Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1896-07-22
THE CONVENTION OPENED.

THE CONVENTION OPENED.
Gen. James H. Wilson, the chair
man of the State central committee,
entered the room and, mounting the
Judges bench, raped the convention
to order and asked who the convention
would name as a temporary chair
man. Several voices answered, eve
want Manlove Hayes"
Mr.. Hayes selection caused round
of cheers, Hugh Browne was made
secretary, Rev. A. D. Davis, editor of
the Republican, of Georgetown, made
the opening prayer.
During the noon recess the greater
part of the time was consumed in eau
cusing, and at each one of the caucuses
there was difference of opinion as to
the matter of compromising with the
Addicksites, and, indeed it surprised
some of the leaders at the number who
actually wanted to endorse the ticket
named at Dover on Tuesday.
The First district Wilmington dele
CATION organized by electing Washing
ton Hastings chairman and W. C. R.
Colquhoun, secretary. John G. Hig-
gins of Delaware City was decided
upon as the preference for the Guber-
material candidate, while a preference
was expressed for George H. Hall
of Milford as the candidate for
member of Congress. The organi-
cation of the Second district was as
follows: Martin B. Burris, chairman;
Daniel D. Stewart, secretary. Some
of the delegates were favorable to ap-
proving the Addicks ticket, but the
majority, who did not think that way,
agreed with the members of the First
district delegation.
The Kent caucus selected j. w. Cas-
son as chairman and T. N. Rawlins as
secretary. They could not throw over
board their fellow-citizen, John H.
HOfecker, who had been nominated
by the Addicks convention, and they
decided to put in nomination the name
of Mr.. Hofecker, but it shown after
ward by the trend of the convention
that they subsequently changed their
minds. The delegates of Kent stood
81 to 2 for Hoffecker.
Robert G. Houston presided over the
Sussex comfy caucus and Thomas In
gram was made secretary. At one
time during its caucus Geo. E. Smith
had 20 votes, HOffecker 10, Arnold had
3, and balance for Higgins. Wash
Hastings pushed into the caucus and
attempted to abuse Hon. J. S. Willis,
but S. J. Hayward, delegate from
Cedar Greek shut him off. Charles
F. Richards played into the hands OF
Nav Castle and finally landed Robert
G. Houston as the Sussex county
choice for Congress.
When the convention reassembled
Mr.. E. G. Bradford, chairman of the
committee on resolutions, submitted
the platform, which was adopted. The
platform closely resembled that
adopted by the Addicks convention al
Dover. 1t pledged the party to the
platform of the national convention
and said it was impossible to maintain
two standards of currency, and in view
of this fact the standard of gold should
be upheld
The platform also contained a lengthy
plank referring to the blessings of pro.
lection as enunciated by Hon. Will
liam KcKinley and said the country
was experiencing a period of wide.
spread want brough about by the false
teachings and working of tariff reform.
Pensions were recommended and ship
ping interests were to be protected,
while good roads we're strongly urged.
The party is pledged for a new con-
stitution and will endeavor to limit the
appointing power of the Governor.
The Chicago platform is characterized
as one which, if in vogue, would bring
ruin, disaster and dishonor to the
country. A hearty invitation is ex-
tended to all democrats who believe in
sound money to join with the republi-
cans in electing Mckinley. Abolition
of tn poll Tux is demanded and the use
of M ney atthe polls isdeplored.
MI Bradford, after reading the plat
forni said: ''This is true republican
sentiment, not like the platform which
was adopted at Chicago, which stands
as menace to peace and good order
and places us in the greatest peril
whieh the country has had to face since
the war. AS the speaker halted a great
coInlnotion was heard at the door, and
J few minutes the crowd which filled
.fcl@ obby of the courtroom was tam
VIII Win up mass of humanity. Dele
n LIS, newspaper men and women
nted chairs in order to see what