‘92 DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION : California Delegates at War in Trenches : Rift: Leaders try to stop skirmishes between Clinton camp and Brown supporters, without much luck.

Taken aback by surging chaos within the California delegation, the state’s Democratic leaders sought Tuesday to close a deep rift between backers of presumptive nominee Bill Clinton and die-hard supporters of insurgent Edmund G. (Jerry) Brown Jr.

But the task could prove a daunting one as Clinton delegates were left seething over “disruptive behavior” by Brown stalwarts, who in turn remained angry with the party’s resistance to giving the former California governor a formal speaking role at the convention without getting his endorsement of Clinton first.

Refusing to make that deal, Brown plans to speak tonight in Madison Square Garden during the time allotted to place his name in nomination.

A war of signs and chants erupted on the convention floor Tuesday night within the California delegation. New red signs with a simple “Brown” message sprouted, but countermoves by pro-Clinton forces, like the arrival of a large blue Clinton banner, obscured the Californians’ signs. The Brown crowd then produced their own, larger banner that was too big to conceal.

California delegates for Clinton were cautioned at a Tuesday breakfast session against responding to provocations from the Brown camp. One supporter warned his Clinton colleagues that “the Brown people are very antagonistic. We have to be cool.”

California delegation chairman John Garamendi, who has endorsed Clinton, agreed. “Yes, they’re looking for trouble,” he said.

But Garamendi later turned conciliatory before a gathering of the entire California contingent when he urged all delegates to “facilitate” future Brown demonstrations by keeping aisles clear on the convention floor. Then California Democratic Party Chairman Phil Angelides told Brown delegates: “You are the team we want. . . . Please be with us.”

Brown later gave a fiery speech at the California meeting, and his supporters roared with approval while Clinton delegates sat quietly.

“In a democracy, debate (and) vigorous, robust difference is healthy. What we want is not conformity, not uniformity, but unity based on the spirit of this party,” Brown said before exhorting his audience: “Stand up! Act up! Take back America!”

Party officials worry that the divisions between Clinton and Brown delegates in California could sidetrack the Democrats’ goal of capturing the nation’s biggest state in November.

“Understand the big picture,” Angelides said. “All the California delegates agree that George Bush and Dan Quayle brought a lot of misery to this country. We have (the rest of the week) to convince the Brown people to join our crusade.”

But several Brown delegates from California, sporting “Anything but Clinton” buttons, said they do not feel welcomed by the Clinton campaign.

Maria Chavarria, an insurance broker from Montebello attending her first convention, indicated she has little interest in supporting Clinton. “This is like an act in a play,” she said of the convention. “They’ve got their actors, their players and their plot. We’re not going to take this. We are sick and tired of not having a voice.”

Clinton delegate Dennis Herrera said he understands the Brown supporters’ desire to make a statement but wishes that they would be courteous.

“They’re just shouting everybody down, and that doesn’t promote unity,” said Herrera, a San Francisco attorney. “They shouldn’t be muted. They should be respected. But they should also be respectful.”

Herrera said he doubts that Brown followers ultimately will unite with the rest of the party. “I’m not that optimistic. Some may work reluctantly for the ticket . . . but I sense some resistance.”

The friction between the two sides goes well beyond their ideological differences. Many Brown delegates from California never have been politically active before. They came to New York committed to create change, if not havoc, and stand out here with their casual attire. Clinton delegates tend to be wealthier, content with routine convention proceedings and eager to celebrate the nomination of their candidate.

Beth Hanson, a Brown delegate from Marin County, said it is against her nature to jump up and down like a child and wave signs, a favorite convention activity. “I’m hoping I got off my couch for good reason,” Hanson said. “If everything has been decided here and I’m not going to count, I’m going to be mad as hell.”

Throughout the week, Brown delegates have expressed guilt over participating in corporate-sponsored events such as a California reception at Macy’s famed Seventh Avenue department store and an elaborate breakfast spread for the state delegation courtesy of Arco.

“It’s real phony,” said Dietrich Nicholson, a Brown delegate from Garden Grove. “There’s a lot of booze and food. . . . It really bothers you. The money that is being spent here is incredible. It is just a party.”

Times staff writers William J. Eaton, Stephanie Grace, Alan C. Miller, Susan Pinkus, Michael Ross, George Skelton and Tracy Wilkinson contributed to this story.