Evening journal., 1896-09-18
SENATOR GRAY A NOMINEE
ALL HAWKINS SIGNS FAIL IN WET
WEATHER..

JOHN BIGGS WAS ALWAYS A SURE
THING. BUT THE NOMINATION.
OF EX-SPEAKER DONAHOE AND
A. L. JOHNSON WAS IN THE MA
TURE OF A SURPRISE.
Milton II. Hawkins has by this time
come to the conclusion that when he
runs up against Patrick Neary in the
matter of political manipulation he is
dangerously close to a stone wall. He
worked well to defeat Senator George
Gray at the Democratic County Con-
vention yesterday, but Mr. Neary
worked better, and as a result Senator
Gray is to-day the leader of the Con-
stitutiOnal Convention branch Of the
Democratic ticket.
The last caucus of the Wilmington
delegates was held shortly after 2
o'clock. Two of the twenty-four dele
gates were absent, which reduced to
twelve the number necessary for a
choice. The first ballot resulted I'm eX-
Atorney~General John Biggs receiving
twenty-one votes, eX-Speaker of the
Senate John p. Donahoe. sixteen, and
Senator George Gray, thirteen. This
left a fourth man to select. On the
third ballot A. l.. Johnson, who re-
Gently ran for the legislative nomina-
tion and was defeated by Receiver of
Taxes John T. Dickey, received fifteen
votes and that made up Wilmington s
complement.
Milton H. Hawkins and his friend
withdrew from the caucus indignant
that it should have named man who
refused TO support Bryan and Sewall
1he caucusses Of the several districts
having performed their work the con
vention reassembled. Everything wen
along smoothly until Wilmington wal
reached when Mr.. Hawkins bObbed NJ
serenely, opposed the nomination oi
Mr.. Gray and moved the substitution
OF United States District Attorney
Lewis c. Vandegrift. He declared that
some of the delegates would vote
against him while others had been
whipped into line by king caucus.
Il move to lay that motion on the
table," said Secretary of State j. Har-
vey Whiteman.
Il think that the motion made is out
of order" said T. Bayard Heisel
Chairman George G. Morton decided
against Mr. Heisels point OF order.
Mr.. Whiteman's motion to lay tho
Hawkins motion on the table was then
carried by an overwhelming vote.
The next ripple was caused by an
other motion of substitution when the
Fifth district was called. Columbus
Watkins and Franklin Brockson were
named One delegate wanted the
name Of Mortimer c. Records substi
tuted for that Of Brockson, but h'
failed to find a single sympathizer.
The full ticket nominated was a.
follows, the County Executive Commit
tee being authorized to ill any an'
ell vacancies:
First district, composed Of Brandy
, wine, Christiana and Mil Greek hun
, dreds-Thomas Toy and Robert c. Jus
, tis.
, Second and Third districts, composed
= Of Wilmington hundred-Senato
e. George Gray, John p. Donahoe, Johi
! Biggs and A. l.. Johnson.
( Fourth district, composed Of Penca
: der, New Castle Red Lion and Whit
! Clay Creek hundreds-Charles
Y Evans and J. wilkins Cooch.
z Fifth district, composed Of 81
I Georges. AppoQuinimink and Blackbir
undreds-Columbus Watkins an
4 Franklin Brockson.
The nomination Of Messr. DOnaho
4 and Johnson was a surprise, as it wa
q believed that Peter L. Cooper, Jr.. an
q Owen ]. Hession would be the col
leagues of Messrs. Gray and Biggs.