Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1884-09-23

by Charles Howard. of Spink county,
Chas. w. Stough, of Hughes, presented,
and Eli Johuson, OF Hyde, seconded. the
nomination of Col. s. NJ. Laird, at this
city. When Lincoln county was reached
Judge j. NJ. Carter arose, and in a few |
we'll chosen words offered to tho conven.
tion the name of the man that,
by his gentlemanly bearing, had been
gaining friends from the moment OF
his arrival on the ground, and who was
destined to become the nominee OF the
convention. At the mention of Judge
Gifford's name there was loud and vocif-
erious cheering, that clearly indicated
the great popularity of the candidate.
This nomination was ably seconded by
James Bayrus, of Hanson.
The last name to be presented to the
convention was that of Samuel Nc
Masters, of the Black Hills. and hi5 gAuse
was ably championed by Judge Gideon
Q. Moody. of Lawrence. Judge Moody
took his seat at 1916 p. NJ, when the
convention took a recess for one hour.
The convention was called to order at
1865 p. m. It was moved by johnson, OF
Nickeus, that the convention proceed to
ballot for candidate to congress. The
motion prevailed, and the chair in
structed the secretary to call the roll of
counties.
Here follow the ballots, already pub.
llshed.
On the twelfth and last ballot the
Mellette men went to Clifford, and dur
ing the roll call there was scene OF the
widest confusion. Some county would
announce the change of Its votes to Glf-
ford or Raymond and the friends OF the
respective candidates oheered and yell
ed like pack If mad men: The chair
man pounded on his table and yelled
himself hoarse trying to secure order,
but in vain. Men stood upon chairs.
some with coats and hats of, yelling at
the tops of their voices, and it was i'm:
possible to ascertain with any degree OF
certainty the result as announced from
time to time by the chairman OF the
various delegations. First one county
would change to Clifford, then a county
would announce their vote changed to
Raymond, and for a time
it was impossible to tell what
would be the result. But when
the county of Lawrence with it's twenty
one votes, was announced, by Judge
Moody to change its vote from McMas
| eOAo " 0IAOlu, Guo 4say LAOuO oupPoAGOAs
lost their heart, and the Clifford mer
yelled and soreeched and threw theil
hats in the air, and the widest scene oi
the day was enacted. From this on the
changes to Clifford came in rapid sue
cession, but it was utterly impossible tc
keep record of the votes cast.
Finally quiet was restored, and the
chairman announced the result of the
last ballot, which was 173 for Raymond
and 222 for Clifford. It will be seen that
there is an error of three votes, but none
could question the result, and at 6:l5 p
m. the convention adjourned to meet al
the court. house In the evening to heal
the report of the committee on resolu.
tions.
After the announcement of the result
OF the last ballot, N. N. Tyner, of Fargo
stepped upon chair and stated, at the
request of John B. Raymond, he wonld
move that the convention make tie
nomination of Judge Clifford unanimous
which was accordingly done, after which
three cheers were given for the defeated
candidate. This has undoubtedly been
one of the most exciting conventions
and one Of the most bitterly contested
ever held in Dakota, and while there
was little bad blood aroused al
various times, it is due the members
which, as a body. will undoubtedly
bear favorable comparison, as regards
Intelligence and ability. with any like
gathering in this country, to say that
the final wind up of the business of the
lconvention was sconsummated in the best
of feeling with all factions.