The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-09-12
0T WAS a strange, cold convention
/ that the Democr ats of the county

| that the Democr alta of the county
! held at the court house yesterday
u tonominate candidates for county
offices, for congress and the senate
Candidates were rare birds and the
delegate who wanted "expenses" had
to chase long time before he found
one, 1t will not be ranked by the
ward statesmen as an ideal conven-
tlon.
1t seemed impossible to awaken any
enthusiasm. Leaders were dispirited
and downcast. and delegates all wore O
bored look. The eloquent Colonel
Fitzsimmons, who is always counted
on to create waves of enthusiasm at
county conventions at just the tina
when waves of that article are most
needed, was brevity itself in nomina-
ting Judge Smith. His terse remarks
were in strong contrast with the we'll
rounded periods and swelling sentences
in which he performed a similar duty
one year ago.
There was nothing in the surro und-
ings to invoke eloquence and hence the
colonel was silent
The news from Maine. too, had
bad effect. Coming on the eve of the
convention it seemed like the hand
writing on the wall
Never before was such a scene wit
messed in this county as when nom ina
tions were called for. The usual order
Of things was reversed and Judge first
nominated to give additional time to
secure a candidate for congress. When
that office was again reached there was
still no certainty that candidate had
been secured and the situation was be-
coming paiaful, when Billy Craig
rushed into the breach with the name
of Edward Merrifield.
Last evening Mr.. Mortified was un-
able to say whether or not he would
accept the nomination.
WORK OF THE SLATE MAKERS.
1t was late when the Democratic
slate makers sought repose Monday
night. About a. m. ex-Judge Smith
conveyed to them his regrets aud com
pliments and the assurance that he
had no desire to be nominee for con-
gress. When the leaders recovered
from this new blow of adyersity they
went to work again and this time in.
scribed the name of Edward Merrifisld
after the word congress on the myth
ical slate. That Icompleted the roster
Of candidates and the chiefs dispersed.
At 8 o'clock in the morning the dele
gates began to gather at the court
house. Many of them wore 'lean
and hungry" look and they an xiously
sought information concerning the
plan of campaign mapped out for them
The slate fixed up apparently did not
give entire satisfaction and wherever
knot of delegates was gathered there
would be remarks not always of com.
plimentary nature. regarding some one
Of the aspirants for distinction whose
names appeared on the slate. Then the
name of d. j. Campbell began to be
whispered about as a desirable caudi.
date for sheriff. The whispering grew
and by the time the convention was
called to order, Mr.. Campbell's admir-
ers were singing his praises in many
different keys.
The friends Of Daniel P. Battle. the
South Sides eorpulent candidate for
sheriff, were active in his interests and
did not tire of urging his claims for
the nomination. Mr.. Battle, with be-
coming modesty, kept in the back
ground and was not seen in the haunts
Of the delegates
THERE WAS A LIGHT HOUSE.
At 1880. the hour mentioned in the
call for the convention to assemble,
the court room was not half filled.
Delegates and spectators then began to
invade the court room and by the time
the credentials were all handed in the
court room was we'll filled. Most of
the delegates occupied seats within the
bar enclosure.
1t was 10. 40 when Chairman John ].
Fahey, of the county committee, Chair.
man Il. f. Blewitt. of the senatorial
committee. and Attorney George s.
Horn, secretary Of the county commit.
tee, mounted the judges bench In the
main court room, and Mr.. Fahey with
out any formality or preliminary re-
marks called the convention to order,
and asked Mr.. Horn to read the official
call. As the last notes Of Mr.. Horns
we'll rounded voice died away, Mr..
Fahey again arose and said that as the
convention had not yet organized, to
facilitate business he would take the
liberty Of naming Attorney John NJ
Corbett and Lorenz Zsidler jr., assist
ant secretaries. The election districts
of the county were read, aud the dele
gates handed in their credentials to the
assistant secretaries who recorded
them.
: After the credentials OF the delegates
of the county had been received Chair.