Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1870-09-23
The Democratic.Co Nominating
Convention for the Fifth Congressional
District OF Maryland.

The Democratic Conservative Convention for
the Fifth Congressional District of Maryland,
composed of the counties of Anne Arundel,
Calvert Charles, Howard Montgomery, Prince
Georges, St. Mary's and the First, Second,
Third, Fourth, Eighth and Thirteenth districts
of Baltimore county, was held on Thursday
morning, the 18th inst, at Ellicott City.
Much interest was feltin the proceedings and
result by the friends Of the several gentlemen
whose claims it was known would be presented
by the different delegations. Before the assem-
bling of the Convention it was evident, from
the consultations of the delegations, that the
rival candidates would be warmly supported by
their friends.
The Convention met at II O. clock in the Town
Hail. and was called to order by Major Sprigg
Harwood, of Anne Arundel, who nominated
Mr.. A. 7. Dove, of Montgomery, as temporary
Chairman. Mr.. Dove was chosen without OPP
position. He thanked the Convention for the
honor conferred upon him. and made few per-
tinent remarks as to the object of the Conven-
ton and the Importance of harmony.
Mr.. E. B. Du Val, of Prince Georges, was
elected temporary Secretary.
DR.. Maclin, of Howard, moved that each del
egation appoint one of their members to COM
pose a committee ON credentials.
On motion the committee received permission
to withdraw.
Mr.. Poteet of Baltimore county, moved that,
in the absence of the committee, Hon. Barnes
Compton, of Charles, be requested to address
the Convention.
Mr.. Compton addressed the Convention as
follows:
Fellow Democrats We stand conservative,
in convention assembled The enemies we OPP
pose fight for power and partisan rule; the De-
mocratic party for its country, law and its
rights. 1t cannot fail if true to itself and its
trust. The bow Of party triumph from the
North cheers US, and the South is about to re-
assert herself. We can hope for the best. The
Democratic party has glorious record in old
Maryland. We have. as much at stake as any,
cd we must make desperate fight. have
heard mutterings of dependency, but do not
despond. We have justice and right on our
side, and the people of this Commonwealth can
never sell their birth-right for mess of pot
tage. The first blow tells in the battle.
We inaugurate to-day our campaign. Let
one purpose rule; discard all personal prefer
ences and inscribe upon your banner the name
which will most certainly lead to victory. We
have vast interests at stake. Great questions
affecting the well-being of your homes and your
dearest rights have arisen. No Democrat can
lower the standard of his principles or sacrifice
his self-respect, but the duty devolves upon us
and reason calmly and conscientiously the is
sues of this contest. believe we shall triumph,
for right must and will prevail. But fellow
Democrats, organization should beyour deter
minatioi. The Democratic party of this State
must not, as in tire past, simply trust to nom
mating conventions, but organize county and
district clubs, and through the instrumentallty
of such organizations win the victory.
Mr.. Compton returned thanks to the Con
vention for the attention paid him, and yielded
the floor in favor of Mr.. James s. Franklin, of
Anne Arundel, who proceeded to address the
Convention.
organization. : Times have changed. A nigh
ty revolution has sw5pt over the land and a
class of xoters once Co serfs have been ele-
= ID = Z 3efal COWS to- yealf equals 81
| the ballot-box. The aim of the party we fight
is power, and they will not scruple to use every
| means to gain it. Let US determine calmly and
conscientiously upon the man of our choice and
give him our whole support. He had his pre-
ference, but would zealously sustain the nomi-
nee of the Convention. He would trust fully
in that nominee, for he felt sure he would be
true to Maryland and his party.
The committee on officers of the Convention
| returned and made the following nominations
Mr.. W. T. Dove, of Montgomery, Chairman
Il. ID. . =
| The nominations were unanimously confirmed
Mr.. Dove returned thanks for the honor the
Convention had paid him, and promised tt
faithfully perform the duties assigned him.
| Mr.. Fowler, of Baltimore county, moved thai
| the Convention proceed to nominate candidates
and, on motion, it was agreed to vote viva
| voce.
| Mr. Thomas H. Hunt, of Howard, nominated
Hon. VIM. Merrick.
Mr.. Baker A. Jamison, of St. Mary's, nomi
mated Benz. G. Harris, and in brief but elo
quent address presented to the Convention TIT
claims of that gentleman.
! Mr.. Poteet, of Baltimore county, nominated
Hon. John Wethered, war-horse of Democra
cy and true and tried statesman.
Mr.. Fowler, of Baltimore county, moved tina
the Convention proceed to ballot for the candi
dates in nomination. Not agreed to.
Mr.. Riggs, of Montgomery, nominated Col
George Peter.
Mr. Franklin, of Anne Arundel, nominated
Mr.. Eli J. Henkle.
Mr.. Fowler, of Baltimore county, moved tha
nominations be closed in ten minutes to expe
dite the business of the Convention. 1t was
not sustained, and was withdrawn.
Mr.. Loker, of St. Mary's, moved that thu
Convention proceed to ballot. Not agreed to
Mr.. Price, of Charles, nominated Hon. Fred /
Stone.
! Colonel R. T. Wootten, of Prince Georges
nominated Hon. Daniel Clarke.
A motion to close nominations being oppos
! ed, was withdrawn
| 1t was moved and agreed to that majority
of the entire delegation be necessary to nomi
nate candidate. The Chair announced thai
there were % delegates present, and that II
votes were necessary to a choice OF a nominee
| The Convention then proceeded to ballot
The first, second and third ballots resulted ir
each as follows Merrick 3; Clark 4; Henkle 4
Stone 4; Harris 3; Peter and Wethered A.
The balloting continued, and Harris received
IL votes on the seventeenth ballot; on thu
twenty-fourth ballot Peter received 9 votes.
| After this ballot Mr.. Fowler renewed his mo-
ton for recess of thirty minutes, and it wa:
agreed to.
! Upon the reassembling of the Convention
Mr.. Parran, of Calvert, nominated Col. JAIME:
T. Briscoe. Col. Briscoe received eleven vote:
on the twenty-seventh ballot, and led on the
twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth ballots.
A motion by Mr.. Starr, of Baltimore county
to drop the name of the candidate receiving thu
| lowest vote was not sustained.
Balloting continued without result, and wher
the Convention adjourned, at 4:15 p. m, thu
vote on the thirty-eighth ballot stood as fol
lows: Merrick 5; Clark 6; Harris 3; Peter 4
and Briscoe 10.
A motion to adjourn to Baltimore city wa:
carried-yeas ls, nays 10.
| SECOND DAY.
The Convention reassembled at IL O'Clock
on Friday, at Rechabite Hall, in Baltimore, W
T. Dove, Esq, of Montgomery, President, II
the chair. The roll was called and all the del
egates found to be present.
On the thirty-ninth ballot the counties voted
as follows: Howard, for Merrick; Prince
] Georges, 4 for Clarke; Anne Arundel fol