Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-08-19
B. 7. BIGGS FOR GOVERNOR
JOHN ", PHsIEGr0E FOR REPRk-
sEETArIYB IN okGBEss.
A DEMOCRATIC "LovE-FEAST"
WRIOH WOULD HAVs BEEN BET-
TEX IN 0OOLEE REATHkR


rho msss Turbulent Democratic
stAso Convention HeId for Years
KBerbert's Good FighC--Ths Pro-
cecdinRs im Detail.
Tho Democratic State convention at
Dover, Tuesday, was ono of the most
remarkable gatherings Of the party ever
held in this State. In many respects il
resembled some of the memorable
Republican ''love feasts" held there,
though the disorderly proceed
ings were not no personal aud
threatening. The weather WINS intensely
hot and the more than 700 people who
squeezed themselves into the court house
auditorium, where the convention was
hold, obstructed the ventilation NJ win.
dows and doors, and rendered the room
like an oven. But the aweltering delegates
and spectators stood il like martyrs until
the main work of the conyention-the
nomination OF candidate for governor
was accomplished.
Hon. Benjamin Il. Biggswas nominated
for governor on the first ballot by l01
votes, and William Herbert, his chief
competitor, received 20 votes. The latter
combined all the opposition, except the
friends of DIR. Chandler, aud had the
combination been effected sooner he
might have won, by the doubtful Sussex
delegates who would have voted for the
acknowledged choice of New Castle
county. The Herbert forces were very
we'll worked, except towards the last. His
friends combined with the Biggs men to
secure the committee ON credentialB-
which resulted In giving Herbert four
votes and Biggs one out Of the Ave Viii.
mington contests--and then combined
with the opposition TO Biggs for votes in
the convention.
THE PROCEEDINGS.
Il wasonly few minutes past ~ when
the convention was called to order by
Robert j. Reynolds of the State central
committee, who nominated Wilbur Ii.
Burnite of Kent for temporary chairman,
John +. salisbury promptly moved to
amend by substituting the name OF
Robert ii. Davis of Sussex, and the first
fight opened. MIR. Saulsbury'g amend
ment received such n tremendous volume
of ayes that IL WAS instantly declared
adopted, as was also the motion as
amended and MIR. Davis took the chair.
As soon as Mr.. Davis had returned his
thanks for what he termed 'this I'M,
looked-for and unmerited HONOR John
Nj. Newell arose with motion that
committee on credentials, composed OF
Ave from each county, be appointed by
the chair. David Il. Marvel of Sussex
county promptly met it with an amend.
ment for the county delegations to retire
and choose all committees in caucus.
Both sides squared themselves for
fight, which, however, was put of awhile
longer by Wilbur II. Burnite's suggestion
that the temporary organization was moi
yet complete.
Then Benjamin J. Moore of Sussex, W.
Polk Cummins of Kent and John Il.
Dickey of New Castle, were named for
secretaries. The first two were accepted
without q murmur, but when Dickey was
named the Herbert and Biggs mengreeted
il with q storm of noes Charles IL.
McWhorter said it was not advisable to
make On officer OF delegate whose seat
was contested, and L. @. Nandegrift said
Mr.. Dickey had his credentials, signed by
all the judges of the election.
John #. Salisbury said that according
TO the published reports of the delegate
election Mr.. Yandegrift was not dele
gate, and it looked Ms though outsiders
were trying to run the convention. Mr..
Vandegrift said he had his credentials in
his pocket.
During this confab p. A. Horty of the
Eighth ward, Wilmington, was success
aively named by John NJ Newell, John
Biggs and John II. salisbury as secretary
for New Castle county. MIR. yandegnfi
called for the ayes and nays on his cleo
ton, but the chairman said there could bt
no roll call at this time. Mr.. Horty wai
then elected.
DIR. l. s. VallRndieham of New Castle
Robert IL. Hill OF Kent md /. N. FookI
of Sussex were named for vice presidents
after which MIR. Newell renewed hii
motion for the appointment Of the com
mittee on credentials by the chair. MIR
Vandegrift moved to adjourn, but Chair
man Davis put the question on Mr.
Newell's motion, which was adopted will
n rush.
Then John Il. Salisbury moved that
committee of five from each county, OF
resolutions, be named by the chair, bu
the fight that did not get chance u
fairly open on the motion for the fa
more important committee commenced
in earnest. David II. Marvel renewed hi
amendment for the county delegations u
retire and caucus for committees, ant
said they wanted no snap judgment
John f. replied 1--WE havea chairman VIII
will appoint fair committees, and W
wnnt only fairness" For few minute
confusion reigned supreme and nothinI
was done. John Mitch Houston engage
in an earnest confidential confab with til
ahas Ia nj Knnf0
wildly opposed the motion. William Cooel
brother OF CandidateJ Wilkins Cooch, il
dignantly resented the proposition TO pt
so much power in the chairman's hand
"Why,n ne said, ''you might rs well hay
the chairman name the candidate fc
governor"
John b. Pennington, Esq, finally can
TO the rescue and took the bowildert
and helpless chairman back of the stat
wings, where he and others tried to pc
him. Pennington returned andannounct
that the chairman would put
question until quiet was restored, but
was not until the band struck up tut
that the confusion subsidized. But st
the perturbed chairman was unequal
the occasion, and Mr.. Pennington, Wand
GRIT and several others crowded aroui
him, until some yelled out, show maj
chairman have WEI" Finally Thorn
Davis, the chairman's son, CAME to :
rescue with paper bearing the names
the committee on credentials and the su
gestion that now would be good time
announce 1t. This was done MS follow
New Castle county--John M. Newe
James L. Shallcross, John Townsen
Robert @. Justis, John l. Boyle.
Kent Il. Il. Cooper, A. II. 0aha
Peter Il Meredith, Edgar Maloney, 10
y. Harrington.
Sussex-A. j. Horsey, W. r. MeGal
l. N. Fooks, William Reynolds, john
b Mustard.
Immediately afterwards John = Sau
bury moved for recess of an hour, |
Immediately Withdrew it. b. b. AL
renewed the motion at once, md on
vote il was declared lost. Tleu mt
confusion, yell ng aud shouting ensu'
neither side knowing exactly what 10
Finally Senator McWhOrter moved,
order TO have time to arrive Mt deiir
conclusion. Tint u recess of one hour
taken. From the great volume OF n
that greeted the motion IL was evidentt
the temper of the convention was
favor Of staying to fight it ont, but
chairman declared the motion carr
and the room was soon empty.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
AT 2 o'clock the convention was cal
TO order, with the same sulfocating Gre
That attended the first session The
port of the committee on credentials
presented by Chairman Newell and =
...s