The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-08-24
THE CONVENTION AN0 Ils NOMI-
Mex.

MEX.
After nearly three days of ballo,ing the
district convention has closed its labors.
Hoa. John Hancock, FIVE years Congress
man, entered the field against Seth Shep-
ard, and on the first day, of the convention
the latter gentleman was withdrswn and
Geo. P. Flnlay, of Gslveston, placed in
nomination. For over sixty ballots Fiplsy
led Hancock, on the first ballot turning the
majority, which between Shepard and Han
cock had been for the latter, for himself.
Finlay's highest vote reached q fraction
over 1877, and after balloting for more than
one whole day between these two candidates
Fnlsy's name was withdrawn, though he had
all the while had q majority, aud Seth
Sheprd's name was again brought before
the convention. From early Thursday
night until about eleven Friday morning,
with but about six hours for rest, these an
tagonists' names were kept before the con-
vention, Shepard all the time leading, and
coming at times within sixteen votes of OBJ
tanning the requisite two-thirds majority
1t had been the purpose of Hancock's
working friends to win by firing out the
convention, while a portion of them had
even mooted the question of defeating any
nomination, in view of Hancock's defeat;
but learning that some of his
staunchest supporters would not
follow in this wild and disgraceful move
ment, the proposition fell to the ground.
On Thursday night speeches were made.
Mr.. Mccormick, of Colorado, called, es-
pecially, on the Travis county delegation to
abandon Hancock, he being in a hopeless
minority, and TO assist in electing q man
who was, by large majority, the choice of
the convention. This appeal was answered
by Gen. Shelley with an eulogy upon Han
cock and defense of his record. Col
Jack, of Galveston, was then called out.
and, in his chaste and gentlemanly
style, made grand effort in be-
half of Mr.. Shepard. Major West,
of Travis, then took the flor and spoke
vehemently in regard to the claims of Han
cock upon the Democracy of Texas, saylng
many things that were true, but becoming
immoderate when he attempted to lead
people to believe that the great national
party expected and demanded Hsncock's
nomination, and that the success of that
party would be endangered in the event Of
his defeat. On Friday morning, about II
o'clock, after Hancock's defeat had been
made certain, and when patience
was about giving out, H4ncock's name was
withdrawn, and Hon. D. c. Giddings was
nominated. Major West, in withdrawing
Hancock's name, said he dld'it with a con
! sciousness that his defeat was severe blow
to the National Democratic party, and that
the people of Texas would live to repent
such action IN sackcloth and ashes, expires
sions which should be charitabIY looked
upon, when this gentleman's personal
friendship to Hancock is taken into consid-
Grafton.
Upon Giddings being nominated, Shepard
at once approached the rostrum, and in a
most manly style refused to longer remain
a candidate before the convention, thank
ing his adherents for their zeal, and ex-
pressing the wish that his friends, without
dissent, would cast their ballots for Gid
.dings. Finlay followed him in most
happy effort, and closed his speech with
the request that Col. Giddings be nomi-
mated Dy scclamation. The name of this
gentleman then went to the convention,
and he received its unanimous support.
Giddings was escorted to the rostrHm by
Shepard and Finlay, and introduced as the
nominee of the convention by the former
The nomination was accepted in briei
speech, in which Col. Giddings promised
to visit every county in his district, and tt
make vigorous canvass in furtherance o.
the great reform movement now going or
in these United States. Col. Giddings hal
been a member of Congress for two terms
He was first the opponent of Clarke, who
was given fraudulant certificate
of election, and whom Gliding
contested out of his seat; was re-
elected to the Forty-third Congress
and served as an able and fearless repre-
sentative of Texas. He has the confdenc,
of the people and will be elected by tel
thousand majority.