The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-05-12
LESTER NAMED
AT CONVENTION
THREE HOURS OF oRAToRY
MARKED THE NOMINATING OF
LESTER AND BRANNEN.

Permanent Chairman mt Reds
willie ConventiOn-RinEin Speech
es Put Candidates in Nomination.
Col. Estiu Endorsed as Delegate
from state at Large TO NatiOnnr
Convention.
With a flow of oratory, Col. Rufus
E. Lester OF Chatham and Hon. J. A.
Brannen of Bulloch were placed in
nomination for Congress from the
First Congressional district at Reds
Vile yesterday
The call of the counties showed IS
votes for Lester and IA for
Brannen. Col. Lester was renominat-
ed, and will serve his district in the
Fffty-ninth Congress. The convention
lasted nearly three hours, during
which time tributes were paid to both
men.
That the convention passed off
90 pleasantly after heated
and close campaign was almost
as surprising as it was graft
flying. 1t was not to be expected
that the friends and supporters of Mr.
Brannen would be so jubilant as those
of Col. Lester, and it was pleasing to
those whose aim is harmony TO note
She feeling Of good fellowship that
prevailed when the convention had ad-
aourned.
Convention Called TO order.
The convention was called to order
at noon by Col. ]. H. Estill of Chat
tive Committee. The bell in the
tower of the new and hand
some Court House at the coun-
4y seat of Tattnall had not
ceased sounding when the gavel of the
chairman dropped and hush fell upon
those assembled in the spacious court
room. Col. Estill stated that as chair
man of the Democratic Executive Com
mittee it was his duty to call the con-
vention to order. It was announced
that nominations for a temporary
chairman We're in order.
Col. Robert L. Colding, of Chatham,
was placed in nomination by Hon. w.
l. McElmurray, of Burke, and Judge
e. X. OVerstreet, of Screven, was
nominated by Hon. Alfred Harrington,
VI A1i4ldiluEl. DUH llOIlllldlIoDS were
promptly seconded and the question of
how to vote was taken up. There was
some discussion on this point and the
chairman ruled that the decision Of
voting should be left with the counties.
1t was a matter, he ruled, that the
counties must determine.
Col. COIdinE Was Named.
The roll of counties was called. and
as each county was named a repre-
sentative of the delegation announced
the choice Of the county. The eighteen
Lester votes went to Col Coldng and
the fourteen Brannen votes to Judge
Overstreet. Col. Colding thanked the
convention for the honor done him
and said that he accepted the contest
as a good-natured one. He relieved
the chairman of the duty of presiding.
The nomination of a secretary was
next called for and Mr.. D. G. HEIDI.
r., CO bingham was nominated Nv
dT. Robert NJ. Martin of Chatham.
The nomination was promptly second
ed, and Mr.. HEIDI was unanimously
chosen.
Vote TO Retiring Chairman.
Mr.. w. L. Gignilliat of Efingham
county stated that 1t was but proper
for those in attendance upon the con-
vention to express their approval of
the faithful and efficient services rem
dered by Col. Estil as chairman of
The Executive Committee He said that
the manner in which Col. Estill had
presided over the destinies of the COM
mittee for a number of years called for
vote of thanks. Such faithful serv-
ice should be rewarded In some way,
he said. and vote of thanks was
moved
Several of the delegates seconded the
motion. Judge S. b. Brewton of Lib
erty said it was with the greatest
pleasure that he seconded such a mo-
ton. 1T is my pleasure to have served
under Col. Estill for a number of
years" said Judge Brewton. He has
been prompt in season and out of sea-
son. He has made his duties as chair
man paramount. 1t is perfectly be-
fitting that a rising vote of thanks be
extended our retiring chairman" The
vote was unanimous.
Chairman Thanked Delegates.
Col. Estill thanked the delegates for
their vote of confidence and esteem.
II assure you l appreciate the honor"
he said. Il have tried earnestly to
do my duty wherever l have been
placed. / have tried as hard as If II
had been my one aim in life. l will
probably never be your chairman
again, and l retire knowing that
tried in every way TO do that which
COnSldereQ right. again thank You
for your vote" The retiring chairman
was loudly applauded when he took
his seat.
The chair then appointed as a Com
mittee on Credentials. the following:
w. J.. McElmurray of Burke James
l. Foster of Mcintosh, A. ]. Brown
of Bryan, z. X. Overstreet of Screven
and r. Lee Moore of Bulloch. The
committee retired and inspected the
credentials of the delegations from the
ten counties composing the First Con-
gressional district. The report of the
committee being that all the creden-
tials were correct, the meeting adopted
the report.
Delegates who Attended.
The following delegates were in at
tendance, or were represented by
proxies. held as indicated:
The Lester delegates
Liberty County (two votes)-J. w.
Laing, j. c. Hines. ]. r. Ryan, s. b.
Brewton, e. P. Miller, II. C. Smith,
q w. A. Jones by ]. c. Hines, ]. f. War
nell by S. B. Brewton, T. N. Winn by
J. R. Ryan.
Chatham (six votes)-Edward Ka-
row, S. P. Brazell, Charles H Sipple,
Robert L. Colding, T. ]. Sweeney by
John Heery, George Lehwald by r.
N. Martin.
Bryan 1.-TWO votes)-W. p. Dukes and
A. J. Brown.
Burke -four votes)-W. r. Noel
murray, w. r. Galloway by w. l.. Nc
Flmurray, w. NJ. Fulcher by w. L.
McElmurray, j. d. Munnerlyn by w.
J.. McElmurray.
E.finOhayyo