Middletown transcript., 1912-09-14
DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION
How Salisbury Won Narrow Vic
tory in a Desperate Contest

The following report of the Democratic
State Convention is taken from Wednes-
days Every Evening:
DOVER, Sept. 1.-THE great battle
fought in the Democratic State Conven-
ton is over, and as the smoke of the
conflict rises from the battlefield il
reveals situation that is disheartening
to the many Democratic voters-tlat oi
the party feeling aud splendid prospects
of party victory dissipated by personal
ambition and selfish political scheming.
State Senator Thomas NJ. Monaghan of
Wilmington was nominated as the Demo
cratic candidate for governor upon the
floor of the convention, but his nomina-
ton has caused a bitter ruction in the
party, because he was not nominated as
the choice OF Delaware Democrats, but as
the choice of certain political leaders, who
are willing to sacrifice everything else to
gain their personal ends.
The struggle against Monaghan at the
convention was one of the most bitter,
most determined and most unfortunate
that have ever occurred in the State.
MonagI an had the backing of the bosses,
but the opposition forces were backed by
the sentiments of the rank and file of the
party. Their fight put up to the latter,
struggling against such odds, was one of
the most remarkable ones that were ever
waged on the floor of a political conven-
ton in this town.
Won in County Caucus
On the first vote in the New Castle
county caucus Monaghan received only
80 votes, in spite of the great battle
waged in his behalf. 1t was three less
than a majority. On the second ballot
he received 81, two more than majority,
and the manipulstions that gave him
these four additional votes gave him the
prize in the end. Without the prestige
of the caucus choice he wonld have been
beaten in the convention, as Kent and
Sussex did not want to accept him, and
in spite of much wire pulling and the
plentiful use of political influence"
each county placed its choice for COVER
nor before the convention-Joseph E.
Holland of Sussex county and Benjamin
A. Hazel of Kent
The first ballot taken in the convention
is history. In spite OF the eloquent
speakers in Monsghan's behalf; in spite
of the threats which were freely made;
in spite of the tremendous influence that
was brought to bear upon the convention
by certain political sources, Monaghan
landed only 80 of the necessary SO votee.
Mr.. Hazel, who has made no campaign
whatever, whose name had scarcely been
mentioned in connection with the Office
until selected by the Kent county caucus,
which was as great surprise to him as
to anyone else, received 65 votes, only Is
less than Monaghan received with the
tremendous fight.
The ticket as nominated follows: For
Presidential Electors, Spottswood Gar
land, of Wilmington; James Fl. Hughes,
Of Dover; Irving Culver. of Delmar.
Governor, Thomas NJ. Monaghan, of
Wilmington.
Lieutenant-G ,vernor, Colen Ferguson,
of Blackbrd.
Congress. Franklin Brockson, of Clay
ton.
Attorney General, Josiah O. Wolcott,
of Wilmington.
State Treasurer, Charles A Hastings,
of Laurel.
Auditor of Accounts, W. Poole Pretty
man, Of Millville.
Insurance Commissioner, William R. |
McCabe, of SeIbyvile.