Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-06-15
POLITICIANS ARE PUZZLED
The Pennsylvania Democratic State
Convention at Harrisburg.
GATHERING LARGER THAN USUAL
Lively Contest for Judgeshlp
Nomination.
PRINCIPAL FEATURES OF THE PLATFORM
,,o,iatea Pres. DIspa,ca by Special wIros,

tsinty of the election of one OF its
nominees attracts to today's State
Democratic convention more than
ordinary interest. For the first time
In many years the Democracy enters
upon State campaign assured OF the
success OF Mt least portion of it's
ticket. This peculiar condition is due
to the election of two Supreme Court
Judges next November to fill the vacap
cies caused by the death OF Judge Will
liams and the retirement of Chief
Justice Sterrett next january. No
elector is entitled to vote for more than
one candidate for this office and as
there will be two elected each of the
great parties will get Que. Gov. Stone
will probably appoint the Democratic
nominee as soon as his nomination is
certified to the State Department in
which event lie would rank the nominee
Of the Republican State convention.
The governor rendered the appointment
to David I. Watson of Pittsburg lead
Ing counsel for Senator Quay In the
trial of the conspiracy cases In Phila-
delphia short time after Judge Will
liams' death. Mr.. Watson declined
and the honor was rendered to ex-
Congressman Simon p. Wolverton of
Sunbury and he too declined. Mr..
Watson did not want the Office because
he preferred to remain in active practice
and Mr.. Wolverton declined through
fear that he could not be nominated.
He was anxious TO become supreme
judge and was one of the most active
candidates before today's convention
for the nomination. The Republicans
will hold their convention late in
August or early in September to nomi-
nate their State ticket
Other candidates to be nominated by
today's convention are Superior Court
Judge and State treasurer. The seleo-
ton of the candidates for these offices
and the making of platform have
been almost entirely lost sight of in tho
exciting struggle for Supreme Court
Judge There are more than score of
active candidates in the field, and the
outcome of the convention is problem
that even the most astute politicians
cannot solve. 1t has been a free-for-
all fight from the start, and when the
convention began its work the result
was as much OF an uncertainty as ever.
National Committeeman Guffey and
other party leaders apparently kept
hands of, and there was no evidence
Of a slate or combination. The contest
seems to have infused new life into the
Democracy, as the convention is the
largest and most enthusiastic ever held
IN an off year. Only few of the can
didates are here in person directing
their campaign, but each has his politi-
cal manager with host of lieutenants
and shouters. Some have bands Of
frv 81. a. -.
the centre of the city have been filled
with music and the cheers of the poll
ticians. The best of feeling seems to
prevail among the friends of the varir
Gus candidates, and therivalry thus far
has been very friendly. One Of the
most formidable candidates is Superior
Court Judge Smith Of Scranton. II he
should be nominated, he would resign
% once from the Superior Court, and
thus assure the election of the nominee
II Judge Smith is not nominated, there
VAL be no rivalry for the Superior
Court nomination.
REPRESENTATIVE William T. Greasy Of
Columbia is almost certain Of the nomi-
nation for State treasurer. He has the
held to himself, and will probably be
nominated by reclamation.
The contest for Supreme Court Judge
may terminate more quickly than many
expect. AT noon indications favored
the nomination Of either ex- Congress-
man Wolverton or Judge Yerkes Of
Bucks. While Judge Kennedy Of Alle-
gheny may lead on the first ballot his
friends have about given up hope of
his nomination Some of the aspirants
are quietly dropping out of the contest
and after the first ballot several others
viii drop out. Calvin M. Bower of
centre and Lev. MoQuiston of Butler
have quit the fight and Judge Ermen-
trout of Berks seems to be losing
instead of gaining strength. His mana
gers have weakened his candidacy by
sseeping the free silver question to the
'front.' III the nomination should go
west Judge Mestrezat of Fayette stands
agood show.
The convention hall at 11.30 a. m.
began slowly filling up. The weather
IS intensely warm and delegates and
Spectators are Invested Of all spare
clothing.
THE CONVENTION OPENED.
The convention was called to order at
Y. 10 p. m. by State Chairman Killing.
The reading of the call by Secretary
Meyer followed, after which the list OF
temporary officers selected by the exeou-
tive committee was read.
temporary Chairman Brinton made
short speech, in which he congratu-
lated the Democracy on its magnificent
night in 1896 and 1885, The mention OF
The name of William j. Bryan as the
great leader of the Democracy was
received with widest applause.
Hugh M. North. Jr., of Columbia
Presented the chairman with gavel
made of oak taken from Wheatland, the
nome of James Buchsnan,in Lancaster
county. II think it is fitting" Mr..
North said, ''that this gavel should be
used by this convention, for James
Buchanan, the only President Penn
syivania ever sent to Washington, was
Lancaster county Democrat " This
ceremony over, the roll Of delegates was
After the announcement Of the oom-
mlttees on organization. resolutions
and credentials, the convention took
recess until 3 O'Clock.
THE PLATFORM.
The platform among other things de-
clares:
The Democracy of Pennsylvania in
convention assembled again renewing
our pledges of fidelity and devotion to
ne sacred rights of the people true to
mo faith and principles of our party as
ueciared in the platforms Of our several
national conventions and proud of our
mmatchloss leader William Jennings
.n,fyan realize that the issues involved in
we coming campaign in Pennsylvania
are honest government, clean politics
N and the retdemption of our State from