Evening journal., 1896-10-09
1T HAD TO ACCEPT IT,
Senator Gray Would Not Re-
consider His Action,
ALTHOUGH REQUESTED TO DO so.


COUNTY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
LOATH TO ACCEPT HIS DECLI-
NATION-C1TY SOLICITOR HAIR
MAN ELECTED TO FILL THE VA
CANCY ON THE TICKET.
The Democratic County Executive
Committee did not want to accept the
declination of United States Senator
Gray to serve as a candidate TO the
Constitutional Conventio, but the sem
ator was firm, and Il had do SO. City
Solicitor Robert G.. Harman was elect
ed to fill the vacancy on the ticket
At the meeting OF the committeeayes-
terday afternoon Chairman Salisbury
presented the following letter from the
senator:
"To Willar Salisbury, Jr., Esq.
Chairman Of the Democratic Exc
cutive Committee OF New Castle
County.
Dear Sir I beg herewith TO decline
the nomination for delegate to the
Constitutional Convention, rendered
me by the Democratic party through its
regular channels Highly esteeming
the honor of this nomination, | have
been 10th to do otherwise than accept
it, but as the sessions OF the conven-
tion will be coincident with the next
session of Congress. l am constrained
to remember. that If elected. / will be
confronted by exacting and distracting
duties. Under these circumstances, /
conceive il to be right that / should
avoid a situation where | may be un-
able 10 satisfactorily perform the i'm
portant trusts that may be imposed
upon me-
with renewed assurance of my APP
probation OF the honor of the nomina-
tion herewith declined, / remain,
"Yours very truly,
GEORGE GRAY"
Wilmington, Del, October 8, 1896"
It was not unexpected, for the Even
ing Journal had, two days before. stat
ed that such action would be forth
coming. Consequently the members
had thought the matter over carefully
and were prepared to act.
John H. Rodney, the member from
New Castle hundred, Senator Grays
old home, offered the following resolu-
ton, which was adopted
Whereas, Hon. George Gray
has presented his resignation 10 this
committee as a candidate on the ticket
for the Constitutional Convention.
Resolved, That the resignation be
returned to Hon. George Gray without
acceptance. This committee, repre-
senting the Democratic party of this
county, know full we'll the value of his
services rendered in the past TO ouI
party in this state and TO the country
at large, and feeling confident, as W.
do, that these services will be of incal.
culable benefit to the people of this
state, in the framing of their organic
law, we therefore request him to serve
in the position for which he has been
selected
A copy Of this resolution was sent to
Senator Gray, and an immediate an
swer requested, which was as follows:
ITO the Chairman and members Of the
Democratic Executive Committee
of New Castle County.
Gentlemen: / am just in receipt OF
your resolution, declining to accept my
declination for delegate to the Consti-
tutional Convention.
Il cannot let the occasion pass with
out grateful recognition of your kind
ness, as expressed in the resolutions
which you have adopted NO prospect
fort would deter me from acceding Ia
your partial judgment in the matter
But / feel that the confidence you SO
generously repose in me should be met
by entire devotion to the service re-
quired This, for the reasons have
already stated In my letter of declina.
ton, II fear I could not hope ogive. AND
!, therefore. feel that / must adhere e
the determination expressed in thai
letter.
Thanking you for the gracious re
ceptiOn OF my communication, / am, ai
always, Your friend.
~"GEORGE GRAY"
Wilmington, October 8, 1896.
This was hurried across to the com
mittee rooms and read. Then the dec
lination was accepted, and City So
licitor Harman elected to succeed him
There were but three men put II
nomination to succeed Mr.. Gray. The.
were City Solicitor Harman, Distric
Attorney Lewis c. Vandegrift and VIII
lard Hall Porter, none Of them being
candidate in the true sense OF the word
For the first six ballots the twelv
votes we're almost equally divide'
among them, and at one time eacl
nominee received four votes. On tn
last ballot Mr.. Harman received eigh
votes and Mr. Vandegrift four
Hon. Hale johnson, of Illinois, tn
candidate for vice-president on IN
Prohibition ticket, will speak in tn
Builders Exchange Hall, No. sos Mar
ket street, on Saturday evening, DC