The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-06-15
THE SHERIFFALTY.



The chief political centre Of the day was at
National Hall. Here it was that the convention to
fierce fight for this high office produced at this
semblage scenes of confusion and excitement. 1t
to the Bingham party and the latter just as deter
mlnedly opposed the former. In the event Of their
being no show OF success to- either OF these prom-
forces would join hands and voices In favor OF
General Bingham or Alderman Massey. At 10
O'Clock the great crowd OF delegates with slight
mixture Of the coored element, entered.
Three Temporary Chairmen at Once.
In a twinkling, David Lane the Walton representa-
mated for temporary chairman. The nomination was
ratified by portion of the delegates. Mr.. Lane
had not tapped the table more than twice with
gavel which he drew from his pocket, when Will
liam Elliott, representative of the Bingham party,
was declared temporary chairman, and he jumped
upon the stage, followed by II. III. X. Elliott who
was pressed for the Craftsmanship by the Berry
A Struggle for the Gavel.
A scene of great excitement followed. The strug-
gle for the gavel was hotly waged. II was snatched
from Lanes hands by the Berryites, and In a
Bingham party man. Ahundred delegates crowded
upon the stage, and scene OF the widest confusion
directly ensued. The desk was overturned and the
stage chandeliers were wrenched from their places.
No sooner had the desk been replaced, and Will
liam Elliott mounted IL 10 declare the names OF the
secretaries than Lane rushed upon him, snatching
for the mallet. In the contention which followed,
Elliott and Lane, and dozenof delegates who were
hoty pressing them on either side, were threwn
from the stage upon the floor, distance OF six feet
Elliott with remarkable aacrty regained the stage,
Stripping himself OF the garment, he again stepped
upon the desk, and in momensary calm announced
Dr. Crowell and Isaac McBrlde as the temporary
secretaries, and thus spoke:-
Speech of William Elliott.
81 desire to say that If it s the desire OF the con-
Vention that shall not preside as the temporary Or
ganizer will withdraw. tell you that it is for the
interest OF the Republican party that these scenes
OF disorder should cease. Those who want me for
temporary organizer say aye"
The Fight Resumed.
A roar in the affirmative was followed by an
equally loud roar in the negative and the light on
the stage was again resumed, during which the re-
Porters' desks were overturned, and the knights OF
the quill themselves forced, for safetys sake into
the stage boxes. During this melee Lanes hat was
and legs and dragged to the edge OF the stage the
intention, undoubtedly, being to force him of.
Happily his progress on the platform was stopped
lie struggled out OF the hands OF his eaptors, ana
jumping upon bench, cried QUIT
"As temporary chairman OF this convention /
nominate John W. Sayres and John Thomson for
Secretaries, and want to say
ETC., and an uproarous boo ohooing drowned to the
reporters ears whatever else he said
The Bingham Party triumphant.
The Bingham party men then cleared the stage,
forcing OF Lane and his adherents In a twinkling.
Thus the former proved triumphant, and Chairman
unchallenged though not undisputed right
He then announced that he would call the pre-
cnots OF the several wards in numerical order, in
order that the delegates might regularly present
their credentials.
In consequence OF the great confusion In the hall,
and the large number OF persons 1t not entitled
TO the privilege of the floor, t found impracti-
cable TO proceed until the hall had been cleared.
The only persons then admitted were persons with
the requisite authority OF credential.
Examining Credentials.
Until half-past twelve the time Was consumed In
the presentation Of credentials, among which were
six cOlOred delegates. The right OF Jacob Purnell,
eolored, to a seat from the Eighth division OF the
famous Fourth ward, was denied. Nevertheless he
presented his credentials.
The Ward Committee.
Chairman Elliott then announced that as each
ward was called on, the delegates should name