The worlds of Arthur Coia

...Coia's father, right in front of Ryan, called: "Other nominations?"
Ryan headed for a microphone, but someone swiped it.

"You little . . .," a delegate screamed. "Why don't you get the . . . out of here."

Someone stepped on Ryan's foot and shoved, and the beating started. At least 20 sergeants-at-arms and delegates, including two mob associates from Chicago, a witness recalls, jumped Ryan, beating and kicking him for several minutes in full view of thedais.

Coia shouted, "Will the delegate get to the microphone."

Bruised, his shirt ripped, a cut over his eye, Ryan fumbled for his glasses. Someone handed them to him. He straightened, limped to a microphone and looked Coia's father inthe eye.

"I wish to make a nomination for president," Ryan rasped. "I think it's time we returned to the tradition this union was founded on."

"Those last remarks are out of order," Coia's father said, according to Ryan.

The incumbent slate won,2,342 to 5....