Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-09-24
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Delegates From New Castle
County Nominated.
NOMINEES OF THE DEMOCRATS
Selections Made in This City
Yesterday.


hall to name 10 men as candidates for
delegates to tho State Constitutional
Convention. After temporary organi-
zation had been effected, d motion to
| take recess until O'Clock was made,
| but was lost. Tho committees there
upon went to work.
| The town clocks were striking the
hour of noon when Willard Salisbury,
| chairman of the Democratic county
executive committee, called the con-
vention to order. lie said that it was an
unusual gathering and one of very
great moment. He urged the conven-
tion to its best efforts. saying that it
could strengthen the Democratic party
by so doing. County Secretary Coch-
ran was also on the platform.
Mr. Salisbury called for nominations
for temporary chairman, and George
Q. Morton Of the Twelfth ward was
named without opposition. Messrs.
Medill and Weldon escorted him to the
chair and he took charge OF the meet.
ing. The eavel was dumbbell from
the Turn Hall gymnasium. Charles
b Evans Of Newark was named as
temporary secretary. He was escorted
to the platform by Messrs Murphy and
Spruance.
The chairman appointed the follow
ing committees: On permanent organi-
cation, Patrick Neary, B. J. Donahue,
John Nivin, George Medill and Colen
| Ferguson: on credentials, Milton Ii.
Hawkins, j. II. Spruance, John
Cheairs, William Lockerman and
George MclDtyre.
A delegate moved for rocess until
2 O'Clock, but the motion was lost and
the committees proceeded to business
The committee on credentials later
presented its report. 1t was suggested
that in case of vacancies in the hun
dred delegations, the delegates present
should name those to fill the vacancies
The list of the delegates was read by
Seer etary Evans.
The committee on permanent organi-
cation reported the names of the tenn
porary officers for the permanent officers
and the report was adopted. When
Chairman Morton said that he hoped
the deliberations would be done in a
spirit of friendliness and loyalty to the
Democratic party he was applauded.
Il. Bayard Heisel moved that the
convention apportion four delegates
from Wilmington and elk from the
county. L. E. Eiason moved to
amend by adding that in the county
the delegates be named according to
the commissioner districts, two from
each district. One delegate held that
the law provided for this, but it does
not The convention adopted the
superintendent according to Mr..
amendment.
About ~. As o'clock the convention
took recess until 3 o'clock.
| Tho convention uaa ruIIeU IN pr1er
shortly after 3 o'clock by Permanent
Chairman George @. Morton. Secre-
tary Evans called the roll which
showed full list of delegations.
Thereupon Chairman Morton an
nounced that it would be in order to
place delegates in nomination.
L. Il. Eliason of New Castle hum
dred first presented resolution that
in the event of the death of delegate
or his refusal or inability to serve, the
Democratic Executive Committee of
New Castle county be authorized to
fill the vacancy. This was passed
without dissenting vote.
The nominations for delegates to the
Constitutional Convention followed.
George Mcintyre presented the names
of Toy and Justis for the First dis
trict and they were nominated without
dissent Albert Silvers presented the
names of Evans and Cooch for the
Fourth district and the convention
nominated them. The Fifth district
was than called. b. Frank David
tried to put the name of Mortimer j.
Records in nomination, instead OF
, Franklin Brockson, who with Column
bus Watkins, had been agreed upon by
the CAUCUS. Colen Ferguson, who had
| ,lnI NJ fha tzNt
the floor and presented the regular
son. The motion to nominate them was
seconded. The chair ruled that the
nomination of Records was not
seconded. Clerk of the Peace Jetfer-
son b. Foard announced that there
had been but one dissenting voice in
the caucus. The question on the nomi-
nation OF Watkins and Brockson was
carried with but one or two opposing
votes.
The Wilmington nominations we're
reported by j. Harvey Spruance, who
had presided at the Wilmington
caucus He presented the names of
Senator Gray and Messrs. Donahoe,
Biggs and johnson. Clerk OF the
Peace Foard seconded tho nominations.
Mr.. Hawkins was on his feet before
the chairman had stated the question.
The chairman told him to wait and
then, after stating the question,
allowed him the floor. 81 wish to
place in nomination in lieu of the
. name of George Gray the name Of L.
@. Vandegrift,' said Mr.. Hawkins.
! He declared that the names presented
were not the unanimous choice Of the
caucus and that the action was not
. binding; that all the delegates did not
stay in the caucus. Mr.. Hawkins
asked that tho vote be taken by ballot
Mr.. Spruance replied to Mr.. Hawkins
by saying that q out of % agreed upon
the names presented and that Mr..
Hawkins and another gentleman were
the ones who walked out.
The chair ruled that Mr.. Vandegrift
had been properly nominated; that in
the event of the amendment being
carried his name would take the place
of Senator Gray's.
A delegate moved that the amend
ment be laid npon the table, but the
motion was not pushed.
Il. Bayard Heisel arose to point OF
order. He held that Mr.. Hawkins
motion could not be acted upon until
Mr.. Spruance's had been disposed of.
Mr.. Heisel's point of order was well
received by the delegates, who greeted
II with applause Mr.. Hawkins, how
| ever, declared that his motion was an
amendment; that Vandegrift be sub
stituted for Senator Gray.