Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1891-08-13
DEMOCRATIC P0W-W0W.
A Tame Convention at Martins Ferry
Names a Ticket,
Which the Republicans will Knock Out in
November Little Interet Taken.
Full Proceedings.

THE TICKET.
, Representative-ISaa p Myers.
| TTeasurer-AlOnZO Grouse.
Observation-Disclosures Murphy.
Infrmary Director-John Caldwell.
The Democratic County Convention
met in the Opera House at Martins
Ferry on Tuesday. AT 11:30 O'Clock
Chairman Milligan, of the county com
mittee, called the scattered few cOmpos-
ing the convention to order, and an
nounced the selection of W. b. Francis,
Esq, of Martins Ferry, as temporary
chairman, and haywood FOrsythe, of
Blaine, as temporary secretary. When
called to order the delegates were ex-
ceedingly scarce, one or two here and
there to indicate where the township
representation should be, while spectators
were still fewer.
In accordance with custom, the tenn
pOrary chairman was privately announced
to be a second David, cooked and primed
with facts and figures to slay the
Republican GOliah. But such impression
was entirely erroneous. The chairman
thought he was going to make speech,
but when he got upon the floor he
changed his mind In the course of the few
puerile remarks he did make, he referred
to the Farmers Alliance as an interme
diate state in passing from the Repub-
lican to the Democratic party. His
speech was as poor an effort as could
have been made by any one, and surprise
and chagrin were depicted on the coun-
tenances of his hearers. But the man
deserved pity rather than derision, for
he did the best he could. The usual
committees were appointed, after which
the convention adjourned for dinner.
Upon reaSsembling in the afternoon
all the townships were represented, but
still few of the delegations were complete.
The committee on permanent organiza
tion recommended Hon. Ross j. Alexan
der for permanent chairman, named a
haIf-dozen Vice Presidents, and for
Secretary J. G. Bethel, of Flushing town
ship, was chosen, with r. c. Meyer, of
Bellaire, as assistant. Mr.. Alexander
attempted to put some life in the con-
vention which had hitherto been ex-
ceedingly tame and harmonious. He got
off the same speech that he did at
Bellaire two years ago, except for such |
changes as time works on a venerable
effort. His speech possessed considera-
BILE vim, but he could not enthuse the
convention to any extent, although they |
once or twice broke out in weak round
of applause. He dwelt long upon the
tariff,, on national affairs, and abont |
everything else Democratic orators usu-
ally rant over. His speech was probably |
as good as could have been made, but |
there being nothing tangible in sight to
gloat over, the convention did not |
enthuse.
The committee on resolutions reported, |
indorsing the platform of the state con-
vention, the CARRIER fee and salary bill,
and the kangaroo election law. Their
report was adopted.
Nominations were then declared in or
der, and Representative was first in order.
On call of the townships, NJ. Huffman,
of Pultney, placed in nomination Isaac
2. Myers, of Mead. There being no other
candidates, Mr.. Myers was put through
by reclamation. A committee was ap-
pointed to hunt up Mr.. Myers, who, when
brought in, thanked the convention for
honor.
For Treasurer W. L. Kinsey, of Coler-
ain, Robert H. Clayland, of Pease, Alonzo
Grouse, of Pultney, and James Lyle, of
Wheeling, were named Mr.. Clayland
rose and thanked the convention, but de-
clined to be again defeated. A ballot
resulted as follows: Kinsey 15, Lyle 3,
Clayland 10, Grouse So. Grouse was de-
clared the nominee.
For Commissioner two names were
presented. Lafayette Murphy, of Kirk
wook, and Evans Dermott, of Goshen.
On ballot Murphy received GA votes to
Dermott's 10.
For Infrmary Director John Caldwell,
of Wheeling, was put through by accla-
nation. The convention then called for
Grouse, who is unknown out of his own
school district, and he was stood upon
the platform. After taking look at
him, the convention adjourned.
sTRAGGLING NOTES.
The features of the convention were
the speeches of w. B. Francis and John
Patterson.
After the convention settled down in
the afternoon, the delegates, spectators,
Democrats and Republicans, all told,
numbered only 1853.
There was no contest for anything, and
candidates had to be cOaxed.
Myers, Murphy and Caldwell are farm
ers; Grouse is country school teacher.
Any Democrat could have had an Office
for the asking
j. G. Taggart pledged the vote of the
Belmont county teachers to Grouse. Will
he be able to deliver his goods?
Not a portrait of Cleveland or Camp
bell appeared. Why the omission?
The candidates appeared to feel as
lambs being led to slaughter. They were
meek, and no one made speech. 1t was
perhaps the tamest convention ever held
in the county.