Evening journal., 1902-08-20
Of Convention
BY Bill Parsons

Df bill PARSONS
1t was a peculiar convention in
many ways. There was an absence OF
that tense spirit which frequently ex-
pressed itself in conventions putting
nerves on edge and spelling tempers.
And yet there was nothing of listless-
ness or Indifference. Indeed, IL did
one good TO hear the cheering; 20 see
dignihed gentlemen spring to their feet
and send their voices rolling out across
the Dover green.
But the most remarkable spectacle
probably ever witnessed in any con-
ventlon. came when Manlove Hayes
rose in his place to second a nomina- |
ton. Instantly all eyes were centered |
on the grand old man OF Kent" Therel
he stood doing his duty as he has al |
ways done it in every walk of life andI
no delegate but felt proud of the aged, |
but active and sterling man. Thel
nominee WAS forgotten for the moment, !
there was a burst Of applause, it grew
| louder and wilder; a delegate proposed |
three cheers for Manlove Hayes, and
umult reigned for a few minutes
Then he was allowed TO proceed with
! his speech, seconding the nomination,
1 nWN AAAAG was a. NNAANNA AAA AAAA N0AAN
not due to age. Every man felt in his
heart that had all the Republicans oil
! Delaware been inspired with the same
lofty and patriotic sentiments that havel
actuated Mir. Hayes, our troubles would
not have come upon us.
The convention was held in the hail
on the third floor of the Court House
building. called by courtesy, the OPERA
| House. The Union Republican pow
WOW was Immediately beneath. a.
group of delegates seemed eager toI
test the security Of the floor by pound
ing with their feet every time the op-
i pOrtunity offered. When asked for
/ their reason, they remarked that they
wanted to make an impression on their
4 brethren below. even if they had to
shake the plastering down on their
devoted heads.
The speeches We're in excellent taste,
brief earnest and to the point All
were urged to take the platform, but
not ali obeyed. Leonard Wales was
the only one who INDUCED in classical
Il illusions and there were whispers Of
\ '.Themistocles. but it was in excel
4 lent taste and right to the point Will
! liam Michael Byrne was not present.
Senator j. Frank Alice suggested
4 that as Philip @. Churchman was not
1 present to- open the convention, he
would perform that duty. But evil
. IDENTIFY the delegates thought Mr.. Alice
Z had enough work on his hands for the
1 present
Ned" Mitchell made a fine presiding
officer. and things went, without any
effort on his part to dictate. He is the
sort OF presiding officer who presides,
and does not waste time by trying to
[ make lOng-winded speeches.
Side by side in the convention sat
e Massey and Harrington not the Mas
soy and the Harrington that used to
e lead the Republican cohorts of Kent
z but their sons who show the strain of
e blood which leads them into the fray.
Should such gatherings meet every
= day in Dover the hotels would have to
p be enlarged, and the price Of provisions
J. has doubtless risen i'm that town The
y Republican hosts. Regular and Union,
gathered principally at the Richard
g son. while the Democrats, who were
}. holding a State Committee meeting
: were chiefly at the other houses. The
1 proprietor of the Richardson had half
r the colored gentlemen in town busy
!. travelling the road from kitchen TO
p dining room. and had the general cleo
T tion been held then. Allee's vote would
have been short Over two hundred
persons were served course dinners in
ninety minutes. and the other hotels
were busy, too.
When the up train arrived in the
3 morning there stepped forth q number
of natty gentlemen with musical in
struments. They formed in line and
+ marched to the Green. Their tune:
were of q triumphal nature, and soon il
was known that Bob Downs haC
I- hired the band to celebrate his renomi
l. nation as clerk of the peace. But il
happened that the convention con
r ferred the honor on another person
and Downs. in his chargrin forgot K
= notify his band but went in hiding
So the band played right on until peo
,s pie concluded it was i'm honor of Or
Ball.
One delegate was heard describing
-s the primary election in Milford held b!
). the Union Republicans last Saturday
/, said he: There was a man across tn
4 street selling patent medicines, litu
n farther down man was selling horses
and in the foreground people were sell
Re ing themselves, and the horses wer
worth the most money!"
is John p. Niolds, who read the resolu
IS tions in ringing tones is not candi
T. date for any Office it is said, yet b.