New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-12-11
A DEMOCRATIC FAMILY QUARREL.
WHY DAVID A. WELLS WAS NOT NOMINATED FOR
CONGRFssMAN IL CONNECrICTr.

n
CONGRESSMAN II CONNECTICUT.
fFROM Az OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.
HARTFORD. Dec. 1O.-A Democrat of Eastern
Connecticut who has had positions of prominence in his
party expressed his mind freely to day upon the course
taken by the Democratic leaders in this state during the
late campaign and emphasized his criticism by showing
how David \. Wells was treated It was Substantially
settled that Mr. Wells should receive the Democratic
nomination for Congress In the INA District lie
willing 70 he the candidate, and the preliminary details
to control the action Of the nominating convention were
left 10 John l. Hunter, NJ Wlmaniic. A campaign "
lively interest projected Mr.. Wells wa' to be ac
COMMANDED In stumping tour by reporter who wa to
telegraph All speeches In fun to New-Nork
daily. copies vt which to- be distributed by whole
sale throughout the district Henry ward beccher had
been seen ani h. had agreed make three speeches
with Nr Wes. Pc sona who weir Interested n Nj
Woilss surrpss, having received benefits FROM hs nl
Vice taiiuna subjects "ptpptt hal guaranteed
npamrnigh fini rf At past finunp "thru-h NJ Nrll9
himsaif had no knowledge ~ ihis tact"
II wa proposed to arph tha bah Ia Nillimahtia, ani
Mr iiantpr oana 80 Hartford o. invite " " Baton IT,
asslit at tho meeting. to hla sutpriae, Mr Eaton
declared that the nomination of Mr Wells for opugress
wmid ,alh the nomnat a'la parry "a vnhheaStlenL AZ
substance "pny proposes tu dinnsa the tAlh question
upon the declaration of the chicago platform
a Ar restricted 10 the actual .ossos Of the Govern
ment economically administered maj i whete ny
Democratic party stands" But" Mr. LalOn replied
IL won him candidate, because lac viii Do
called froe-trader" Then Mr. Hunter went on
lie stands where you aud have always
stood" ami he called tn mind conversation
he had with Mr.. Eaton ia 1874, when that gentleman
"A candidate for United States senator and was OPP
posed by v iam H. Barnuin. Mr. Hunter was then
member OF te Democratic state Committed most 0t the
members OF which were supporting Barnum. Mr. Eaton
met him and said: Hunter, you are not going back
upon me, YOU YOu know Birnum Is wrong on the
tariff question lie believes In prOtection You and !
believe In tariff" understand it,
Hunter replied, land IL is because you are
right that question and Barnum wrong
that I shall support you" Mr. Hunter was
naturally surprised hear his Old friend cbjeoting 10
David A Wells but he concluded that Mr. Eaton cared
about his own Congressional prospects In strong
protection district than for the tarlil PROOF con.
When Mr.. Hunter arrived home he was be.ieged with
letters from many anxious Democrats urging him to
keep Mr.. Wells out OF the old because the party was
trying 10 play protection. By disappearing the true
character of the Chicago platform and IL wouldn't do to
have the truth told by CauIidtto upon the stump
At last Governor Waller got excited and he posted
Norwich In hot haste. met Mr. Hunter by appointment
aud declared that all would he lost n Mr. Wells was put
the held the Governor begged that the programme
might be hanged. aud suggested that he woud make II
ali rl.iit FOR Ir Wells by inviting him To address meet
in I'm New London where he could make Just such speech
hc desired but the nOted ccOnO INST never received
the invitation Mr.. Hunter 80 much bcsct that he
became peTac finally abandoned the contest win
Mr. Weiss consent. Nj B'echer informed that
procession had been given and the can sup'eio-
10 the enterprise probably poc@oted thr shsAe.''
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