Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-10-12
DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION,

uctO " aopaS.'SAs WIZ SAsS SN NSeAeJ
in the House of Delegates assembled in
sarepta Hall at hslf-past - o'clock to.
day.
MIR. John T. Sweeney, chairman o.
the city democratic committee, called
the convention to order, and on motion
of Mr.. Frank Hume Mr.. George L.
Simpson, who formerly represented
this city in the House of Delegates, was
elected temporary chairman. Mr.
Simpson thanked the convention in q
few appropriate remarks for the honor
conferred. The press reporters who
were present were requested to act as
secretaries. These officers were sub
seuuently made permanent.
There was long debate as to wheth-
err or not the rules of the Virginia
House of Delegates should be adopted,
as is the action of most conventions,
Mr.. G. Hatley Norton favoring them
in all particulars save the rule requir-
ing the candidate receiving the lowest
vote to be dropped,
Mr.. Marbury urged that this con-
vention should be no exception to 9th.
ers; all he had ever attended had
adopted these rules. a candidate could
be renominated at any time, if that
was the only objection to them.
Mr.. Norton introduced resolutian
providing that the voting be proceeded
with and that no candidate be dropped
until nomination was made. This
was adopted unanimously.
Mr.. J. M. Johnson then nominated
Mr.. W. b. May and spoke commenta-
tory of him as business man.
Mr.. Norton presented the name of
Mr.. Chas. Bendheim in a few appro.
pirate remarks, in which he alluded to
his past services as member of the
House of Delegates.
Mr.. Brent nominated Mr.. L. G. Bar
ley, and in doing go said MIR. Barley had
never asked anything of the democratic
party before this, although for years
his time and talents had been devoted
to the interests of that organization.
MIR. G. B. Graham, of the county,
presented the name OF Mr.. A. A. Lip
scomb, and spoke of his abilities and his
fitness for such position. Mr.. Lip
scomb and Mr.. Mushbach, he said,
would reflect credit upon any communi-
ty they would represent.
Mr.. Simpson (Mr. Brent in the chair
seconded the nomination of Mr.. May.
He gave his history from the time he
entered Alexandria up to the present
time. In referring to his war record as
soldier in the Confederate army he
brought forth much applause.
Mr.. Henry Strauss spoke in favor OF
the nomination of Mr.. Barley and ex-
pressed his perfect confidence in his
ability to make an able representative.
Mr.. r. r. Veitch seconded the nomi-
nation of Mr.. Lipscomb.
Mr.. Robert Cox seconded the nomi-
nation of Mr.. Benheim, and Mr.. Leon
ard Marbury that of Mr.. Barley, both
expressing their faith in tho abilities Of
their respective favorities.
Some debate followed as to the mode
of voting, Messrs. Brent aud Norton
engaging in q colloauy ss to the tenacity
displayed by the delegates in adhering
to those whose cause they had come to
champion. Finally Mr.. Brent, in a
heated mood, said he wore no mans
collar; when he found il impossible to
nominate his man he would consider it
his privilege to vote for some one else.
Mr.. Norton alao asserted his indie
psndenoe.
The voting was then proceeded with,
the first ballot standing: Barley 992,
Bendheim $50, May 4S1. Lipscomb el6,
and seven others showed the same re-
suit.
On the ninth ballot Barley's and
hendheim's votes were unchanged, but
the May delegates announced their
vote for Lipscomb, which brought the
latter's up to 697. The tenth ballot
showed the same result,
1t was decided at this juncture Q:30)
TO take an hours recess.
Upon the reassembling of the conven.
ton balloting was proceeded with. The
11th showed that the coalition between
Messrs. May and Lipscomb wss intact,
the latter receiving a97. On thu 18th
ballot the May delegates cast 200 for
May and 2S1 for Bendheim, giving the
latter Oil in all. The 18th showed
Barley $50, Bendheim 511, May 200,
Lipscomb SIG.
The voting was then continued In q
see.saw way for many ballots, Mr.. Bar
ley receiving his 992 votes and the
others being divided, with Messrs. Bend
helm, May and Lipscomb alternating
as to second place, Mr.. Lipscomb at
one time receiving 1897 and Bendheim
1127.
On the 23l ballot the Bendheim del
egates cast solid vote for Lipscomb,
when the May delegates, who had cast
their votes for May, changed to Lips.
comb, giving him clear majority.
This was received with a hurrah, but
before the vote coulp be announced the
Bendheim delegates changed their
votes back to Bendheim, thus prevent
ing an election.
The see-saw voting was then re-
sumed with now and then motion
to adjourn. This was kept up till 3:20
when after 81 Intellectual ballots had
been cast a recess was taken for an
hour.
Upon the reassembling of the con.
vention the SD ballot was proceeded
with. 1t resulted in no election, as did
the SD. Subsequently the see-saw
game was again started, the Barley
delegation remaining unmoved and
casting their 992 solidly each time.
At o'clock the convention was still
10 session, and no nomination had been
made. One hundred and ffty-three
ballots had been taken with no ma