New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-13
GENERAL POLITICAL NEWS.
coNNECTICUT DEMOCRATS.
CHARLES /. MITCHELL OF NEw-HAvEN, NOMINATED
FOR CONGRESS IN THE lid DIsTRIcT-scHEMEs


NEw-HAvEN. Conn.,, Oct. 1.-THE Democratic
Congressional Convention held in this city to-day
recalls in some of its features rather notable con-
vention of the same party at Middletown fourteen
wears ago. On that occasion gentleman who had
made n very active canvass for the nomination and
been assured by 1.-THE boys" that he had sure
thing was not little surprised at finding when tine
votes were counted that he had only two votes
The surprise grew into uncOncealed amazemenb
however. as the delegates to the number OF nun
bred called on him afterward, each one Win inc
remark: lawfully sorry you were defeated Out
voted and did all could for you" 1t mixed MN
up SO that he never has been able to make up MS
mind who did actually cast the two votes Inc
outcome of tO-day's convention, in the Vote that
appeared for one two candidates, resemoied
somewhat the result that so bothered the candidate
of 1868 Two three respectable gentlemen IN thls
district have been hugging to their Dosoms ior sew
eral weeks the deuslve phantom that they were hoV
only candidates. but very formidable candidates
for the Congressional nomination. They are saved
the embarrassment, however, which the statesman
of the older period experienced IN trying to ac-
count for the votes cast for them as there weren't
any.
The convention was a long time settling prelimi-
nares and getting to its work, and during this
time three of the gentlemen who imagined them
selves candidates, to-wit, Mr.. Greene Kendrck, OF
Waterbury Mr. Charles Durand, of Derby and
Mr. Caleb b. Bowers, of this city. were exceedingly
busy Busy with the delegates, and somewhat
occupied with each other. Not in the selfish pur-
suit of vOtes-perish the thought!-Dut, as tne
event showed busy III last desperate eiort 10 save
the convention and the party from the Gluten OF
Mr. Charles L. Mitchell, who it was understood
had already secured a majority of the delegates.
Of these three, Mr. Durand was regularly elected
delegate from Derby-chosen, as he proudly sald'
by one of the handsomest conventions lie
ever saw in his life. Mr. Kendrick APP
peared az substitute for MlddleDury
delegate, and Mr.. Bowers roamed around
with an apparently undlsputed title 10
represent the ticket at large. Mr.. Bowers was es-
pecially active and pervaslye To casual observer
he seemed to be dong great deal more business
than all the rest of the convention put together.
Being unusually bald headed and very shiny at the
top-one of those heads that in Sunday-school
offer constant temptation to the uneasy small boy
TO shy a "spit-ball" at 1.-THE appearance of HIM
bobbing up and down in various parts of the hall
like yellow pumpkin in chop sea-lent pctur-
sequences and animation TO the scene. The queer
thing about this preternatural activity was that II
was only preparatory to the withdrawal OF his
name One cannot help wondering what he would
have done if he had been intending to stay in the
field as n candidate.
Prelminares having been concluded Colin NJ.
Ingersoll of New Haven. put Mr. Mitchell in nomi-
nation in u set speech, and the nomination was Sec
onded by WallngfOrd delegate. Then Mr.. Durand
took the floor and withdrew his own and the names
of Messrs Kendrick and Bowers, and offered
the name of Ex-Governor Charles Il. Inger-
soil. This was the card agreed on by the three
in ard m
well known that Governor Ingersoll would not
accept the nomination. or consent TO be candi-
date under any circumstances but the opponents of
Mitchell hoped to stampede the convention and
carry IngersolPs nomination by reclamation. Dlr.
Mills of New Haven, headed off the game by the
announcement that he would not ac-
cept Speeches were made by Alessrs. Bowers and
Kendrick urging the nomination of IDgersoll. but
carefully abstanng from criticism of Mitchell, or
of the methods by which il was charged that the
New-Haven delegation had been secured for him.
Mr. Hotchkiss, of New Haven. who
appeared as substitute for Kill
ngworth delegate, not so guarded in the
remarks with which he followed in opposition to
Mitchell This young gentleman took the bull by
the horns. He SAID that 1t was useless to attempt
to disguise the fact that there great dSsatislac
ton in New-llaven and Throughout the district
with the methods pursued by Mr.. Mitchelrs friends
Fraud was openly charged, and the
charge was so well .substantiated that
he mad no doubt Mr. MitehclPs nomination under
the circumstances would endanger the whole
ticket Mr. HotchHss spoke Mt considerable length
and was hnaly cOughed down.
Ills remarks brought out some of the Mitchell
men in reply, who defied anyone TO lay finger
upon questionable act of Mr.. Mitchell or his
friends. This brought out Mr. Durand, vino took
the floor aud distinctly charged that IN his own |
town of Derby he had proof that money had been |
put into five whiskey saloons for the purpose of
securing the nomination OF Mitchell. lilo did not
believe that Mitchell, II nominated, could carry
Waite bury. though that town was good for 900 |
Democratic majority; and the town of Derby, he |
was certain would bury him under not less than |
Speaker of the House of Representatives and
dldate for ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, and III crltciSng |
Mtchcl's youth and ineXperlence and lack OF |
statesmanship he INDUCED III vein of very lofty |
sarcasm. What the other antl-Alitchell speakers |
only intimated he broadly charged: that |
Mitchcl's only claim to the nomination was |
his wealth, and that lie or his friends |
had secured majority Of the delegates by the use |
of money. Both Mr. Durand and Mr.. Bowers take |
high ground with regard to the OF money in |
elections. Not but that both ale abundantly able |
to indulge in the practice themselves, but both
opposed to IT upon principle, and both are sutii- |
GENTLY conscious Of their own deserts to know that
nothing but the corrupt use of money could prevent
the people from rising up and calling them into The
public service.
All these unscfsh efforts to stay the tide of cor
ruptOn and prevent the nomination of a young man
who is rlcn but no statesman, came 10 naught Young
MI hlllS, inc plto'Hb lHio
prospective candidate for Mayor, who has the credit
of having conducted the Mitchell campaign, had
laid his plans too well 10 have them defeated, even
by the tactics ot Sprnglng Ex-Governor lhgersol as
q candidate upon the convention. Dat OF 102 votes
on the informal ballot Mr.. Mitchell had 49, and was
easily nominated.
There is undoubtedly great deal of dissatisfaction
in the party especially IN New-Haven, where fraud
in the election OF delegates Is charged The Register
Of this city openly expresses ITS dIscontent and II it
supports MtcheiPs candidacy ut all, will do it |
and under protest Mr. Mitchell him
sell is a popular and wealthy young man, who has
not heretofore been prominent or very active III
politics. Ii remains to be seen whether the disai-
lection will be sufficient to endanger his election IN
district which is ordinarily counted sure by the
Democrats. Much will d. pend on the Republican
nomination. OF thing may be sure, that
here will he no lack of funds on the Democratic