Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-10-10

county delegation legally organized.
Mr.. Brent asked by what right the
chairman made the ruling that the
county was not property represented
in the convention. He held that the
convention should decide that matter.
Mr.. Harlow moved to adjourn and
that the county be requested to elect
three delegates.
Several persons started 10 speak and
the greatest confusion prevailed.
A gentleman from the county said
the county claimed but three delegates;
another said they were entitled to five.
Mr.. Harlow asked who had authori-
ty to settle the question of numbers OF
1. the county delegation.
At this juncture the greatest confu-
sion prevailed, and on the vote being
taken to adjourn it stood 10 to lO,and the
chairman Though the motion had not
received a majority of the votes of the
city and the county delegates did not
vote declared the convention adj
| journed.
Mr.. Caton's city delegates then with
drew from the hall.
This procedure occasioned the great
est sensation, and ali present were talk
ing at once, when Mr.. S. G. Brent
mounted the stage and said inasmuch
as Mr.. Barley had arrogated to himself
the right to dissolve the convention and
had abruptly left the chair, he would
call the assemblage to order. This
heaped confusion upon confusion, and
the wells and EXPLANATIONS in the audi
ence were deafening. Mr.. Barley un-
de-took to make an explanation, but he
was yelled down amid cries of Leave
The chair" sc. Mr.. Brent, as soon as
he could be heard, nominated Mr.. c. B.
Graham for chairman. The Cries of
FAYE and no'' were deafening upon the
question being submitted. In a few
minutes after Chairman Barley vacated
the chair Mr.. Graham was chosen chair
man of the convention.
On motion of Mr.. Brent committees
on permanent organization, credentials
aud resolutions were appointed.
A defeated candidate for delegate in
the county then made things lively by
challenging the right of Mr.. Graham to
the position of chairman, calling him a
traitor, &C., and there were cries of
Come down from there"
Arecess was subsequently taken IN
til the committees were ready to re-
port.
Upon reessembling Mr.. Brent moved
that the thirteen persons present pro-
coed 10 nominate a candidate for the
legislature, and nominated Mr. Chas.
Bendheim.
Mr.. G. II. Norton, seconded the NOM
nation.
Nj. Graham (N1r. Brent in the chair
nominated Mr.. CbGs. Thompson.
Mr.. Norton moved that the city cast
its ballot aS whole.
Alexandria CITY upon the vote being
taken gave Bendheim 20 and tie ooun-
ty 3 for Thompson.
Ga motion of Mr.. Brent Mr. Bend
helms nomination was made ulanim-
Gus and committee appointed 10 notify
him of bis nomination.
Mr. Beudheim later entered The ball
amid cheers. In the remarks he made
be thanked the convention for this Gee
ond evidence of their good will in re-
nominating'him for seat in the Legs
lature, and promised that the inter-
ests of his constituents should en-
gross his entire attention. He
deplored the unfortunate occur
rences in the party, but said ne
stood as the bona tide candidate of the
democratic party for the Legislature,
and those who had nominated should
not have the odium of the discussions
placed at their doors. He closed by
again thanking the convention for the
honor conferred upon him.
Mr.. Charles Thompson was then call
ed upon for speech. He assembled the
stage and in an excited manner eXcor-
lated the "half of a convention" as he
termed 1t, which had presumed to
place bis name in nomination and
repudiated the action Of the conven-
ton in making nomination under
such circumstances. He said such pro-
ceedings were the bane of the demo-
cratic ranks. He would not be party
to the dishonest transaction he had just
witnessed; if he did he could not re-
tire to his rural home with an easy
conscience. He denounced what he
called the Judases who were found in
the party, and said he was democrat
who fought for principles.
Cries for Mr. S. c. Brent were then
made, and that gentleman approached
the table and made some remarks in
which he criticised the action of those
who had bolted the convention.
Mr.. ]. 7. Sweeney (who was not a
member Of the convention) interrupted
Mr.. Brent for question and in a five
minute speech propounded number of
interrogatories which caused instanse
excitement: Mr.. Sweeney denounced
the action of the persons who had as
sumed to make nomination and the
uproar became so great that Mr.. Brent
stepped to the front and said motion
had been made 10 adjourn and himself
asked vote and declared the con-
vention adjourned sine die.
The convention was undoubtedly the
most excited ever held hereabouts
under democratic auspices, and bore
strong resemblance to those of recon-
struction days among The republicans.
1t is now said by some that the
county will elect three delegates and
that another convention will be held in
about ten days. Already there is talk
of a republican or an independent can
didate for the Legislature.
The action of the convention caused
much dissatisfaction amorg the mem
bers of the ounty committee who were
in the city. and this evening they held a