The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-07-07
Nomination Almost Forced on Hill
But He Declined.

carried off its feet.s But again there was
heard a counter storm of .protestation and
disoordant Kisses. For ten minutes the
demonstration to Towne lasted with
varying degrees of intensity. Meantime
attention was being directed to an ex-
cited group lnassed IN front of the New
York section with Hill as the vortex of q
struggling throng of delegates. They
pressed forward from all quarters of the
hall urging him to permit his name to be-
placed before the convention. The face of
the New Yorker was a study as the de
mandS upon him came from all sides. He
sat in the front row of delegates with ex-
Senator Murphy on his right and Judge
Van Wyck on his immediate left. A sec
ond seat away was Mr.. Croker. Hill pro-
tested yOclferOuslys Judge Van Wyck
said he could not refuse. Murphy and
Croker pleaded with him to obey the viii
of the convention and accept While the
pleadings continued, the call of Delaware
was heard above the roar and Delaware
yielded her place to New York. At this
point the bulky form OF Senator Grady,
the silver tOngued orator Of New York,
pushed through the denseIy packed aisles
up to the platform. There was a hush
through the hall to hear what word New
York had to offer.
In behalf of the United Democracy of
New York, shouted Grady, II present
as candidate for Vice President, the
name Of David Bennett Hill. -
The effect was electrical and a tidal
wave of enthusiastic approval swept
over the convention, Delegates stood on
their chairs and waved frantically not in
a few scattered groups, but in q solid
pha4anx. Flags and standards were again
mingled in triumphant procession while
roar as from Niagara pulsat9d through
the great structure. Grady stood there
proudly waiting for the storm to sub
side. But as he waited the audience saw
a strange pantOmime They saw Hill
leave the New York delegation and push
through the throng up to the platform.
they could see him appeal TO Grady TO
withdraw, while Grady's answer was ap-
parent from the shake aOf
his head and his advance to
the front of the platform to continue his
nominating speech. When the demon
stratiOn had subs1ded, Grady completed
his speech, placing Hill before the con-
vention. But as he stepped from the plat
form the man who had just been placed
in nomination took his place. The former
Senator looked out sternly even savagely,
on the shouting thousands. When he
could be heard, he made due acknowledg-
ment of the honor done him.
But / cannot, must not be the nomi-
nee Of this convention" " he declared with
explosive emphasis. He was frequently
interrupted with enthusiastic shouts Of
approval, but when he left the platform
the delegates were firmly convinced from
his words and manner that he was
sincerely desirous OF having his name
withheld. 1t is probably this alone which
prevented nomination by accIamation
then and there, for the tempestuous
spirit manifested showed that the conven
tion was on the point OF being carried oil
its feet.
1T was. soon apparent that with Hill
out Stevenson was q strong favorite.
State after state seconded his nomination
Georgia, Indiana, Virginia, Iowa, Ken
lucky, illinois. Some of the devoted
friends Of Hill still maintained their al
legiance to him and the delegations OF
New Jersey, Louisiana and some others
seconded his nomination. A number OF
faYorite sons also were placed in nomina-