democratic national convention vote, ns a unit, on all matters coming before the convention in such manner as the majority of said delegates may determine. Resolved, That the delegates from tills state be and are hereby directed to choose Thomas Taggart as member of the Democratic national committee for the State of Indiana, and that this convention commends him to the favorable consideration of said committee as a gentleman iu every -way —qualified to servo the party efficiently in the capacity of its chairman. The Parker forces had everything their own way in the convention. They elected the delegates at large named below nnd so managed their majority that Instructions for their favorite were secured aud the minority did not bolt. The greatest demonstration of the day was over George B. McClellan, Mayor of New York City. John R. East, a delegate from Monroe County, iu addressing the convention declared that he had come to the convention to vote for one Hearst delegate and one Parker delegate, and he did not believe either of them would be nominated. “Personally,” be said, “I am for George B. McClellan, God bless him. I cast my first vote for his father in 1804, and I would like to vote for the son.” The mention of McClellan's name acted like magic on the convention. Delegates In all parts of the hall rose, swung their lints, cheered and cheered. Ladles in the balconies caught the enthusiasm and waved their faus, and the delegates continued the cheering as Chairman Smith rapped In vain for order. The Nntionnl delegates ot large nre: W. H. O’Brien, J. W. Kern, B. F. Shively, G. V. Menzies.