Middletown transcript., 1886-08-19

convention not only because of his per
sonal appearance, but also on account
of his activity and the firm command
he evidently had of the Biggs forces.
He was the most prominent middle
aged man upon the floor who took ar
active part in the proceedings, and he
had for his lieutenants Mr.. John Biggs
and a number of young men who were
in every way able to second any move
he chose to make.
Upon the opposition side Mr.
L. G. Vandegrift, of Wilmington
gained much credit in fighting to the
finish what was apparent to all losing
battle from the start. On the Other
side Of the room in the Sussex delega.
tion, Mr.. D. T. Marvel contested with
no mean ability in the same interest.
In the Herbert delegation Mr. G.
H.McWhorter looked after the interests
of his candidate and defended the &C.
tion of the committee on credentials
which seated the Herbert men in the
Wilmington delegation.
Judging by those who took an ac-
tive part in the proceedings of the con-
vention, it was very apparent that the
young blood Of both wings of the Demo.
cracy was determined to assert itself.
= A great crowd of men who were
not members of the convention kept
the meeting in continual uproar and
even put measures and voted upon
them contrary to all precedent or right.
The chairman frequently threatened to
clear the hall if it was not stopped but
the policeman brave enough to enforce
the order appeared to be out of town.
= In conclusion it is but true to say
that the convention was on the whole
fairly conducted and the nomination
of Mr.. Biggs voiced the true senti-
ments of the convention, and as the
nominee of the convention he deserves
the support of the party regardless of
previous affiliation or faction.
After the ballots for Governor had
all been cast some wag in the rear part
of the room cried out watch that
hat" This was needless warning as
the eyes of all the convention were
upon it as well as those of the
tellers; and all of these eyes were re-
inforced by the four which Solicitor
Turner of Wilmington continually
carries about with him. He mounted
the reporters table, and at an angle
which presented converse view of his
anatomy to the reporters and which
threatened every minute to precipitate
his manly form into the midst of the
much watched hat and the counting
tellers, viewed with solemn mein the
last bubbles of the Herbert boom as it
sank beneath the rising tide which
bore Biggs on to victory.
= Barney's brass band scheme was
keen one, and when the convention be-
came too uproarious and noisy they
played one Of their most distracting Sc
lections. The delegates could stand any
amount of pulling and hauling and
sweating, and didn't care any more
for the chairman and his threats than
if he had not been there, but when Bar
ney turned his brass band loose they ca
pitulated in short order, the chairman
announced the next piece on the pro-
gram, and the convention went at it
again. We shudder to think of the
story we would have been called upon
to tell had Barney's band been left out,
but the band was there and. acted like
the proverbial "oil upon troubled
waters"
THE CANDIDATE AT HOME.
When the special train, which was
run north after the convention, had
reached Middletown a stop of fifty
was made, and headed by the
band the entire party of
delegates and townspeople marched
to Major Biggs' residence, where, after
and hand shakings,
The Democratic candidate for Governor
spoke as follows:
NY FsIloto Democrats thank you
for the distinguished honor you have
This day paid me. I thank you one
and all, my friends, for helping me to
win one of the greatest victories ever
fought in the State of Delaware.
There has been an effort put forth to |
letract from and down, as they said of |
ne, "t the long-haired ex-Congress-
nan !" but he fought the battle and |
le had some of the ablest lieutenants |
hat ever stood in the harness, and to-
lay you won it. In the combat some
we're Cochran, some Cooch and some
Herbert men, but now we are all Biggs
Democrats. Great applause
Yet, my friends, can say to you
With all sincerity of heart, that it mat
cred not to your humble servant what
7our verdict might have been, 1 would
ay to youas Ruth said to Naomi, 'syour
'eople shall be my people" and your
andidate shall be my candidate. ZAP
'lause. Now I will not detain you !;
presume your train is at the depot
ut for 80 years have marched under
he Democratic flag and never during
hat time has there been campaign
ut my voice has been heard from
to Sussex, from one end of
be State to the other, and when my
clip is needed my voice shall be heard
the undying doctrines of
he Democratic party. Applause
thank you for the honor you have
onferred upon me and just as SURE as
he night follows the day, just as sure
s the sun rises in the east and goes
own in the west I feel that, whatever
pposition may arise, you will give me
our votes and if am alive, as hope
} be, l will be the next executive
mcer of the State of Delaware. Zap
lause and cheers.
The upward-bound delegates then
ade the genial Major rousing good
ye, and returning to the depot,