The times., 1899-06-16
MEsTRRAT THEIR CHOICE.
Pennsylvania Democrats Name Him
forEsupremc Court Judge.


forSSupremc Court Judge.
Harrisburg, PA, June 15.-Justice Of the
Supreme Court Stephen L. Mestrezat, OF
Fayette county, for judge of the Superior
Court, Charles J. Reilly, of Lycoming
county; for State Treasurer, William 7.
Greasy, of Northumberland county.
This is the ticket agreed upon by the
Democratic State convention this evening
after hard fought battle lasting since
noon of yesterday and embracing countless
skirmishes during the last few weeks
With the certainty of an office for twenty
one years, which is the term for which
the justices OF the Supreme Court are
elected, and with salary OF $4,000 at.
tached, it is little wonder that the lawyers
in the minority party were out in force
on the firing line. No State convention
has ever been held in this city Of con-
ventions which included in its list of dele
gates SO many distinguished lawyers and
bright young men. 1t was this fact which
gave the convention its high character
and doubtless prevented the turbulent
scenes which are incident to contests
such as that which was brought to close
this evening by the nomination of Judge
Mestrezat. 1t was a self-respecting con-
vention and the party leaders feel that
tuey nave mdue a SOOu start LOT the great
er campaign OF next year.
When the convention adjourned at IL
o'clock last night after taking eleven bal
lots the controversy over the selection of
a candidate for the highest court was no
nearer solution than when the convention
assembled. Harmonious as the proceedings
were, there was still determination on
the part OF certain aspirants for the prin-
cipal place on the ticket and their sup
porters to stand out to the bitter end
against any combination which would favor
one section of the State against any other
section. 1t was suspected by those who
were supporting Judge Krebs, of Clear
field, that Colonel Guffey, the recognized
leader of the party, was at heart for Judge
Yerkes, of Bucks, and they formed COM
pact wall of delegates stretching across
the centre OF the State and making impos-
sible the nomination OF a candidate east
of the Allegheny Mountains. That is the
secret of Mestrezat's success. He was the
second choice OF the Krebs men from the
start, and they massed their forces to re-
sist any stampede in any direction except
toward the Fayette jurist. Those who
stood behind the Krebs wall were Con-
gressman-elec J. p. Hall, of Elk; former
Congressman James Kerr, Thomas Greevy.
of Blair and a score OF other experienced
and skillful leaders. 1t was pretty fight,
and when 1t was finally over Colonel Guffey
said each successive step was just as he
desired. So everybody was satisfied, and
the tired delegates left for their homes to-
night full of enthusiasm for the ticket.
The balloting continued all day and the
deadlock seemed hopeless. There were ru-
mors of an agreement, but ballot after bal
lot was recorded without a break of any
significance. Delegations changed from
one candidate to another but there was no
general drift toward any candidate until
evening, when Mestrezat began to accumu-
late strength. First one county Joined his
supporters and another until he had IA of
the 21s necessary to a choice. This was
on the twenty-seventh ballot. 1t became
evident then that he was to be the nom
inee and before the twenty eighth ballot
had proceeded far Congressman Ermeu-
trout withdrew his brothers name and
threw the nineteen votes. of Berks county
to Mestrezat This was the beginning of
wild stampede to the winner and Mes
trezat was nominated in a whirlwind of
enthusiasm.
Reilly for superior court judge and
Greasy for State Treasurer were nominated
by acclamation. George r. Dixon, of Elk,
presented sCreasy's name in an eloquent
speech after Withdrawing his own name as
a candidate.
Judge Mestrezat is about fifty-one years
old and has been on the bench of Fayette
county five years. He is an able jurist.