Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-08-26
NORTH STATE JUDGES
woRv or THE DEMOCRATIC JUDICIAL
CONVENTION YESTERDAY.
Smith Renominated for Chief Justice-The
Friends Of the Old Court Triumph
News Notes.
,eroc,oi ,elegram to the Dispatch. !

RALEIGH, N. c., August 25.-Last
night there we're caucuses oil delegates
10 the State Convention. These did not
break up until midnight. The friends
Of the old court arranged plans for
pushipe Smith for Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court, feeling sure that If they
won. Justices Merrimon and Ashe
would be renominated also. The oppo-
nents of the old court arranged to nomi-
nate Merrimon for Chief Justice with a
view of exaltipg him and of thus get
ting new men in place OF Smith and
A he. Ii was almost impossible at
midnight to find how matters stood.
II was we'll understood that the test
vote would be the nomination for Chief
Justice. Both sides worked hard. Men
from the west agreed not to push Car
ter for Associate Justice until they got
Merrimon. By noon to-day, when the
State Democratic Judicial Convention
met at Metropolitan Hall, there were
about 300 delegates present, out Of a
total Of $50. All parts Of the State
we're represented. Richard Ii. Battle,
of Raleigh, called the body to order.
He is chairman Of the State Executive
Committee, and that is one Of his duties.
lie called to the chair as temporary
chairman S. B. Alexander, Of Meek
lenburg. Alexander made very neat
speech, which was we'll received. Com
mittees on Credentials, Permanent Or
ganization, and Platform were appoint
ed-one from each Of the nine dis
iricts-snd withdrew.
SPEECHES.
During their absence, which was pro-
lorgtd in the case Of the Committee on
there were speeches, very
patriotic and fervid, by Congressman
K. r. Bennett and Thomas G. Skinner,
A. NJ. Waddell, Of Wilmington; Oc-
tayius Coke, Of Raleigh; Duncan X.
McRae, of Wilmington Charles W.
McClammy, nominee for Congress in
the Third district; w. Ii. Kitchen, and
Governor Scales. The latter received
a regular ovation upon being escorted
to the platform. He made CAPT
tai speech, full of pride in the
Convention and in North Cardinals
prosperity. He spoke in the highest
terms of the State and its people, Of
what the State owed to the Democratic
party for its long years Of faithful work
in its political aud social regeneration.
He declared that by two of its acts
alone, il for no other, the Democratic
party had for all time endeAred itself
III the hearts Of all true North Caro-.
linians. These two were the county
government system and steps to rid the
State OF the incubus of the reconstruc-
ton measures. lie said that the coun-
ty government system, which must and
should be preserved, gave the control
of the State to the white people for all
time.
This was greeted with tumultous ap-
pleuse. Governor Scales is warm
and earnest advocate of the present
system of county government by
which magistrates are appointed by the
Legislature.
CREDENTIALS.
After an absence of over an hour the
Committee on Credentials reported. 1t
had had rather 6 lively session. It's
chairman, Hon. j. j. Davis, said it
found that Alexander, Clay, Harnett,
Haywood, Macon, Madison, and Ysncey
we're represented by proxies, and that
Allegheny, Brunswick, Caldwell,
Davie, Davidson, Lincoln, Polk, Ruth
trford. Surry, Swain, Transylvsnia,
Wataugs, Wilkes, and Yadkin were
unrepresented. Mr.. Davis said that as
to the admission Of proxies there were
two reports. Six Of the committee
thought they should be admitted, while
three thought they should not be adj
mitted. Right here lively scene be-
gan. Upon the question Of admission
of these proxies much depended.
They were with one exception from
beyond the Blue Ridge, and all for
Merrimon, it is thought. So it
was a test Of the comparative strength
of the Smith and Merrimon factions of
the Convention. The fight WAS pro-
longed; speech after speech was made.
The party platform does not permit
proxy votes, but it was urged by the
Merrimon men that in some cases this
rule should be departed from. The
Convention after awhile became noisy
and tired of so much speaking, and
shouted down all would-be speak ers.
Mr.. Davis, chairman OF the committee,
moved that the minority report dc.
cliniDg to seat proxies be adopted. 1t
was carried by 4094 TO 1894. There
was much cheering as this result was
announced.
ORGANIZATION.
+. S. Parker, Of Alamance, chairman
of the Committee on Permanent Organi-
zation, made the following report: For
Chairman, j. G. Buxton, Of Forsythe
Vice. Presidents-First district, j. j.
LaughiDghouse, Of Pitt; Second, +. A.
Woodland, of Wilson; Third, W. r.
Allen, of Wayne Fourth, O. NJ. Cook,
OF Franklin Fifth, A. II. A. Williams
Of Granville Sixth, j. T. Legraud
Seventh, G. S. Bradshaw, Of Randolph
Eighth, G. T. Bason, Of CASTOR Ninth
7. F. Davidson, OF Buncombe Secre.
tary, Josephus Daniels Assistant Sc
cretaries, members of the Democratic
press present.
This report WAS adopted by acciama'
ton, and Permanent-C Chairman Buxton
was heartily cheered as he took hi:
position. lie made an admirable
speech, brief and pointed. He said his
selection for such an honored position
was q compliment to the young Demo.
cracy of North Carolina and to the gal
liant and glorious Forsythe county. liz
paid the Democratic party glowing con-
pliments. lie said that the Republican
party, so long foe, no longer stand il
The way, and the success of the ticke
nominated was an assured fact.
RATIFIED.
Before proceeding to the nomination
Of justices of the Supreme Court thu
Convention, on motion Of Henry A
London, Of Pittsboro', by scclamatioI
ratified the nominations of Superior.
Nnmr. inhras ns nAha in the unrinn,