The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-05-10
POPULIST CONVENTION
Two FACTIONS HAD A HOT TINE
YESTERDAY
One Side Boldly Lead TO the Fray by
Chief Of Police Mr.. Joe King,
-3r. steers tho other Side-Capture Of
the Convention by One Side and a
Bolt by the Other-What Went on.

yr.. steers tho Other Stde-Capture OF
the Convention by One Side and a
Bolt by the Other-What Went on.
The popufst county convention was
held Yesterday at 2 o'clock in the court
house and towards the first 1t was O.
'4warm humber. In fact there were
two factions, the first of Which held a
meeting about l O'Clock and agreed upon
Mr.. Joe King, Jr.; for chairman, but the
second faction also held a meeting and
decided hat their champion, Chief of
Police JJhn r. Melton, was the imposing
person for that imposing position.
Both sides gathered their hosts early
In the game, and from the way each mud
died in different parts of the room and
viewed each other contemptuously it. was
plain to see that the course OF true love
wasn't going to FUR smoothly, altogether
running or running over would very like
by happen. The coming of 2 o'clock was
impatient1y awaited by the representa-
tives of both sides, like pugilists expect
ing the cali of time.
The retiring chairman, L. r. Mason,
Teclined in a big arm chair, and called
play BALI exactly to the second.
Instantly arose Mr.. Joe King, Jr., and
motioned that the chair appoint a COM
mittee on credentials.
Up popped Chief Melton to ra0ge that
such a m be elected.
Chairman Mason was taking entirely
too long to gather his wits on the mo-
mentOuS question, so cries for the ques-
ton arose from Mr.. Kings followers.
With a salutation of 'Oh, you bugger,
Wen get you yet" up like a cork in the
water bobbed Chief Melton.
Chairman Mason took heart and amid
rip roaring confusion placed the question,
which brought forth a volley of ayes.
Chief Melton rallied his men by shout
ing, Vote it down." and a roar of
noes" ensued.
The chair declared the motion carried,
and while Chief Melton was attempting
to tritely explain that parliamentary
rules justified him in requesting a poll
of the votes, appointed Messrs. ]. w.
Taylor, Joe King, Jr.i Eli Sullivan,
tial committee.
Credentials galore were presented,
which were swept in by the committee,
which then retired to deliberate and in
VeStigate.
The committee being absent, Chief
Melton INDUCED in several jokelets at
the expense of the other side. Chairman
Mason was also made the target of soft
remarks, such as pudding head etc.
Chief Melton and Sergeant of Police
r.. f. Gore. the retiring secretary, could
not reconcile themselves to the fact that
only true populists had been designated
to serve on the credential committee. The
former, however, INDUCED the latter
with the entertaining speech, 1--WE have
got all the precincts except one" But
the latter was Gored on to nervousness
and went so far as to doubt the inten-
tions of the committee by exclaiming,
They will rule us out" The cohort of
the chiefs were making derisive remarks
when Mr.. Taylor, of the committee,
made his entrance searching for a miss
ing credential. Sergeant Gore produced
the document, and the gentleman re-
tired.
Next Mr.. King entered and stated that
the committee was ready to report, but
would hear any remarks from the oppO-
sftion before doing so.
Hastily making preparation, by desig-
mating certain persanages to follow,
Chief Melton boldly lead the way before
tive and Dispatch representative by
strategy, managed to mingle with "de
gang" and yet behind the closed doors.
After everybody was comfortably en-
sconced in chairs the question arose what
are we here for? Both sides labored un-
der the impression that the other want
a wrangle along this line hey all went
forth to the fray-by returning to the
court room.
Mr.. King announced that the commit
tee was ready to report and, while dis
order reigned supreme, read out the
names of the following delegates entitled
to recognition, each of the first named in
the respective precincts being chairman
of the executive committee and the
Others delegates. viz:
First Ward-First precinct. w. j. Orr,
L. II. Bryant and w. d. George; second
precinct, j. II. Harper, (names of two
delegates we failed to obtain; third.
fourth and fifth precincts, not repre-
Second ward-R. b. Davis and T. w.
Wood.
Third Ward-First precinct, B. f.
Keith; second precinct, J. II. Holton.
Fourth Ward-First precinct. Ct. C.
Hewlett and w. A. Branch; second pre-
cinct, no representation.
Fifth Ward-First precinct, F.. T. Ma
son and DR.. Wright Hall; second pre-
cinct, J. w. Taylor, l.. w. Tbayp and
c. l.. Frost; third precinct, Joe King, Jr.,
f. M. Mott and J. c. Walton: fourth pre-
cinct, T. F. Bell and Solomon Goodwin.
Cape Fear Township-F. j. Dempsey.
Harnett TownshipeNo representation.
Federal Point Township-W. j: Taylor.
Masonboro Township-Eli Sullivan.
During the reading of the list Chief
Melton kept asking unnecessary ques-
tions, as ''When did you meet?' etc. He
was ruled out of order, but this did not
disturb his persistency.
Mr.. J. w. Taylor nominated Mr.. Joe
King, Jr.. for chairman. which gentleman
anage to attain the presiding officers
position. Then Mr.. Taylor was nominal
ed for secretary and elected by the anti
Melton crowd. which elected Sergeant
Gore as secretary.
The chair declared Captain R. B. Davis
and Messrs. J. w. Taylor, S. ]. Bryan, S.
w. Noble a~i T.. Tiarp as a m
ON pla ,rm and resolutions.
Up, unheralded. arose Policeman c. n.
Gilbert and moved for all populists to
leave the room. This was not popular
enough for Chief Melton, so he eXcitedly
exclaimed. while the scene resembled a
panic in the stock Exchange" Leave
the room in the hands of vandals!'
Chairman King announced that any
steps taken to break up the meeting
would be prosecuted. So like a paradox
ON the Charge of the Light Brigade
all the MeltonS, which We must say was
a very large number. went from the nall,
stentoriously vociferating derisive re-
marks.
After this affairs quieted down. The
mmit on platform made the follow
ing report, which was adopted:
Whereas, The peoples party in New
Hanover county and the just and wise
principles of government it stands for
have been retarded, and to a degree
brought into dispute by the vile and
selfish acts of certain persons who have
assumed to Zoe it's leaders, but who are
manifeStly traitors to the peoples party,
and