Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-07-31
COUNTY DEMOCRATS
In Convention at Newfane.

only IL Towns Represented--PRrty
Nominees, state and National, En-
dOrsed, but No Evidence that the Chi
cago Free silver Platform Had Been
Heard From.
The Democrats of Windham county met
at Newfane Wednesday, nominated county
officers, discussed the silver question, con-
demned the Vermont prohibitory law, and
went home. Ten o'clock was mentioned
in the call as the hour for assembling, but
when that time arrived the Democratic
population of Newfane was not visibly in
fated. Later tally-ho came in from
Brattleboro and the faithful took courage.
At about half past II the convention was
called to order by John K. Gale of Gull
ford. A. P. Carpenter of Nottingham was
elected temporary chairman, A. w. Childs
of Brattleboro secretary. This organiza-
ton was then made permanent, and com
pleted by the addition of D. P. Cobb of
Brattleboro, H. G. Porter of Nottingham,
and George Metcalf of Westminster as
vice presidents. The committee on Gre
dentials reported the presence of 81 dele
gates, representing II towns. The absence
of Democrats from nearby towns like
Brookline and Dover was noteworthy.
G. E. Skinner of Newfane, sitting on the
right of c. H. Davenport, moved that the
chair appoint a committee of three on reso-
buttons. Mr.. Kirwan of Brattleboro moved
to amend by increasing the number TO five,
all to be nominated from the floor. Mr..
Kirwan's motion prevailed, and John f.
Gale of Guilford, n. T. Ryan of Brattle-
boro, II. G.. Porter of Nottingham, E. S.
Leonard of Rockingham, and c. f. Skin
ner of Newfane constituted the committee
on resolutions. The committee on nomi-
nations was made up of II members, one
from each town represented. A recess
was then taken until p. NJ.
First on the afternoons program was
the report of the committee on nomina-
tions, which was accepted and adopted by
the convention without dissenting voice.
These are the nominees:
Senators-W. A. Brown of Nottingham,
W. L. Gibson of Londonderry.
Assistant judges. f. Wheeler of Will
mington, John B. Minard of Westminster.
Sheriff-Henry Bellows of Marlboro.
High bailiff-Arthur w. Childs of Brat.
tleboro.
States attorneys. T. Davenport of
Brattleboro.
Judges of probate-District of MARI
boro, Royal Tyler of Brattleboro. Dis
trict of Westminster, o. NJ. George of
Rockingham.
County commissioner-W. r. Lyman of
Stratton.
After the nominations came an address
by Editor Jackson of the Montpelier Argus
and Patriot, who spoke in defence of the
Chicago platform, touching chiefly upon
the planks relating to the issue of bonds,
federal interference in local affairs, and the
free coinage of silver. The address was
well delivered and able. c. II. Davenport,
who followed agreed with Mr.. Jackson in
a general way in regard to the advantages
of bimetallism, but harbored decided doubts
as to the ability of the United States, I'M
aided, to take the initiative successfully in
the free coinage of silver. While stoutly
asserting his loyalty to Democratic princi-
Piles, he intimated that his support for the
presidency of the United States would GO
to man yet to be named. Mr.. Daven.
port then dilated upon the corruption and
extravaganza of Republican rule in Yer.
mont, and upon the demoralizing influ-
ences of our prohibitory law.
Mr.. Kirwan was the third speaker. He
championed the cause of free silver, with
occasional illusions to "the editor of our
so-called Democratic paper This ended
the speech-making, and John Z. Gale,
chairman of the committee on resolutions,
introduced the platform, prefacing the
reading with the remark that, although all
factions and shades Of opinion were repre-.
scented on the committee, the report was
unanimous. The resolutions support the
national, state, and county nominees of the
Democracy, but is as silent as the grave
about questions of finance and the Chicago
platform; opposes polite religious secret
societies; advocates a collateral inheritance
| tax, and recommends the substitution of To-
| cal option for the Vermont prohibitory
law.
Mr.. Kirwan noticed an omission and
moved to amend in such a way as to en-
dorse the Chicago platform. Mr.. Sleeper
| of Westminster spoke in opposition TO Mr..
| Kirwan, ard Editor jackson was begging fol
| the floor when debate was cut off and the
| question of adoption of the resolutions as
reported forced to a vote. The vote resulted
| in the adoption with only one or two
voices in opposition. Before adjournment
Mr.. Davenport gained the floor long enough
to say that he objected to his Democracy
being called in question by man who in
Brattleboro few weeks ago voted at the
| Stickney- caucus who, when his vote
waschallenged replied, lam a Republican, -
who, a short time since, was a leader OF
| Populists, who had undergone other
| changes too numerous TO mention. He
would not pretend to say that the gentle.
| mans frequent flops were not wholly con.
scientious and sincere, but he did object to
arrogating to himself the ability to recog-
nize the attributes of a Democrat. Mr.
Kirwan Immediately arose and said, 81 de-
| ny the charge" Mr.. Kirwan evidently
thought some one had been speaking Of
him.
The convention adjourned without date