The Newtown bee., 1898-10-14
Democratic County Convention.

Ex MAYOR PATRICK COUGHLIN OF
BRIDGEPORT NAMED FOR SHERIFF.
One OF the most exciting aud turbulent
political gatherings held in Fairfield
county in some years was the democratic
county convention held at the Town hall,
NewtO wn, on Wednesday, for the purpose
Of naming candidate for the office of
high sheriff.
The convention was called to order at
II 30 .. M, by John j. Walsh OF Nor
walk. r. G. Mullins was made Temporal
ry clerk. The call for the convention
was read, specifying the increased repre-
sentatiou allo we'd to the cities, as adopted
by the convention of two years ago. The
call was signed by four members OF the
county committee.
Justice John Gilbert of Ridgefiald was
made temporary chairman, and had a
warm time OF it as the convention was
ia an uproar most of the me it was in
session.
Judge Walsh moved that the conven-
tion proceed to name the committees un-
der the temporary Organization. AttOr-
ney Toomey of Bridgeport moved for an
adjournment OF 20 minutes to enable the
delegates OF the 18th district TO name
their committees. This was carried.
The delegates of the 18th and 10th dis
tricts then went into caucus. In the
former caucus a hot time ensued and an
adjournment was made without result.
The convention came together again at
l.6O, when a motion WAS passed, after a
warm debate, that when the committees
Of the convention organize, the 18th dis
trict be left without representation. A
recess OF Chree-quarters of an hour was
then taken, but 1t was after when the
convention reasaembled.
On coming together after dinner a hot
time ensued over the question of the per-
mauent officers Of the convention. The
majority of the committee on permanent
organization presented the name OF John
J. Walsh, and the minority the name of
Ex-senator Michael j. Houlihan OF New
town. On the first ballot SO votes were
cast. John J. Walsh received 40, M. j.
Houlihan 43, with three blank or mutt
lated ballots. Those favorable to Lee
maintained that Mr. HOulihan was nom
mated, while the CoughIn faction per.
sistently claimed there was no election
After lengthy debate second ballot was
taken, and two more ballots were found
in the hat than there were delegates. A
vote by roll call was then demanded by
the Coughiln faction, and they won ,Johr
}. Walsh receiving AZ votes and M. j
Houlihan 80. City Clerk Mullins was
next named as permanent secretary
John l.. Thocnhlll of Brookfeld with
drawing his name.
Resolutions were ado pied realfi -ming
and adopting the plato IN of the STATE
democratic convention held at Bridge
port and pledging the support of thu
convention to the candidate who shoulC
be named for sheriff.
The committees on permanent organi
zation we're:
Credentials; Walter B. Lashar o
Bridgeport, G. X. Hawley of Danbur,
and M. II. Bracken of Fairfield.
Resolutions: Walter Stapleton o
Bridgeport, ii. A. Gilbert OF Bethel ant
John Kehoe of Norwalk.
Permanent organization: r. G. Mul
Inns OF Bridgeport, w. I'll. Glover of New
town and James Toner Of Norwalk.
Nominations for the candidate of shel
Toomey arose and presented the name c
Hon Patrick Coughlin of Bridgeport
He said in presenting Mr. Coughlin the
were bringing forward man who ha
never known defeat. He had serve
Bridgeport az seleetman, on her board {
education and was elected mayor by tn
largest maj 1rltv ever given democrat
nominee. In so years, Mr. TOomey d.
clAred, the republicans had never electe
but two sheriffs In this county, and VIII
Mr. Cougblin as a leader, he predicte
victory. He declared Mr. Uoughlin's Iii
was as an open book. He spoke OF tt
candidate as good speaker and said
would take the stump. II nominated
predicted Mr. Coughlin would 60 out
Bridgeport with 1000 sjority.
Town Treasurer ThornbiI Of BrOo
field presented the name OF Represent
tive James Lee TO the convention as
candidate for sheriff. He said his ca
dIdate was business man of ability al
integrity. He had stood nobly by &
democratic party and was we'll quali6
for the responsible office. He had repl
sented Brookfleld In the Legislature (
the last four years. In ITO years Broc
field had not had representation on g
state or county democratic ticket.
closir Mr. ThornhilI predicted that
Mr. Lee was nominated he would be ele
ed by a large majority.
Hendricks Wildman seconded the no
nation Of Mr. Lee. he pointed out I'll
the democratic party could not afford
snub the small towns. As the train I'll
was drawing near the delegates ask
MIR WildmAn TO cork up his oratory, o
the balloting began. 1t resulted In
CouEhlin's nomination as follow:
Coughlin 40
Lee 80