REPUBLICAN PARTY OF TEXAS 
 The First 50 Years

WACO, March 6 and 7

The convention opened with a contest between William M. McDonald and Henry C. Ferguson for the temporary chairman- ship. The two negroes were political rivals. The State execu tive committee nominated McDonald. There was so much con- fusion during the roll call that each side claimed the election. Chairman Green declared McDonald elected. After perfecting temporary organization the convention adjourned.

The Ferguson supporters held a caucus and, when the con vention reassembled next morning, announced that he had been elected temporary chairman. Amid much confusion, McDonald announced the usual committees, some one moved to adjourn, and the convention was declared adjourned until one o'clock. The Ferguson faction, however, continued in session The Mc Donald supporters were obliged to postpone the closing session from 1 to 7 o'clock, as they could not get possession of the hall.

Officers: Chairman pro tempore, William M. McDonald, of Kaufman; permanent, J. G. Lowden, of Taylor. Secretary pro tempore, D. C. Kolp, of Wichita; permanent, Dr. J. M. Moseley, of Grayson.

Delegates to the National Convention: State at large, E. H. R. Green, R. B. Hawley, William M. McDonald, M. M. Rogers.

Presidential Electors: State at large, Edwin H. Terrell, of Bexar, and W. H. Love, of Collin.

Committee on Platform and Resolutions: Alex White, of Grimes; William McZeal, of Orange; E. D. Baptist, of Gass: E. J. E. Pearson, of Upshur; J. T. Harris, of Cooke; B. R. Bluitt, of Dallas ; A. H. Caldwell, of Brazos, chairman ; W. H. Catts, of Hood; A. L. Maynard, of Caldwell; A. Barber, of Galveston; Theo. Baughman, of Victoria; Dr. Fred Terrell, of Bexar; W. B. Worsham, of Clay.

PLATFORM 

Be it resolved by the Republicans of the State of Texas, in convention assembled:

1. That we point with pride to the wise and patriotic administra tion of our distinguished President, William McKinley, in its conduct of the late war with Spain, in the settlement of the results of that war, set forth in the treaty of peace, and in the various public questions which have required solution.

2. We approve of the broad statesmanship and the eminent patriot ism shown in the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines, and feel confident that the course pursued by the ad- ministration in all of our great questions will be confirmed by the people at the polls next November.

3. We most cordially indorse the financial legislation now being carried through Congress by the Republican party, and hail it as settling for many years to come the grave financial questions, which have so troubled and vexed the commercial life of the country.

4. We most cordially indorse the public services and party manage ment of the Hon. E. H. R. Green, as chairman of the State executive committee, and the eminent course and public services of the Hon. R. B. Hawley, as the Republican member of Congress in this State.

Additional Resolutions

[5] A resolution favoring an appropriation to secure navigation of the Brazos.

[6] Another resolution denounced the dominant faction of the De mocracy and advocated a coalition with, all who desire to compass the defeat of that faction, and called for a State conference to discuss this combination.