Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-08-23
IN THE EIGHTH.
AS 1t Now Stands Judge Richardson Has
the Call.

the Call.
Decatur, Aug. 22.-(Special)-Co
conventions were held today in the seven
counties composing the Eighth Alabama
Congressional district for the purpose OF
choosing delegates to the free silver dem
ocratic nominating congressional conven-
tion which meets in this city on Septem-
Der l next. Six county conventions
those of Lauderdale, Lawrence, Jackson,
Limestone, Madison and Morgan-naVe,
without contest, sent instructed delega-
tions 20 the district convention, the first
three for Gen. Joseph Wheeler, present
member Of congress from TINS district,
and the latter three counties sent similar
delegations instructed for Judge william
Richardson, General Wheelers opponent
in the congressional race.
Colbert the seventh county in the DIS
trict, held separate Wheeler and Rich-
ardson conventions today, tine former
being composed of forty-nine ana the Ia.-
ter fifty-five delegates, resulting IN setiu.
ing contrasting delegations from tnat
comfy. AS it now stands the Decatur
convention will be organized with an mi
tial representation for General Wneelef
of twenty-four and for Judge Richardson
twenty-eight delegates, which VIII give
the Richardson men control OF the organ
ization. and. together with the added
strength Of Colbert county, Will undoupt-
edly secure Judge Richardson the nomi-
nation. which his friends here believe Is
now assured. The closing contest mas
been one of the most interesting In the
political history OF this district.
Two Conventions in One Hall.
Tuscumbia, Aug. 22.-(Special)-Th
county congressional convention, which
met here today, will live in memory or
Colbert county democrats as the most
notable contest ever witnessed Dy them.
1t was generally known that the result
of Colbert's convention would decide
the nomination between Gen. Joseph
Wheeler and Judge William Richardson.
and for this reason every inch or ground
was stubbornly fought by their partl-
sans The county executive committee
was called together yesterday morning
to decide several contests, and did not
finish its labors until this afternoon.
They decided in favor of Wheeler dele
pates and when the convention was
called to order and the report OF the ex-
ecutive committee was adopted, the re-
naming Richardson delegates withdrew
to another end of the hall, where they
were quickly joined by the unsuccessful
contestants, and soon the novel spectacle
of two conventions at work was seen.
The Richardson convention elected
delegates to the district convention at
Decatur, September l. Judge hicnard-
son then entered, and was greeted by a
perfect storm of applause He was es-
corted to the platform, where, in few
earnest words. he thanked the conven-
ton, and begged them to not interrupt
by unnecessary noisy demonstrations the
Wheeler convention in the other ena OF
the hall, declaring they were his friends.
At this juncture the Wheeler conven-
ton paused in their work and heard the
ringing words of the speaker in appre-
citation as he pledged his loyal support
to democracy, and to cheerfully abide by
&frvs
The Wheeler convention also elected
delegates to the Decatur convention, in
structing them as a unit for General
Wheeler. So the contest 10 transferred