The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1899-10-24

Democrats form q Ticket.
5 The Democrats assembled in convention
on Saturday. There had been plenty OF
, indications that there would be a stormy
: time before the ticket was named, and
those who went to the court house with
the hope of seeing some fun were not dis
. appointed Charles Stokes, as secretary
of the central committee, named Jerome
B. Grigg, of Northampton, as temporary
chairman.
Before this nomination could be accept
ed by the convention Jacob G. Hendrick
son was on his feet to propose the name
of Benajah P. Wills for the same position
, In support of his man, Jacob called atten-
tion to the fact that the delegates had
some voice in this matter of selecting a
chairman and the freedom of the conven-
ton demanded an expression of the senti-
ments of the delegates
William F. Morgan said the rules of the
party for a long time had provided for the
selection Of chairman by the central
l committee. He saw no reason for the rule
to be subverted now, and hoped the con-
lyention would stick to the old custom.
Mr.. Grigg, who had gone to the con
vention with the evident idea that there
would be no friction so far as he was con-
cerned, looked rather vexed at the turn af-
fairs had taken and asked to speak on the
subject. He said he was not delegate
nor had he asked for the position of chair
man, in fact he did not particularly want
it. But he hoped the delegates would be
Democratic enough to see that the gag
law now being attempted would not be
allowed to succeed. As long as he could
remember it had been a principle and
rule of the party to name the chairman in
this manner. AS a member of the central
committee Mr.. Grigg said he was indebt-
ed to Mr. Hendrickson, who now demand
ed the seating of Mr.. Wills Mr.. Hen
erickson was chairman of the last conven-
ton, elected by the same system that he
now tries to abolish or set aside. 1t was
Democratic enough for him last year, why
not now Mr.. Grigg said he was not seek
ing the position of chairman but he want
ed the convention to see the 'nigger in the
woodpile." He would leave it to the con
vention to decide whether it was neces-
sary or advisable to change the rule at
this time. He wanted to call attention to
the fact that the very man who had been
named to GUST him had given evidence
that he was not true Democrat. In the
recent contest in the Board of Freeholders
for county collector this man Wills had
said he would rather see Republican
elected than to have Charles B. Ballinger
occupy the office.
Judge Wills was delegate to the CON
vention and he at once jumped to his feet
to answer this charge. THAT statement
is false, he said; because Grigg is a
traitor is no reason why he should charge
other people with being in the same boat.
1t is well known fact that Grigg has
voted for more Republicans than he can
count on his fingers and toes, and he had
better clean his own doorsteps before he
tries to purify those of his neighbors."
Things were beginning to have a lurid
hue, when a delegate by the name of Shu-
bert called attention to the fact that the
delegates had not assembled to air their
grievances and create discord, and suggest
ed that the convention get down to bust
ness
But Jacob Hendrickson was not ready
to go into love feast. He had some things
to say and he proposed to be heard if it
broke the party up right there. He did
not deny the impeachment that he was
chairman of the last convention, but he
related how he had been called upon by a
few Of the central committee who had
made him pledge himself to reappoint the |
central committee. Without such pledge |
he never could have been made chairman |
To still continue this perpetual motion |
business and keep good men from Sc
curing place on the central committee |
was not conducive to the good of the party. |
One of the greatest evils of the day is the |
action of some members of the party whose |
chief delight is in denouncing other men |
as bad Democrats. A sample of this had |
been seen right here on the floor of the |
convention, and he wanted it understood |
that no man could successfully lead his
party to victory by defining who are and |
who are not Democrats. He wanted to
remind those present that he had not |
challenged the Democracy of Mr.. Grigg. |
The latter gentleman had done that him
self. In his judgment the only proper |
thing to do was to name new man who |
would select central committee for the |
benefit of the party and not for the per-
sonal ends of and at the dictation of Sam
uel Wetherill
This suggestion was jumped at by a |
delegate who nominated Thomas ]. Prick |
EFT.
Mr.. Grigg got in another word He de-
sired to set himself straight on one point. |
The remarks about Judge Wills preferring |
a Republican to Mr. Ballinger were not |
his own. He received his information |
from Samuel R. Wetherill
John w. Harris raised point of order |
that this was not the time to discuss the |
question OF chairman. The committee |
on permanent organization should be APP |
pointed. When it reported would be the |
time to say whether the report should be |
accepted or rejected.
Thomas ]. Prickett gained the floor and |
endorsed the remarks of Harris. Until |
rules are adopted those of previous CON
ventions must govern.
Mr.. Morgan called on Mr. Stokes to ode
eide that Grigg is chairman, and the pre-
siding officer did as requested
Mr.. Grigg again came forward to take |
charge of the convention, this time with |
the assurance that he was not to be remov-
ed or his title even disputed. '1t is always
an honor, he said, "to preside over a
Democratic convention, but when we con-
slider how man is called on to preside, as
in the present case, it is somewhat of
questionable. honor. | do not know
whether this attack has been personal
one, but no man will hold his hands high
er in applause than if the delegates de-
eide to control this convention. Iapprove
OF true Democracy but have no federation
for secret session methods. The principles
OF democracy were given birth in the con-
stitutlon Of the United States and the
principles of the Republicans are inimical
to them: Mr.. Grigg paid glowing trib
ute TO William J. Bryan as the represent
ative OF honest principles man broader
than his party. The convention had as
sembled to name candidates, and Mr. Grigg
urged the naming of men of the type of
William ]. Bryan.
Walter w. Mars, of Burlington, and
John O'Leary, Jr., of Southampton, were
chosen secretaries and the roll was called
to ascertain whether all the townships
were represented.