Daily Alta California, Volume 6, Number 163, 30 June 1855 — Democratic State Convention. [ARTICLE]

Democratic State Convention.

Ss.co.vn Day— Thcksdat — Aftsrkoon Session. The Convention re assembled at 2 P. M. and the Committee not having come in, on motion of Mr. Harm of .Yuba, Hon. John U Weller was called oa for a speech. Mr. Weller responded in a short speech in which he recommended that a ticket should be agreed upon, which the whole party could support. Pitched into the Know Nothings, and recommended that the Convention get rid of its members, who were also members of the Know Nothings, as quickly as pos sibls. He had no doubt there were a number of such in the Convention. The whole burden of Mr. Weller's speech was a denunciation ef the Know Nothing organization.- The Colonel said that a Know Nothing had told him a few days since that if he would quit denouncing the Know Nothings, they would elect him United Mates Senator for life. But that he would scorn to do such a thing. Mr. Weller accused the Know Nothings of being sbolkionists aad gave aa his opinion that there would be ten abolitionists in the next Senate, and that the majority of the House of Representatives would be free soii•rs and that this result wouid be brought about by the Know Nothing organization, being opposed to the Democratic party. After the Colonel bad demolished the Know Nothings, the Convention was called to order. , A communication was read from the Tuolumne Delegation, wh<? had been rejected protesting against the action of the Convention in excluding them, and aiking to have it entered on the journal. On motion the communication was laid on ihe table. . Mr. McAllister of San Francisco, presented a repoi. from the Committee on resolutions. The first seven or eight resolutions were a literal copy of the Baltimore platform resolutions of 1&32. The following are the only original ones t : Resoltrrtl, That the Democrat! of this Stile feel that the bait and bif ueit interests of California are involved in tba speedy construction of the freat Pacific Railroad ; ana that we, as a party, will, by legislation or otherwisf, five our earnest and hearty support to the accomplishment of this truly glorious enterprise. Reiolred, That we are in favor of just leg-islatire action, seeuriuf , as far as possible, the rights of actual settlers aud misers, who in good ftiih art occupying lauds in this Slate. Resolved, That all secret political otpanizatie. s, bound together by pledges and oaths, haviog fur their object the pioscription of any American citizen, are contrary to the spiiit of our free institutions, treason b!e in appearance, if notiudesifa, and should receive, as they deserve, Ihe just animadversion of all good citizens. Reso.ved, That the Democracy of California abhor aad repudiate as un American and anti-republican the ptoterip. tion of a maa for the nccidsnt of his birth, or for his religious opinion i ; and in this crisis of American liberties, institation and ideas, they re-affirm and proclaim in full force tha univ* nsl Democratic doctrine of °**qu*l right* to all under the Constitution and laws * — and declare in the immortal worda of the grea.est of American patriots, that ''any man conducting hinml< as a good citizen is accountable to tiod alone for bis religious opiuions, aod ought to be protected in woishippins; the Daily according to the dictates of his own CO2»ci«rllC«'. H Ke-ohcd, That we do now cordially invite all our former political brethren who may have strayed from us for a tim«% attracted by curiosity or otherwise, who have joined them ■ selTu to srerst political orders, to return to us and »ith us defend the principles of their former faitn, and abandoa institutions which up daily current of events is developing to be founded on intolerance and controlled by men dangerous to the pa manency and welfare of our government. Resolved, That we will neither nominate nor support any mau for office who will no* pledge htniself, and subscribe to the foregoing pUtfonn and resolutions. A Delegate moved that the platform and resolutions be unanimously adopted. Another Delegate "hoped the yeej and nays wonld be called, and each Delegate answer plainly as te whether he endorsed the platform or pot. This question being put was carried. Dr. Kendall, of Tuolumne, hoped the motion would be te-considered. It would b« impossible to get a correct vote, as there were a number of Delegates represented by proxies. Mr. Colby, of Sacramento, proposed<the following additional resolution : Resolved, That this Convention do corditlly endorie tke eourre punned by John ISi-ier in his administration of the Stale Government. Mr. Mahonoy opposed the introduction of this resolution. A platform had been adopted, and this resolution was not the kind of one to add to it. Mr. Colby withdrew the resolution. * Gov. McDougal moved that one member from each county cast the votes of the county. (Cries of no ! uo !) The roll was then called and the resolutions unani-, mousl v adopted. Mr. Uroderick wanted the names of Gov. McDougal and Dr. Kendall called. They had been omitted. They were called and both answered nflinnatively. Mr. Scott said he understood that Col. Welier had stated that there were Know Nothings in the Convention. That charge had been triumphantly refuted, aud he called on Col. Weller to make the antnd* honorable. Mr. Weller said he made the accusation on the strength of information received from a Know Nothing, and if the gentlemen whom he had charged would excuse him, he would give them his word never to believe anything a Know Nothing told him again. ' Mr. Myers, of Alameds, offered the following resolution: Kcaolved, That in the opinion of this Convention, the tine has coma when sober men and sober men only, thould be presented fur the sulirsr- > of moral aad intelligent ("icemen, and teat such be rrf arded br thi < Convention in their nominations. Uen. McDougal seconded fhe resolution. (Great laughter.] The resolution was adopted. ' Mr. Broderick moved to proceed to the nominations for Governor. Mr. McKittbtn said he had a communication to offer from Mr. Washington. The communication was read, and consisted merely of a withdrawal of bis name from the Gubernatorial list for the sake of " harmony." ■ The motion of Mr. llroderick was received carried. Mr. Cribbs, of Placer, nominated John Bigler. Mr. French) of Xl Dorado, nominated M. S. Latham. Mr. LoDg, of Sacramento, said that Mr Latham was not a candidate and would not be.

Mr. French said that he had it from good authority that Mr. Latham would accept the nomination if it were tendered him.

Mr. Latham being called on arose and said, that he had resolved on leaving the halls of ('onsrress to re same tho practice of his profession, and not to mingle actively hereafter in party contests. Several gentlemen had inquired of him if he would accept the Gu bcrnatorial nomination, and he had invariably r« plied in the negative, except in the event of the party failing to unite on any other member of their number. If nominated now he would regard it on his part as a sacrifice to the party. Mr. Scott, of Tuolumne, made a speech in favor of Mr. Latham. Mr. Kndicott nominated James Welsh, of Nevada. Mr. Dudley, of C'alaveras, moved that the roll be called by counties. An amendment was offered to Ihe effect that the votes of counties be cast either by the vote of the county as a whole, or individually, as the members might select. '1 he last resolution requiring the pledging of the candidates to support tins platform was made. Mr. Myers wanted to see Mr Walsh, who had been nominated.

Mr. Walsh appeared and handed iaVthe following: "I do hereby certify that 1 am not, nor have never been, a member of the order of Know Nothings, or any; other secret society. I have not the slightest belief that I will ever join anything of the kind James Walsh."

Mr. Long said he would vouch for Governor Bigler, and if necessary would bring him in and let him explain his position (Loud cries ef Bigler, Bigler.) Mr. I^ong went out and brought in the Govcrncar who was received with loud cheers. Governor Bigler toak the stand and said that he had never belonged to any secret society that was antagonistic to the Democratic party. He had always been a Democrat and was ready to work for the party whether as • tandard bearer or a private in the ranks. Upon leaving the stand, the Governor was loudly cheered. James P. Casey said he understood that the Governor had aaid he belonged to no secret organization Us wanted to know when the Governor resigned from that secret organization. He meant Freedom's Phalanx. Iv San Francisco that secret order had acted against the Democratic party, and had in some instance* nominated Whigs. Ho would like to know when the Governor resigned from that organization.

Mr. Mhhoney said that tha Governor had given his adherence to the platform, aud he did not believe that this Convention would call on him, or Mr. Latham, or any other candidate, to answer any irapertineut question*. Mr. Caf»ey said that lie defied any one to deny his assertion. He stated beyond contradiction that Gov Bigler had n<?vfTre«i<-ned from Freedom's Phalanx If any man said so, he vronld brand him as a litr Snch a rvsiguatioH would have to come before him and Le knew that Governor Uigler had not resigned Mr. Graham, of San Francisco, said that he knew as much about this a: any body else, and he was responsible for what he Mid, and ho would here state that Governor Bigler wag not a racmb'er of Freedom's I'lialanx. • A very exciting scene sere arose. Mr. Casey "assuming a threatening attitude, and Graham evidently preparing to stand on the defensive. For a few minutes the " harmony" of the Convention was »er;ously disturbed. Upon the excitement being quieted, Mr. Latham was called for, and stated that he was not a KnowNothing. 'On motion of Mr. Conness, it was decided that it should require n majority of all the votas cast to constitute a choice. Messrs. Heintzleman and F. Canagan, were ap pointed Tellers, and the Convention proceeded to vote. fIKHT UA.M.IiT. " Whole number of votes cast. ... . ...253 Necessary to a choice h:i Builer received li>t Lai'iam 115 WaUb .. y.l C. A. Clatkc, of Calavaras 3 Daring the progress of tho balloting there was a good ilen! of excitement, particularly when Trinity county was reached. A delegate from that county wbhed to rust the vote of an aWnt member for John Bigler, while the majority of the Convention wuhed to give it to Latham. . After a long discussion the absentee's vote was thrown out. ; ,■;• ■ ":■ „ - . There being no choice, the Convention adjourned till 10 o'clock un Friday morning. . ThimjDat— FitiD.tr. Convention re assembled in charch of Itev. Mr. Benton.at 10 A.M. . Mr. Crane, of Alameds, offered the following resolution 1 1 Ersohed, 7 ha ia case of any d«!cralion not being full, tl c member* llmrufpretent, or a majority thereof, shall determine how the vutc of any absentee shall be given. Mr. Conneas opposed the resolution. . Some member*, he said, had left and had selected members of of thtrir own delegation to cast their votes. Mr. • Field, of San Francisco, moved that the resolution be lsid on the table. The ityra and coes were called on (he motion, with tie follow ing result : ayes, liU; now, 17. So the motion was laid ou the table 1 . .-'.:.

Mr. Whiting, of Monterey fiflered the following rjsolit'on: . j j i>s .f^ - v Resolved.' That n casa of any delegate who has keen regularly .darned ia this Canstin beta* aheent tke balance of bis delegation, or a Majority thereof, shall east his vote : provided, however, it shall bo cast ia accordance with his exprewed wisfc a, (if ha shall have indicated hie wish,) ana If not, then a majority of the delegation shall direct Mr. O'Meara offered the following substitute : Resolved, That a majority of the delegates present bo allowed to cast tha vote of any and all absentees, unless snch ahar ntees have regularly appointed safetitutes. _ " Moved to lay on the table. -Carried.- * ■■ --- -■ The Chair ruled that the laying of the substitute on the table carried the original resolution. :- * Mr. George, of San Francisco, moved to proceed to ballot for Governor. Carried. . _■ .„ „_.! Mr. Eodicott withdrew the name of Mr. Walsh as a candidate for Governor. ■ '■ -■■". • :■■"« ».- .-"> - Mr. O'Meara nominated Judge Ilann, of Yuba, for CSovemcr. v, *tr — ■ i Judge 1 laaju said be had not authorised any one to put in his name, and withdrew. He came here to vote for C. 11. Bryan, for Supreme Judge, j and did not wish bis name pat forward again. * * ■ •

SICORD BALLOT.

Biffler ......;. ...157 Latham- .'. ..:.'. r. .'. . . ? '?.*.*. .'.*. .".*.*.". :: . 125 5cattering: ....... . . .". . ' .". . . . . ...... 3

So John Bigler was nominated for Governor.' The result was received with immense cheering, and on motion, John Bigler was declared the unanimous nominee. On motion, a committee of three was appointed to invite Gov. Bigler to take the stand, and the Goyer nor coming in was received with immense cheering. He took the stand and thanked the Convention for the flattering testimonial they had awarded to him. A motion to adjourn till 3 o'clock was lost. The Convention then went into nomination for Lieut. Governor. Mr. Powell, of San Joaquin, nominated Samuel Furdy, of San Joaquin. Mr. Hunter, of El Dorado, nominated J. K. Handy, of El Dorado. ; . -> Mr. Beatty nominated Mr. Yeiser, of Cala veras, but afterwards withdrew his name. ■ ' Messrs. Purdy and Handy cam* forward and de clared that they were not and never would be Know Nothings. ' ■ • • The Convention then proceeded to bo; lot.

FIRST BALLOT.

Purdy : 134 Handy 1529 - So Samuel Purdy was nominated for Lieut. Governor, and on motion the nomination was declared unanimous. . . . Mr. Yeiser being called for, came turn &rd and gave in his adherence to the nominations. Mr. Pardy also came forward and made a speech. On motion, adjourned uil 3 o'clock.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

Sacramento, June i. MJM J— 7 P.M.

The Convention met at 3 o'clock, P. M.. and proceeded to ballot for Justices of the Supreme Court. Candidates were put in nomination to fill the short term: Charles H. Bryan, of Yuba; Charles T. I'.jtU, of Son Francisco ; Alpheus Felch, of San Francisco : Myron Norton, of Los Angeles ; Eugene Casserly, of ban Francisco ; Lewis Aldricb, of Nevada. The vote stood : Bryan "...... ICI Norton 93 Botts : 13 Casserly 7 Mr. Bryan was then declared the unanimous choice of the Convention. The Convention then proceeded to nominate a candidate for the long term. ~ The names of Myron Norton and B. T. Sprague, were proposed. After ballotting, the vote was declared : Norton 188 Sprague 91 T. C. Flournoy, ot Mariposa ; J. N. Dawley, of Nevada ; and Benj. Hall, of Sierra, were proposed to the Convention for Comptroller, but before taking a vote the Convention adjourned to Saturday morn ing, at 9 o'clock.