The Portland daily press., 1896-07-13
JOHN M'LEAN DECLINED
DOUBTFUL HONOR.
Nomination Made by Actlalnation
During Fifth Ballot.
STORY OF THE FINAL DAY OF THE
CONVENTION.

The Nomination Some what of Surprise
to Mr. Sewsll-Trouble in the Maine
Camp Caused by DIR. Gordon Casting
| Vote of Entire Delegation for the
Bath Man-Convention Adjourned
Sine Die at 3.16,
Chicago July 1.-THE Democratic Ma
tional convention closed up its ticket
| this afternoon and adjourned sine die
soon after O'Clock. 1t selected as its
candidate for Vice President the veteran
| ship owner and ship builder, Arthur
| Sewan Of Maine, for many years chair
man of the Democratic state committee
OF that state. This result was not reached
| without a struggle. The same number
Of ballots were required to effect it az to
| make the nomination for President, viz, /,
| five. Sixteen candidates were placed in
nomination or were voted for with or
without their consent on the first ballot.
All but four quickly dropped out of
sight. They were Bland, Sibley, Mclean
and Sewall. After the first ballot, a
| movement was started, chiefly as the
instigation Of Gov. Altgeld of Illinois,
to throw the nomination to Bland. The
| Missouri delegation kept out of the move
| mont at first, but reserved it's voue in or
| der to cast it for Bland at later stage if
there was any probability Of their so do
ing by turning the scales in his favor but
4 hot hsrzr a ,uAT
Maine, the successful candidate. though
present in the CITY as member of the
National Democratic committee was
personally known 10 few members on the
| floor. He was placed in nomination by
deglegate from California who gave no
personal details as to the candidate. The
seconder of Sewall, MIR. Thomas of Colo
rado, added little to the information
| possessed by the convention except that
he.testitied to Mr. Sewall's business abil-
ity. as ship builders railroad president
and bank president.
| Mr.. Sewall was present in the con-
vention during the first four ballots for
the Vice Presidency. He left the hall
at the beginning of the fifth ballot and
was on the platform of the railway sta
tion waiting for train into the city
when word was taken to him of the re-
suit. he went Immediately to his rooms
in the Palmer house, whore he was seen
after the adjournment OF the convention
| by representative of the United Press
hir. Sewall said he preferred to do no
talking but consented TO answer few
questions. "The nomination came to
me entirely unexpected. I had no idea
OF any such result when | came to Obi
oago," he said. 81 wish you would say
| it came without solicitation on my part
l shall remain in Chicago several days
and have not decided what day shall
start for home.
| Asked for his opinion of the chances of
the ticket in the East, Mr.. Sewall said !:
II think they are very good. The strength
of the silver men iii the Fast is greater
even than the friends Gf silver realize.
Judging by our own state, the silver par
ty Ia strong and constantly growing
stronger. In my state, when announced
myself as a silver man two years ago,
could count the silver men on the fin-
gers Of my two hands Today the major
| ity of the Democrats in Maine are silver
men. I anticipate lively campaign. It
Is not impossible we may carry the
state.
| Mr. Sewall was asked If Democratic
defeat in the September election In Maine
will not hurt the national ticket. He
relied: 1T ought not to do SO. IKE Re-
| pu blioans generally win thsre. In faot
not since 1880 have the Democrats carried
| the state.
| "Will not the refusal to support the
ticket by the Democratic newspapers in
| the Hast hurt the tioket9"
II don't think so !"
Mr.. Sewall said he had never met Mr..
Bryan until he came to this convention
| he added: "Hs is q very fine man.
heartily approve of tine candidate and en-
dorse the platform. I think the eonven-
| tion has reached successful conclusion
and have great confidence in the sue
cess of our tioket.' ~