The morning call., 1894-08-24
GEARY RENOMINATED.
Delegates Assembled to Denounce
Yet Honored Him.


Perhaps the hottest battle attending the
meeting of the Democratic State conven-
ton took place last night In Pythisn Hall,
when the adherents of Congressman Geary
and Senator Gesford of Napa assembled
to fight out the question of supremacy in
the First Congressional District.
1t was not only a question of supremacy,
but contest involving the reputation or
forgiveness of the Congressman who had
dared to vote against the pet tariff of the
Democratic party while representing a
constituency of Democrats at Washing
ton. Mr.. GeaTy had been denounced by
the people who had elected him, and last
night he went before their representatives
asking to be again intrusted with the Office
which they said he had disgraced He
won a victory. That is, he came cut of
the conflict victorious over his opponent
but he did not emerge unscathed. The
whole tide of affairs was turned by a
speech by L. j. Clunie, one of the best
Mr.. Clunie has made In many a long day.
1t was an appeal to Democracy to condnne
the fault Of its servant aud ii had its eff
feet. The delegates went into the hall
prepared 90 consign Geary to his Con-
gressiOnai grave. but they didn't do it,
John Buckingham of Mendocino, chair
man of the Congressional COMMITTEES,
called the meeting TO order and w. f.
Cowan of Santa Rosa was chosen chair
man and E. \. Tspscott of Tehama secre-
tary. The rollcall was dispensed WITH
II. B. ellis of Sskiyou placed in nomina-
ton Thomas !. Geary of Sonoma. ellis
spoke very highly of the Congressman,
saying that no man had done more for his
constituency. 1t had been said that Geary
was a lucky man. If that were so the
speaker thought it only greater reason
for supporting him. He believed IN stay
lug with a man as long as his luck was
with him. Geary had made a reputation
in Washington. He had had experience
and was better equipped for the efficient
discharge OF the duties of the office than
a new man would be. ellis eGlogistic
speech was followed by mild applause
from a half-doZen delegates. The nOmina-
ton of Geary was seconded by 3. b.
jackson of Siskiyou.
Denis Spencer nominated Senator IL. c.
Gesford of Napa. He referred 10 the fact
that Gesford had been ntrusted with re-
sponsible duties by the people, and had
always Croved himself worthy of the
trust. He was young man in every way
entitled 10 aspire to the exalted position
which the convention was about to be-
stow upon some one. Nominate him."
declared Spencer, "and he will not prove
man who, when elected. would disregard
The national platform of his party. He is
a man who of all others does not believe
that he is Individually above the Demo-
cratic party"
Spencer's thrust at Geary occasioned
great applause, and the shouts Of the dele
gates showed that Gesford had great
strength in the convention.
Shanahan of Siskiyou seconded the
nomination OF Gesford He recited Ges-
fOrd's record In the Legislature. He had
shown himself able, had pushed through
the Legislature valuable anti-railroad
laws. Shanahan, referring TO Geary. said
it was TO be deplored that 1t was possible
| that a man could be placed in nomination
| by Democratic convention who had said
/ that he could not vote for the Wilson bill.
/ He said that it would be impossible for
| Democrats to work for a man who had
been denounced by his constituents as a
traitor. What are We here for?" he said.
us it to sell yourself for few paltry
| dollars drawn by Federal office-hOder?"
He spoke of an appropriation for the
! dredging of Hum boldt Bay. which Geary
! had been instrumental in securing. and &C.
clared that the hope of services of this
kind from Office holders could never influ-
ence him when called upon to do Dem
ocracy's bidding.
Geary had repudiated his party, and he
| could not see how he or any one else
could go forth and make canvass for
such a man on a Democratic platform
Shanahan read resolutions passed by the
people in Siskiyou denouncing Geary as a
traitor to his party. He did.not stint him
self In his denuncation, and he grew
hoarse with his invective.
Ex- Congressman Clunie, who held a
proxy. came to the defense of Geary. He
admitted all that had been said in favor
OF Gesford. but he declared that Geary
had never done anything that was un-
Democratic except in voting against the
Wilson bill. Men of prominence in poii.i-
cal life often disagreed on questions of
great importance such as the tariff bill.
C!unie said that he was sitting at Geary's
side when Geary voted against that
measure. He remarked to the Congress
man that he had made a mistake, and
Geary replied that he could not help it;
he could not vote for any schedule
mat was not fair to all. They were
not fair" declared Clunie. "Those