Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-08-29
woRCE sTER,
THURSDAY. AUGUST 20, 1879.


There was a large attendance of delegates in
the state convention, ESQ being reported by the
committee on credentials, not counting the
double delegation from Charestown. This
Charlestown quarrel about delegates came into
the convention for a short time, after the com F.
mittec on credentials had reported; but it was
referred back to the committee with instruc-
tons to investigate the matter, and that was the
lastthe convention heard of it. 1t seemed prob
able that neither delegation was properly elected.
This matter being disposed of, the nominations
were made, all of them by reclamation except
the candidates for governor and lieutenant gov
ernOr. On the ballot to nominate a candi-
date for governor, General Butler re-
ceived 259 votes. By casting these
votes, his friends made it appear that he
was in the convention fighting against what the
party wanted to do and had resolved to do.
This was bad policy, for ii tended only to pro-
woke or keep alive in many minds feeling of
antagonism to Gen. Butler, which neither he
nor bis friends can regard as desirable Wee do
not believe he will feel obliged by the 259 votes,
under the circumstances. Gov Washburn was
renominated, and the nomination was made
unanimous. Hon, Thos. Talbot was nominated
Tor lieutenant governor, the other state officers
were renominated, and nominations for electors
at large were made, the candidates being Judge
Hoar Of Concord, and John NJ. Forbes of Mil
ton.
In some respects, the management of this
convention might have been much better than
it was. Last year the management was admir-
able; this year it was much less So Tickets
were issued TO delegates, at this convention, and
the intention was that none but delegates shonld
be admitted to the floor of the hall; but this
regulation was not thoroughly enforced, for,
after the recess, there were many persons in the
hall who were not members Of the convention.
II is our opinion that the method of balloting
for governor, adopted last year, should be estab-
lished as an irrepealabe rule for all ballotngs
at all cur state conventions. The method which
sends half dozen men through the hall to col
lcct ballots in their hats, is very poor one and
ought TO be abolished. 1t is loose and unsatis-
factory when none but delegates are on the
floor Of the hall; and it is temptation TO
irregular voting when Others are there, for
how can the committee collecting the
votes know that every man who attempts to
vote is entitled TO do so? In this case, is man.
ifest, that, in taking the ballot for lieutenant
governor, more votes were received than there
were delegates in the convention. Such ballot
as that could not effect nomination. The
committee would have done well if they had
thrown it out altogether and demanded another
ballot. Mr.. Talbot was subsequently nomi-
mated by reclamation; his nomination is due to
this and not TO the ballot. We hope the state
committee will carefully consider this whole
matter, and prepare stringent regulations,
which may be adopted by the next convention,
and, thereafter, be allowed TO stand as fixed
laws for all our conventions.
The candidates put III nomination are all ex-
cellent men, and they viii be cordially and earn.
cstly supported at the polls. What we think of
Governor Washburu has been expressed more
than once, and our high estimate of his quaif-
cations for the Office he holds, is unchanged.
Mr. Talbot is very respectable gentleman, well
qualified for the Office of lieutenant governor.
He has seen considerable service in the execu-
tive council, and will undoubtedly perform the
duties Of lieutenant governor in a satisfactory
manner. We need not use many words in be-
half of our admirable candidates for electors at
large. Their names speak for them. Massa-
chusetts will not fail to give good account of
herself, in November. Greeleyism IS a weak
force, in this state, and will hardly be thought
of as a voting force, when our overwhelming
majority for Grant and Wilson shall be counted.