The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1888-09-12

The Democratic Congressional COnven-
ton.
The Democratic Congressional Conven-
ton for this 1.-THE FOURTH District, held
at bennington last Thursday, was proba-
bly, the most turbulent ever held 10 New
Jersey. The delegates assembled the
night previous, and the scheming and
wire-pulling that were done would aston
ish and shock any one unused to ''high
politics below stairs.
The principal trouble was about the
basis Of the call-it being upon the con-
gressional vote instead of the guberna-
torial. This, with the proposed displace
ment OF some of the delegates, led to a
hot war of words, and it looked at times
as though it would come to blows. The
lie was freely given and fists were shaken
under opponents noses aud general dis
position shown to chew up Que another.
Elk Congressman Harris made speech
opposing the displacement of james H.
Cailan, of this city, as recommended by
the committee on credentials, on the
claim Of illegal voting. If 1t threw out
one It also threw out the other delegate
from the same ward-Geo. Banchoff, Jr. !,
but the committee did not object to him,
ne being OF their faction. When Mr.,
Harris began to speak, there were yells
of "River and harbor bill l'' When "Tom"
Rays spoke, he was met by "Hurrah for
Capt. Van Blarcom % "Ches." Wolver.
ton attempted to say something, and he
was told to "Hurrah for Leon Albeit"
It was evident that the convention was
inclined to remember the irregular action
OF its prominent members.
All sorts of charges of trickery were
made. 1t was asserted that private
caucus OF one faction of the Warren dele
cation was held at 10 P. NJ. on Wednes.
day to select chairman, etc., and that
the call for the meeting was secretly post
ed up at 1890 to prevent the claim that
no notice was given. It was also charged
that delegates we're approached with offers
of money, aud that the votes of numerous
delegates In the convention were persist
emily recorded on tho opposite side from
which they intended them. Finally,
the congressional basis of representation
was adopted.
OF the afternoon convention the Bound
Brook Chroaicle says:
SAT 8 o'clock the convention again as
sembled, again there was an uproar over
accepting the report of the Committee
on Credentials. This report unseated
several anti Pidcock men, Robert john
son OF Newtown, member of the Ex-
ecutiye Committee, stated that the chang
ing OF the basis of representation was
done without his consent or the author
ity of the committee and produced the
original minutes Of the meeting held in
the Astsr House, New York. He and
the other members of the committee had
a hot discussion, in which every one re-
fused to father the new call. The re-
port of tho committee was declared
adopted by vote of 43 to 70. This was
the last straw Tor tue anti.fiucock men,
and, headed by Warren county, they
left the hall, many delegates attempting
to keep members in by main force. Then
came scene unlike any ever before
witnessed in any assembly. Men pushed
and hauled, the large audience yelled
and bedlam reigned. Finally per-
manent organization was effected, at
about $50 o'clock, and with the anti
Pidcock men largely out OF the way the
remaining delegates carried things along
more smoothly. Mr. Carpenter was made
permanent chairman, and as Mr.. La
Monte was obliged to leave for home
j. B. Belts Of SomeTville was made
secretary"
Nominations for Congressman were
then proceeded with. Hunterdon named
Samuel Fowler OF Sussex. Col. Van
Cleef for Somerset presented the name
of Joseph w. Ballantine, and H. M. I.
Beekman of Some rset nominated Charles
j. Roe of Sussex. Judge Samuel T.
Smith OF Sussex was also named, and
then Mr.. Ballantine's name was with.
drawn. The vote was as follows