The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-11
MORTON WINS OUT
IN HIS CONTEST
New Hanover Senatorship
Controversy.
SETTLED BY COMMITTEE
Nearly Three Hours of Argument and
Discussion.
THE. SECOND DISTRICT cohvNTIoN
SETTLED BY COMMITTEE
THE SECOND DISTRICT cohvsNTIoN
The Committee Gives Permission For it to be
Held at an Fairly Date. The Convention
Today Will be Held in The Acad-
envy Of Music.

envy Of Music.
The New Hanover Senatorial con-
troversy was settled last night by the
State Democratic executive commit
tee. The decision was in favor of Geo.
L. Morton.
The committee met in the Senate
Chamber and was in session from
s to 1880 O'Clock.
Members of the committee present were
as follows: c. l.. Alternately, F. G..
James, Col w. B. Rodaan T. w. Mason,
F. p. Winston, DR.. r. H. Speight, JAS A.
Bryan, j. A.. Murchison, D. H. Mclean,
j. r. Young, E. C. Beddingfeld, F. S.
Spruill Wiley Rush, ]. S. Manning w.
A. Bobbitt, A. w. Haywood w. H. Neal,
G. b. Patterson, Col. Paul b. Means, o.
F. Mason, w. G. Newland, w. T.. Lee, M.
H. Justice, w. f. Moore, C. B.. Watson,
e. j. Hale, r. r. Cotton, j. r. Webster,
w. G. Lamb, r. l.. Holt. F. A. Woodland,
C. e. Foy, C. c. Lyon, Gen. j. S. Carr,
Heriot Clarkson.
Present by Proxy B. B. Winbourn, by
L. J. Lawrences N o. Berry, by w. R.
Allen W. H. Bernard by Fred L. Mer-
rift: E. @. Smith, by B. R. Lacy; DR.. j.
e. Green. by w E. Daniel; Clement
Manly, by c. B. Watson; j. r. Lewellyn,
by S. Gallert; W. W. Barber, by w. H.
Brewer.
The first matter taken up was the
question as to where the convention
should be held-in the Academy of
Music or in the open air! .
Some favored a convention in Capl-
- Il nd 1T{
that. the meeting should be held in a
building; that the confusion and dis
order outdoors would be SO great as
to make it impossible to properly
transact the business that must come
before the convention.
After more than an hours discus
sion this latter argument prevailed
and it was decided to hold the con-
yention in the Academy of Music. The
secretary was instructed to set apart
and mark for each county seats to
accommodate as many delegates as
that county is entitled to under the
plan of organization. There will be
no tickets of admission issued as was
at first intended.
IL is very much to be regretted but
it Is fact that the Academy of Music
is the largest public building availa-
BILE Tor the convention in the city. The
AcaCemy will seat only about 1,500
pergOns. The ninety-seven counties
of the State are entitled to OH votes.
Under these circumstances, it is abSo-
lutely necessary to an orderly con-
vertlOn that each county be allotted
one seat for every vote it is entitled to
cast in the convention. The secretary
of the committee, Mr.. Thompsonfi will
set apart for each of several counties
seats for as many delegates as the
county is entitled to under the plan
OF organization.
THE MEARES-MORTON CONTEST.
This matter having been settled.
Chairman Simmons arose and stated
that he desired to lay before the conn
mittee a question that had arisen in
New Hanover county over the Sena-
tOrial nomination.
'.In doing this | deem it my duty
to state the facts in the case, which
seem to be about these: New Han
over and Brunswick counties COM
pose one Senatorial district and they
alternate in the selection of the Sena-
tor. This is New Hanover's time to
choose the Senator and FOR this pur
kbOSe NEW hanover menu III
this primary Iredell Meares received
certain number of votes and George
J.. Morton received certain number
of votes. In the New Hanover con-
vention the question arose as to how
many delegates each of these candi-
dates shall have. The convention adj
journed without appointing the dele
gates. leaving their appointment to
In nlo. ha hoi,
Mr.. Woodward, now submits to me
certain questions as to how to divide
the vote. / have indicated him my
opinion, but the answer was
lot satisfactory and will not
be here submitted for the reason that
do not wish to influence the commit
tee"
Mr.. Simmons then read the follow
ing letter from Mr.. w. j. Woodward,
chairman for New Hanover. county,
fully stating the situation:
Wilmington. N. c., April 4th, 1900.
Hon. +. NJ. Simmons, Chairman State
Democratic Executive Committee, Raj
eigh, n. c.
Dear Sirs-You are aware we have held
our county primaries, also our county
convention. Doubtless you have seen in
the papers reference made to the two
candidates voted for at the primaries of
this Senatorial district, which embraces
New Hanover and Brunswick counties
We have gotten into considerable mud
die, and as chairman of the county con-
yention, I am forced to call upon you
for a. ruling as to what l shall certify to
the district convention. At the primaries
held at the different precincts in New
Hanover county, the candidates received
the following votes: Morton, 1868:
Meares, 1029-entitling them to represen-
tation at the district convention of %
and % delegates respectively as l un-
derstand the plan of organization. At the
county convention, when the votes for
these candidates were to be taken by the
delegates to the convention, motion was
made to declare Mr.. Morton the nomi-
nee of the convention. A resolution was
then offered giving the vote as hereto
fore stated: To Morton, % delegates. and