New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-17
THE NETWORK DEMOCRATS.
ASSEMBLING OF THE SYRACUSE CONyEN-
... TON.


TWO PRINCIPAL CANDIDArEs-AN AMUSING IN
ClDENT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SESSION.
TBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSg.l
SYRACUSE, Sept. 18.-This is not an enthusiastic
Convention IL does not rise up and howl upon
shght proyocaton. Not being enthusiastic il is not
turbulent or quarrelsome. BY this mean to say
that there has been, as yet. no breaking Of heads
ana nothing threatening breach of the
peace 1t is very mud hammered and meek
IN its outward aspects, and no one who
Is at all familiar with American poll
ties can fail to remark, in the faces of the dele
gates, the peculiar intelligence of the statesman of
the time. The New-York City delegation occupies
as usual, the front seats. position to which modest
worth as well ms immemorial custom gives them the
title. The average city delegation to Demo
cratic or indeed any political convention, has
characteristics marked and peculiar. They are
not always the men whom a discriminating aud
nsinterested philosopher would select out of a
population of million, as exhibiting in their fea-
lures the qualities most desirable in law gvers and
sovereigns, and yet there is no mistaking the
fact that in an enthusiastic gathering where
they wave chairs and gestculate from
the shoulders, those would be influential
persons The consumption of doubtful fluids for
the past "a hours without being enormous, has been
steady and constant, but something either in the
condition of the political atmosphere or the quality
of the fluids has induced more of maudlin than a
cOmbative disposition.
The contest being understood to be not so much
between Tilden and any other candidate as between
thefriends of Tiden and his opponents. the latter
cropping anxiously toward some practicable combina-
ton to defeat Tilden. whose friends pursue this
work with quiet confidence, doubtless accounts
for the absence of angry disputes and the general
air of languor and decency pervading the preimi-
nary proceedings. i do Lot imagine that Iildens
friends are Oyer-hearty in their advocacy of that
gentleman. Indeed, | think detect in the atmOs-
phere of the New-YOrk delegation something
like willingness to see their man sacri-
feed upon any reasonable pretext. Mr..
Tden's candidacy does not excite the enthusiasm
which some others might for the reason, suppose,
that his nomination has something the appearance
of concession to the respectable element Of reform
in ne party which overthrow the Tweed dynasty.
This Convention seems to me, to be that of
party which, very much against its stomach and its
will, is on its good behavior. The men who control
the party are no more In sympathy with reform
now than they were before the downfall OF
Tweed. They are not fond of Mr.. Tilden because OF
his efforts to clear out Tammany Hall and punish
Tweed. They are shrewd enough to discern that
reform is popular and that, with Tilden's record
upon this question it would not be safe to reject
him. They are virtuous from necessity, and they
take Tilden with grimace. This think, accounts
for the lukewarmness, or what appears to be luke
waImness, on the part of the New-York and some
other delegations.
The proceedings began this morning with neat
little Bit of comedy, which would have put much
less amiabe Convention in good humor, and fairly
III NTH
gates were in their seats, tho spectators in the
galleries. and the reporters waiting with pencils
sharpened for the business to begin Mr. John Kelly
sat near the front and center with his square face
fixed in a solemn stare at the stage where Mr. Jo-
seph Warren was bobbing around with great earn
estness and rapdity and the deep-yoiced Perrin
was figuring lists of delegates and the prepare
ton of committees Suddenly the buzz OF voices
was arrested by the sound OF the
eayel. and the delegates settled themselves
for business. All eyes were turned to the CHAIR.
There sat person with a rumped shirt bosom and
no crayat ford cOuntenance and dyed mus
tacbe straight as a ramrod and dignifed as judge.
With great dstinctness and solemnity he said:
"Tbe Convention will come to order" The voice
was that of q stranger. The delegates looked
little blank at FIRST then rubbed their eyes
and looked again; then some one said,
"Wbo in h is thatir Joe Warren stopped short
in a graceful pirouette and looked at the Chair as
though il was case of Banquos ghost. Perrin
dropped handful of credentials and looked over
his spectacles and across his shoulders IN dazed'
half frightened way. Mr.. John Kelly leaned for-
ward and looked interested. ybody stared ana
not few gaped in amazement Then some
body laughed and somebody else, mind
ful of the dignity of the Convention,
mt hat m A
noliceman in full uniform mounted the stage and
addressed the Chair but amid the shrieks of laugh
Ter the conversation could not be heard. Labori-
ouslv. however. the self-apponted Chairman was
consolidating with the policeman and asserting bis
right to preside, and the policeman was in doubt.
The man looked like a delegate, and might
noss;blv be a member of the Committee, and there
was nothing about him but his dyed mustache which
indicated insanity. 1t was very pretty tableau,
and greatly enjoyed by the Convention but the Eel
low was finally hustled off. Except that the name
Of Horatio Seymour when read in the list, was re-
ceiyed with great applause, there was no other IN
cident of any interest in the forenoons proceed
ings.
The afternoon session opened at 4 o'clock with not
more than half the delegates present. The Chair-
man announced that the Committee on Contested
Seats would not be ready TO report before "a p m,
and thereupon q motion was made ana ueciareu
carried although there were no audible yeas OF nays
ON either side. that recess be taken TIL that hour
THE EVENING SESSION.
The Convention reassembed at o'clock this
evening when the Committee on organization re-
ported Gen. Faulkner for pc rmanent PRESIDENT who
ON taking the chair. made speech, after winch the
proceedings were again brought to q stand
still By the non-appearance of the Com
m;ttee ON Contested Seats. The Chairman
announced that they would be ready to-
report in half an hour and meantime. the orators OF