Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1868-05-06
REPUBLICAN, CONGRESSIONAL
CONVENTION.
Tevvif7c c Contest-I6o Ballots



Gel. O0yshe she Nonlnoe.
The nouinasing battle Geld of The Rspuo-
licaa party of the Second Congressional
District Of this State, vas held ~ DsWist
Thithsr the clans gathered in
the morning-ths Smyshsitss. the Butler
ties. the Costonitss, Russslitss and Ellisitss,
ARMED and equipped for the fray.
The convsntion Was called to srdsr At II
o'clock BY L. D. Ingsrsoll, Chairman Of the
District Committee, and Hon..W. II. Tut
tie. of Cedar, was called to preside, and g.
8. Els, Of Scott, Appointsd Secretary.
After settling preliminaries Of erganizs-
ton and credentials, tho proper business Of
Che day commenced. On going into nomi-
nation, there were five candidates in the
dsld-C,l. Smyths, Of Linn; jacob Batlsr.
of Muscatins Lyman A. Ellis and A. r.
Cotton, of Clinton and John Russell. Of
Jones.
The 6rst ballot Was taken wi.hiths fol-
lowing result:
For Smy the, Scott 10 and Lima IL total
"a votes.
For Butler, Muscstins, IL votes.
For Cotton, Clintsn. IL votes.
For Ellis, Jackssn, 10 votes.
For Russell, Jones, 10 votes.
Cor Tuttls Oadss ~ votea
Frsm This informal vots il vas evident
that Smyths would be the nominee unless
his forces could bs distracted, or soosoli-
dston formed upon . single opponent.
For about fifty ballots there was no per-
csptibls change. the Scott county delsga-
sion. after the 3oth ballot, occasionally d.
viding its strength between Smyths and
Butler, or others ~ the case might BE-
After three or four more ballots the name
Of Judge Tuttle was withdrawn, and Cedar
divided, casting seven for Smyths, and
three Tor Butler.
Heavy sksrmishins: then followed up to
the Tooth bsllot-the delegations swapping
of aud throwing bsqusts in oil directions
without accomplishing anything. Scott
delegates, regardless Of instructions kept
voting one way and the ether. not seeming
to care whether Smyths or Butler might
win.
Al tho 108d ballot--it then bsing So
clock, the friends Of Mr.. Els Withdrew his
name. seeing that Cotton would in no event
use his influence for their candidate. At
withdrawal Ellis had 20 votes.
The Eight then continued for straight
hour, with tho exception Of some light skir.
mishipg; Jackson casting her ten votes
sometimes for Butler and sometimes for
Russell. Scott generally voting Eve for
Butler and and Eve for Smythe. which
made the strength Of the three leading
candidates nearly equal; Cotton rscsiving
from the start about twelve votes per bal
lot. The balsting being done alphabstic-
ally - regarded counties. Scott had the
balance Of power. Several attempts were
made to change this order, but unsucccss-
fully.
At 8 o'clock the Convention took . re-
cess Of an hour and half, whom there was
lively demonstration on the part Of the
friends of Smyths, Butler and Russell a
to which should break the Others lines,
which resulted in Butler and Smyths r..
turning to the contest, both confident oi
victory. It was also evident that somsbody ,
vas badly sold.
:sOn the first ballot after recess the vote
stood a. follows: jackson and Jenes voted
solid for Russell; Clinton for Cotton Linn
and Scot. solid for Smyths; Muscatins for
Butler; Cedar scattering, for Smvthe, 3
fer Butler, and for Russell.
From this time until the 155th ballot.
there was but little variation, though Il was
evident that something must soon turn up.
Cotton was out of 'the ring, and it was sp.
parent that either Smythe or Butler must
be tho nominee, and from the un-
certain action Of Soft, and the
known favoritism among several Of ito del
egatc, for Butler. that gentleman felt a..
most certain tha. he had the inside track.
Before taking the 165th ballot, Jones,
thanking Jackson for her compliments and
good will towards their candidate, informed
her delegates that Jones would thereafter
60 for Snythe, whersupon jackson, Cedar
and Muscatins, which were called before
Scott, voted solid for Butler, at which time
he aud his friends confidently expected
that Scott, whom called, would cast its votes
for him, and end the nght in his favor !;
but much to his surprise, Scott, when cal
lei. voted for Butler and 4 for Smyths.
Cotton then withdrew from the fisld,
leaving but two contestants, and Butler with
in. two votes:of election. He would have been
s'ectsd, but for the Scott men who back
cd out Of IN agreement previously entered
into that whenever either Butler or Smy .he
cosld be elected by shs Scott county vets,
they should have Il. The time CANE
Butler knowing Of this private arrange
msnt. fslt certain Of success. Judge Of his
chsgrin. when be found thss. fesr Scott
county delegates had Slaughtered him with
in reach Of bis fondsst hopes.
New comes The 15eth ballot. Get
ton had Withdrawn who was to
have his vote! The suspense was
short; Clinteu, Jones. Linn and Scott
came down With solid vote for Smyths-
total 40; Museasiss. Jacksen, and Cedar
fer Bultss-Si vetss; giving Smyths .
majority Of Is votes, st halfpast 8 o'clock.
The Committse..on resolutions -Farwsll,
Of Jsnes, Chairman-rsportsd . ssriss Of
resolves, comprising fealty - ultra radical
ism in all its scssnsrieitiss, and declaring
the impeachment Of The Prssidsst promin
ent among their fondsst hopes.
RlvRE NEWS
A2RlvAL0.
BAHRocK Crfv-From St. Louis.
ARrKLoPs-Frem 0t Paul.
DEPAnSvA0.