Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-10-02


The contrast between the republican conven-
ton in this city last week and the assembly met
for kindred purpose, but very dissimiar in
composition and behavior, in Syracuse on the
same day, is very fattering TO Massachusetts,
The controversy between the two sections of the
party in New York could hardly be more bitter
or have appealed more strongly to the per-
sonal feelings of its members than that which
has agitated the republicans of Massachusetts
during the last few weeks. Here as there were
contesting delegations with charges of fraud
irregularity and corruption; here too, as well as
there, the preliminary canvass had been en-
FILTERED by violent personal attacks; each diyi-
sion of the party was confident and each was
charged by the other with intending to bolt il
unsuccessful in its aims. An observer might
have eXpecred that the two conventions would
he equally stormy and ungovernable, or that il
there was any difference the Massachusetts as.
sembly, which was four times as numerous
as the other, would be prOportionally more tur-
bulent. 1t proved, on the contrary, to be as Or
derby as legislative body, much more so in
fact than congress often is; its discussions were
conducted with perfect decorum; the decisions
of It's presiding officer were accepted without a
murmur of dissent; the claims of contesting
delegations were submitted to q committee
which heard them patiently and reported on
them fairly, and its report when accepted by
the convention, was submitted to in silence
by the defeated party. The question upon
which all the interest of the day centered was
determined by ballot, in which there was no
attempt at nor suspicion of unfairness. Nor.
when it was decided, was there any symptoms
of a disposition to rebel against the verdict,
The tumultuous outburst Of enthusiasm which
followed its announcement was almost the only
indication that the feelings of the de egates had
been so intensely stirred by the contest.
They manage these things differently in New
York. In their convention disorder began be,
fore the doors were opened, and went on increas-
ing in violence as the proceedings advanced
The following account of the opening scenes
from the New York Evening POSTS correspond
ent, will show what pleasant gathering con-
vention OF New York republicans can be:
AT the hour appointed for the aching of the
convention the staircase of the hall where il was
TO be held was thrUnged with delegates and
Others They stood in solid mass in the street
men whose angry looks denoted thar they did
not mean harmony. A fierce demand was made
for admittance, which was refused The door
was partly opened to admit a reporter when
Mark Lanigan, broad shouldered fellow from
the sixth ward, forced open the door and crvino
"Now sail in boysp endeavored TO enter Meet,
ing with opposition, knives were drawn. and
pistol barrels looked into each others months A
scene of terror followed. The range beinr too
close 10 fire, fierce struggle with knives and
alt1 he fnlr mia nf1rif ftg
were opened, and the throng pressed in,
trampled, bleeding and frightened.
Mr.. A. Is. Cornell, of the state committee
called the convention to order, and then turned
upon the stage and ordered TO the floor about
nifty OF as determined looking men as ever
seized a convention by the throat and gagged il
10 death. TWAS evident that attempts at har-
hOhy mad not been made in good faith or that
any attempt to bring it about would not be ac-
copied During the call Mr.. Hutchings rose to
spe9h' nc was declared out OF order by the
Snahi ana The ruling met decided oppOsition
linen arose tumult that hid f1ir m brenlf mn
Tue convention. Mark Iapioan still at The
front, seized Mr.. Hutchings and endeavored IN
P'dCc nun On the platform from which he had
been removed by the police Avnin Ln,yas -
tolls and clubs were drawn and $50 Pr ~
IRON backs Of chairs were made yyeanIrs ar ~ ~
tack and defense After fifteen minI,tn VI VI a.. a.
descrlbable chaos, the roll was finished and tl,a
result announced" anu 'ie
Oi what took place afterward, our tcleqranbic
reports last week made sufficient mention The
New York city delegates were the chief actors
in these disgraceful scenes, but their brethren
OF the interior mcst be greatly demoralized b,
their evil example, or they would not toerat
such conduct. The orderly transaction of bust
ness Is dependent in a great degree upon tn
SKIN and hrmaess Of the presiding officer bu
one who attempts TO enforce parliamentar
rules IN an assembly where pistols, knives an,
CLUBS are the weapons Of debate, cannot b.
blamed if bis resources prove UNEQUAL 10 tb
emergency.