The San Francisco call., 1896-06-19
How 10 Hamilton, the Old War
Horse, Was Named for
Elector at Large.
-ETER FOR LIEUTENANT
GOVERNOR.
Chairman Gould Talks Dip!omatically.
Mem bers of the New State Cen
tral Committee.

SACRAMENTO, CAL, June 18.-When
the Democratic State Conven ton was
called to order shortly after o'clock this
morning, general desire was evident to
hurry through with business. Less than
half the delegates were present.
Nominations were declared in order for
alternates to the delegates at large, and
William B. Wiltshire of Los Angeles, A.
NJ. Mccoy of Tehama, A. Caminetti OF
Amador and A. w. Barrett of Los Angeles
were chosen as such.
For electors at large, William Craig of
San Francisco and w. H. Workman of
Los Angeles were placed in nomination.
Just before the vote was taken Workman
withdrew, Craig was elected by ACCLAIM
alton, and then General Jo Hamilton of
Placer was placed before the convention.
After one or two speeches had been made
seconding his nomination, the old politi-
cal warhorse assembled the platform, and
in voice unshaken by his many years, he
made a touching and almost pathetic ap-
peal to be excused from the duties of the
honor which his friends were seeking to
force upon him. In the course of his re-
marks he said
This is the first time have ever turned
my back upon the party. 1 served it all
my life, and if 1 were really able to lead
its columns once more there is no duty !
would rather discharge than the attempt
to lead that party, which has been so kind
to-day, to victory IN November next"
Hamilton's declination aroused his
friends to the highest degree of enthusi-
asm, and several of them made eloquent
pleas asking him to reconsider his de-
termination. When these had finished
Chairman Gould stated that he thought
the old general had changed his mind, and
was willing to accept The general, who
had remained on the platform during all
this time, now came forward and spoke
few words, as follows:
1.-The determination that came to to de-
cline is one that was fixed in my mind
when I came here. I deeply thank you
for the mark of affection you have shown
me. feel that in placing my name at the
head of your electoral ticket and insisting
upon its remaining there, that you have
done me an honor which 1 cannot in JUS
tice to you and the duty which feel
owe the party. decline. l do not feel my
self able to stand against the express wish
of those love so well and to whom l am
under such great Obligations"
General Hamilton's selection was made
by acclamation.
White OF Santa Cruz offered q resolution
providing that the nomination for Lieu
tenant Governor be passed and left in the
hands of the State Central Committee.
After it had been adopted it was feared
that this action was in conflict with the
election laws ana after some debate the
resolution was rescinded.
Marion Brooks of Los Angeles placed
W. 7. Jeter, the incumbent, in nomina-
ton for the position of Iieutenant-Gov-
ernor, and he was unanimously endorsed.
An invitation was accepted from the
Carnival Association of Santa Cruz to at
tend the Venetian Festival now in progress
in that city.
Resolutions of thanks on behalf of the
convention to the chairman and other
officers of that body and to the people as
Sacramento, and on behalf of tba visiting
newspaper men to E. B. Willis and the
other members of the local press commit
tee for courtesies extended were adopted. "a
By resolution the State Central Commit
tee was empowered to fill all vacancies
BnaL mlgnI occur on tne Llcket named Dy
the convention.
Kinney of Los Angeles offered resolu-
ton providing that the Democratic State
conventions be held alternately north and
south of Tehachapi, at time andsplace
to be selected by the State Central Com
mittee. This was declared out of order by
the chairman, after considerable debate
had taken place.
Marion Brooks of Los Angeles intro
duced a resolution providing that the
entire California delegation be instructed
to vote as a unit. He declared that the
adoption of Reeds resolution indorsing
the National administration virtually re-
leased the delegates from their pledge to
support the silver plank in the platform,
and added that while the delegates at large
would undoubtedly vote according to the
wishes of the convention in reference to
silver. he was little afraid that goldbug
might have slipped into one of the district
delegations to Chicago.
Considerable bate followed, and finally
Burke of Santa Cruz offered an amend
ment providing that all delegates should
vote as a unit at Chicago for candidate
and for principles in the platform that
would favor the free coinage of silver in
the ratio of is to /. This was adopted,
and after the various counties had handed
in their selections of members to comprise
the State Central Committee, the conven-
ton at IL 20 o'clock adjourned sine die.
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