The Wilmingtonian., 1886-06-05
The New Castle Convention.


noisness. Like all genuine democratic
meetings the rule was straight talk and nc
quarter given. 1t was war TO the knife
while the discussion lasted but afterwards
there was plenty of evidence of good feeling
all around.
The great County Convention Of Saturday
last has made record for itself in the polit-
cal annals of New Castle County that never
can be forgotten,
It was the first overt, definite, occasion
when the democratic rank and file unani-
mously set its foot down and said to the
politicians thus far, and no farthern The
20h of May, 1886 was the dawn of political
enfranchisement from the subtle machina-
tions of the powerful Cochran-Bayard-
Gray ring.
The doings of that day have been pretty
fairly recorded by the daily press, and su-
perficial statement of the actual record is all
that is needed as an Introduction to its inner
history.
The meeting was called to order by the re-
tiring chairman Polk Silver. He asked that
the old county executive committee
retire and report.i Subsequent to their
sending in statement that all matters had
been squared mp the chair announced that
what was now in order was the election of
permanent officers. Charles H, McWhorter
moved that Harry Sharpley, Esq, be made
permanent chairman. The motion was re-
ceived with a volume of vociferous endorse
ment absolutely deafening. Whatever may
have been the cause of such demonstration
is not stated, the simple fact is that it was
so overwhelming that its sheer strength
and volume fairly annihilated all sembance
of opposition. The demonstration taught
a lesson and struck terror into the hearts of
its opponents.
Harry A. Nowand rose to point Of order
aud said that he came to the meeting as a
democrat not in the interest of Herbert,
Biggs, or Cochran-a statement that was
received with deiisive jeers. He asked that
the committue proceed according to the old
order of things, that it adhere to the old
usages aud customs, and allow the chair to
name a committee who should retire and
report officers for the permanent organiza-
tion. The point of order was sustained by
the chair. Hewsou f. Lannon then made
an am monelncnt 20 state senator MGwhofter's
motion to the effect that the chair appoint
the committee. Mr.. McWhorter spraug to
his feet, obtained recognition, and With eyes
flashing with indignation addressed the
noisy meeting. In moment all was quiet
81 do not yield one jot," he said, and as
be spoke every eye in the vast audience
tensely watched him as if for some signif-
cant develop ment, II yield not one jot of
my democracy to the gentleman who has
preceded me, recognize the old customs,
but this is a sovereign convention of demo-
Gratis, a committee of the whole County
bound in no way hy such usages. The only
committee who should decide who should
be their chairman, the presiding officer Of
this convention, is the committee of all the
democrats l see before me. desire to see
that this convention resolve itself iLt) a
committee of the whole aud say who they
would have to preside over them. do not
propose to have the gentleman pull from his
pocket slate all cut and dried, stereotyped
list of names, and have it thrust upon this
convention without their right to say, oil
any opportunity given them to exercise
that right of choice of presiding officer ~
These words were the keynote, the identi-
cal thoughts filling the minds Of the maiori
ty and their timely expression by Mr.
McWhorter was the match that ignited q
thunder-burst of applause. There was nc
mistaking the minds Of the vast majority oi
those present. They vehemently objected
to any slate made up at the Delaware HOUSE
in Wilmington Friday night or the newborn
one Just freshly Matched at the G lpin House
aud clandestiney introduced into the con.
vention but short hour before its being
called to order.
This was another blow against the County
Court House ring. Itfell like thunderbolt
upon the managers whose faces plainly told
the effect it had upon them. They did moi
loo!, happy, were not 50 genial, aud became
serious and quiet.
The chair then put Mr.. Lennan's amend
ment, which, in the presence of the recen
demonstration fell ii Torn The bott n
had fallen effectually out of the Court Hous,
Ring barrel Il was burst completely.
Then Senator McWhorter's original mo
tion that the convention proceed to elect itl
chairman was put The audience was in nj
humor for anything else ami in true demo
cratic jubation enjoyed itself, luxuriating
in a continuation of noisy e5ullitions owe
the election of Harry Sharpley, E;q, fo
| L..