Connecticut western news., 1914-10-08
WEXFORD ENDORSED
Democrats Accept Progressive Nom
 inee for Senator.

| inee for Senator.
 Henry R. Whitford, Progressive nominee for Senator from the 31st dis trict, was endorsed by the democratic senatorial convention held here yester- day.
 The convention was called to order at II o'clock in Town Hall by State Com mitteeman E S. Roberts, and Prof. J. G. Estill, of Salisbury was chosen chairman; George R. Smith, of Corn wall, secretary.
 After the preliminary functions of appointing committees on permanent organization, credentials and resolu- tions, and the reports of those oom- mittees, the chair called for nominn- tions of candidates. It had been made manifest by canvass of the delegates, before the opening of the meeting, that the sentiment was largely in favor of the endorsement of Mir. whitford, tho argument being that such course would secure the Progressives' county endorsement for C. O. Middlebrools for sheriff.
 Mir. George H. Beers, of Cornwall, placed Mir. Whitford in nomination. He said the gentleman had not always worked with us, as democrats, but he thought endorsement the wisest course under present conditions. ..
 MT. W. k. Willis, of Colebrook, seconded the Whitford nomination.
 Chairman Estill then asked Secretary Smith to preside while he took the floor and nominated ex-Senator Charles w. Barnum, of Lime Rock He said he represented number of democratic friends of MT. Barnum, who thought that inasmuch as there was no demo crat who wanted the nomination the party should support MT. Barnum. He said he had cast his first vote for Grover Cleveland for President The man who had made 1t possible for Cleveland to be elected was 'Nm. III. Barnum, father of his candidate, and the efforts put forth in that campaign had cost the elder Barnum bis life His son, who has with fairness and justice. served his district and had even been seriously considered as a can didate for governor, was a democrat until 1896 when the free silver issue drove him into the republican ranks; but being the son of his father he has good democratic blood in his veins, while Mir. Whitford has always hereto fore been copper-riveted republican, and we should prefer a democratic republican to republican-P Progressive democrat. If we nominate MT. Barnum we shall have some claim up on him, though the republicans may endorse him.
 Dr. Hubert, of Winsted, said he had cast his first vote for Tilden, who was successfully and ingloriously defeated by the party to which Mir Barnum be- longs. MT. Barnum has not been nom- mated by the republicans, but he will be if we take him up, that's sure. As to MT. Whitford, he stands between two fields-the democratic and the re- publican. If we treat him nicely we may coax him over into our lot. Why did the republicans change the date of their convention? Simply to see what we were going to do.
 MT. Beers rose to point of order. He said that inasmuch as the Barnum nomination had not been seconded, Mir. Barnum's name be stricken from the list of nominees.
 The chair thought no seconding speech was necessary, but MT. Beers appealed from the decision, and by rising vote the motion was overwhelm- ingly carried.
 Mir. Beers then moved that the con vention endorse MT. Whitford, and the affirmative vote was SO strongly in the majority that the negative vote was not called for.
 A ommittee-Messrs. Hubert, Beers and Wanger-was appointed to bring MT. Whitford before the convention. The candidate was greeted with cheers, and made speech, in which he said the action of the convention was great surprise to him and he considered it a great compliment that men of the caliber represented at the convention should do such an honor to one like himself. He had been sought out even at the Great Burlington fair, by men who wanted to know what this conven- tion would do. He said he would go to Hartford unpledged and independent. if elected, and paid a glowing tribute to Sheriff Middlebrooks.
 After adjournment the delegates re- paired to the Wangum for dinner, on invitation of MT. Whitford.