New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-05-22
ballot was announC

Wade Curtin .......-'-.-. 2.
CoifaX. And several scattering.
No choice having been effected an effort was made
TO adjourn but it seemed to be the almost unanimous
pesre TO 90 on and finish the work 1t took 10 MN
utes to count the vote, during which time the noor
on which the delegates sat was very lively scene
Each candidate had shown his primary strength, and
his friends seemed anxious to improve It, IL was eN
pected that Wade would stand fire. but Fenton being
second astonished his most sanguine friends They
were surprised at the popularity OF their candidate
it filed them with renewed energy, and inspired
them to make a strong effort again. second ballot
was taken which varied little from the first. with
the exception that those candidates who were nOni-
mated merely cut of compliment were withdrawn,
and the strength of all the regular candi-
dates was more clearly shown. Wade came
out first Fenton second, Colfax third, Wilson
fourth, Curtin fifth and Hamlin last Colfax's
increase inspired his friends but they did
not seem to care TO work evidently depending on the
national popularity of their candidate TO carry him
through. The friends of the other candidate, how
ever thought it necessary to work they would sue
ceed and they did. The scene in the interim of
counting the vote reminded one Of Wall-st during
the excitements in gold speculatiOns in war times.
The canvassinG and wire-pulling were kept up with
the ferceSt spirit and each count was looked for
ward to with the most nervous interest. The third
count showed that while Wade and Fenton varied
very little Cofax gained steadily. On the fourth
ballot Pennsylvania dropped Curtin and threw the
majority of her vote for Wade, This sent Wade
took up above par; but the final count showed Col
fax TO he steadily gaining
forgot to mention that on the second ballot four
men of the Ohio delegation broke from Wade and
went over 10 COlfax This fOreshadowed his defeat.
On the third ballot vote OF Ohio went from
Wade TO COlfax. In the fourth. still another. AT
the end of the fonrth ballot il became evident that
some one OF the candidates must be dropped. that
they might keep on balloting until doOmsday. Ac-
cordngy after - minutes of the most exciting can
vass and comparison of notes among the Delegates
the fifth ballot was begun. Before the ballot was
announced il was known that Wade and Colfax were
close toqether-thc latter leading by but few votes
This was on account of the action Of the Pennsylva
MIA delegation, which turned complete summerset
from the support OF the Senator 10 the support of
the Speaker. There il was seen by the friends %
both Wade and Colfax that little bold dash might
carry their candidates through with a rush The
Cofax men had the best Of the fight They had sew
eral solid delegations for their favOrte, while ONO
was divided. The friends Of the Speaker OF the
House appealed to Iowa 10 solid for their fayorites
and the Chairman of that delegation jumped on his
feet and Just the Of announcing the result of
the ballot he desired the privilege OF changing the
vote Of Iowa. The privilege was accorded him, and
while the delegates held their breath IN expectation.
he announced that Iowa voted solid for Schuyler
COlfax!
This was enough. Two-thirds of the audience rose
and checred and swung their hats several minutes,
while Mr. Wade's friends saw that food was CON-
ing on which would soon engnlf all other candidates
but Indanas fav0rtc son. The effect of IOwa's ac-
ton was electric Pennsylvania, whose politicians
are always on the winning side. announced through
Mr. Mcclure that the Keystone State would also vote
solid for.Mr. COlfax. Then il was evident that no
human power could keep the nomination from Col
fax. and the different delegations began scram-
ble TO see who would be first IN line
on the winning side. Louisiana followed
then came Massachusetts, District OF Columbia,
Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Florida
Then Mann like Massachusetts,, abandoned its favor
tie to whom she had faithfully adhered and gave her
vote to Mr. COlfax. Minnesota joined hands with
her. and Michigan followed. Then the Wade men IN
Ohio seeing that all was lost authorized Mr.. Jones,
chairman Of their delegation 10 cast the vote Of the
State for Cofax and after he had fulfilled his mission
he stroye TO have the nomination made unanimous;
but there was 50 much opposition from the delega-
tons which had not fallen into line that he with
drew the motion. Mississippi followed the example
of the others, and Virginia and California did like
wise.
All this while the chairman Of the Maryland dele
cation and ex-Gov Brown, chairman of the Georgia
delegation were clamoring loudly 10 be recognized,
and at this stage they noticed and they too
the whole Convention meantime, cheering-cast
solid votes for COlfax. North Carolina, New IIamp
shire Nebraska, Kansas, Arkansas. Texas, Missouri,
Delaware, fell into line. Then NewYOrk was We
hementy called for by the audience; but the chair.
man and associates sullenly held their seats and
refused TO be coerced by any outside pressure. During
the excitement, West Virginia and Nevada followed
the States abovenamed; then Illinois appealed
to- hut her chairman failed TO respond, and the audi
ence became impatient, and an appeal was made by
nearly the whole audience to Gen Sickes to second
New-Yorks vote for COlfax but Gen. Sckles Needed
ii not He was too old veteran in convention mat
ters 10 be led away at an improper time Gen Logan
appeased the impotence of the audience by casting
the votes of Illinois solid for Sr. Colfax.
Then Gen. Cochrane jumped TO the floor and de-
nianded that the ballot be read. This was done and
il was found that ont of $50 votes cast Colfax had
~, thus:
Colhl1 ............. .522 Wilson. ............ II
FentOn ..............-. 10
Wade. ................. AZ fetal ............ GO
As the Clerk read O. for FentOn instead of a. Gen.
Sickles took the floor and demanded that the error
lie corrected Twas done. and. at the same time
Mr. Jones' of the Ohio delegation, sought to be recog
nized so that he might move TO make the nOnna-
tion unanimous; but the Convention drowned his
ap,,eais. and called upon Gen. Sickles To perform
that duty The Char recognized him. and he made
a motion that the nomination be made unanimous.
"a 10 nd ha M IN