Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-02-10

The Democrats Of New Castle county
met in delegate convention at Turn
Hall this morning to consider proposed
changes in the party rules.
Previous to the converting Of the body
the various delegates talked among
themselves concerning the business TO
be brought before the meeting. The
leading source of discussion was the
method of making nominations for
l1unty officNs, all OF which have be-
come elective under the new Constitu
zion.
1t was easily seen that the sentiment
of the delegates was divided. a Viii,
minRton Democrat related to the writer
that a man from ons Of the hundreds
told him that the impression oxiated
that Wilmington hundred wanted to cut
the county out. This impression the
Wilmington man tried to eradicate, tell
ing him that Wilmington desired only
what was right.
the Wilmington claim is that by the
primary system, COOL men have been
secured, and the nominees have been
the popular choice Of the county, but
that 10 conventions, the 3, 500 rural
Democrats have more say than The
$500 Wilmington Democrats
In 80 years, Wilmington has had but
two Democratic sheriifs, Thomas Ford
and Alvan Allen, and two curonerH,
George 4. Barnhill and Neven q. Gam
BILE, the rural districts securing the rsat.
One of the rural delegates stated that
the rural delegates he had talked to
favored the convention. Still another
said that the feeling Of the county was
that better men would BIO secured by
the convention system, and the hun
dreds would have a better chance Of
representation.
They hold it would also be less
trouble and not SO complicated as the
primaries. The convention nomination
is favored in connection with system
OF rotation and when man is endorsed
by his hundred in turn for an office,
the convention is to uphold such en-
dorBement.
About 10. 30 o'clock the Wilmington
delegates held short caucus in the
basement.
At 10. As o'clock Chairman Salisbury
called the convention to order. remind.
ing of their actions upon the future oil
the party in this county. They we're
to make new rules conforming tc
changes as to the county districts anG
the primary election laws. 1t depended
upon them whether the Democratic
party would be united for years OIL
divided, and he recalled the time whet
two county committees were in exist
euce.
Mr.. Salisbury announced that til,
convention was open for the nomination
of temporary chairman. Colen Fergu
son of Appoquinimink hundred nomi
mated J. Wilkins Cooeh Of Pencader fo
that position aud he was elected by &C
clamRtion. Messrs. Ferguson an,
Charles II. Salmon escorted MIR. CoocI
to the platform. He returned thank
for the nomination and said he regards
ths meeting as one of the most import
ant held by the Democratic party 70
yeare, a great deal depending upon thei
deliberations. He trusted that no Bit
terness Or sore places would result fror
their actions. Thomas F. McGarrit
of the Eleventh ward was nominate
and elected temporary secretary an
vas escorted to the platform by Measrt
Mulligan and Rose.
Upon motion Of Colen Ferguson th
temporary officers we're elected to b
the permanent officers of the convention
Patrick Nesry. Fifth ward, move
that a committee OF three from Wi
minRton and one from each of the otht
hundreds be named to prepare, revil
and report the rules. The motion WI
adopted and the following coinmitte
sach hundred naming its representatiC
thereon, was appointed:
Wilmington-P Patrick Neary, Hewsc
e. Lannan, James j. Gegan.
BrHndywine-George Lodge.
Christiana-Thomas Toy.
Mill Creek-H. Ii. Jordan.
White Clay Creek-L, Irving Hand
Pencader--D. G. Rose, Jr.
New Castle-Thomas Holcomb.
Red Lion-James A. Mulligan.
st. 0eorges-Dan. NJ. Cochran
Appoquinimink-C olen Ferguson.
Blackbird-George G.. Rothwell,
The convention reassembled in Il
afternoon and heard the report of Il
sub. committee ON the rules which W
presented by its chairman, Congret
man Levin Irving Handy. The pri
cipal amendments proposed to the ru
ne they had come from the hands of I
county committee were these: Non
nation elections to be held for sheri
coroner, receiver OF taxes and cour
comptroller; nomination conventio
for parliamentary, clerk of the peal
register of wills. recorder OF deet
register 10 Chancery and clerk OF I
Orphans Court. the convention to &,
BiHt OF four delegates from each leg
lative district in Wilmington hundrt
and five from each of the other hi
dreds; the naming of Senatorial can
dates and candidates fur Levy tjo
Commissioner outside of Wilmingt,
to be made in a system cf rotat
whereby the hundred that last ha,
Senator or Levy Court Commission
shall be the Inst in that district
have a Senator or Levy Court Go
missioner; and in future conventi
for changing the rules Wilmington
be represented by four delegates fr
each legislative district in Whining
instead Of one from each ward az
present.
After hearing the proposed ame
munts the convention, by vote Ut
to 90, adjourned until Thursday, F
ruary 18th, at 10. 30 o'clock. a. m.
the meantime the proposed rules
TO receive the earnest consideration
the delegates. as we'll as tbs masI
voters they represent.
1t was realized from the start
the convention bad a difficult sub,
to handle, for it was felt practiuI
impossible TO satisfy everybody.
anticipated the main discussion
upon the question of the method
nominating the county officers
sub-committse appointed to pass u
the rules comprised - mombers, ia
from this city and one from eact