The New York herald., 1876-03-23
THE REPUBLICAN, CONVENTION.
Roscoe Conkling It's Choice
for President.
A Brief Struggle with the
Curtis Faction.
AN ELOQUENT OPPOSITION.
Tom Murphy, Collector Arthur and Postmaster
James in The Victorious Van.
A Recommendation but Not an lnstruc-
ton, Sent to Cincinnati.
RADICAL RESOLUTIONS.
Belknap's Ruin Not a Stain Upon
the Ruling Party.
Grant Eulogized to an Unrespon-
Belknap's Ruin Not a Stain Upon
the Ruling Party.
Grant Eulogized to an Unrespon-
sive Audience.
LIST OF THE NATIONAL DELEGATES

SYRACUSE, March %, 1875
The clements of opposition TO pledged delegation in
support OF Senator Conkling we're to-day narrowed
down TO close quarters. When the convention
bled this morning, at the Wietng Opera House, great
aeeds were prophesied by the rebellous, but subse
auent events Knocked the whole bottom from under
sher purposes and pretcnsions. A strong fight how
ever, was made by Mr.. Curtis and his friends.
Promptly at eleven O'Clock the Convention
called to order by Mr. A. b. Cornell The Opera House
was comfortably nled, the body of the hall being
served for delegates and the galleries for spectators
There was not much enthusiasm exhibited at the
ing session. but the afternoon proceedings up for
any apparent lack OF warmth The New York delega-
tion as at all political gatherings of both parties
pied the best seats Immediately in front of the stage.
Assemblyman Forster, of Westchester, managed to
secure prominent position among this delegation he
was evidently acting Mr.. Curtis lieutenant the
struggle about to take place.
THE STRUGGLE OVER THE RULES.
The leader the opposition movement also occupied
front seat Excongressman Haskin's speech,
porary President of the Convention was short and he
fought particularly shy OF any OF the leading political
issues at present before the country. Ho denounced
corruption in Office however, and, OF course, prophe-
Sled victory in the future The opening skirmish of
the Curtis band developed when Assembly man
Forster nervousy moved that the rules of the
Senate should be adopted for the guidance OF the Con-
vcnton He had scarcely taken his seat when Mr.
Charles s Spencer sprang to the He suggested
The adoption Of the Assembly rules The Curtis dele
gates had apparently prepared Tor this maneuvre, at
least they looked upon II a maneuvre Of the Conk-
hing men. They claimed to have discovered con-
tpiracy to "gag" the Convention. The Assembly
rules retain authority to move the previous question,
while the Senate rules do not contain any such prov
sion. The anttConklng men insisted that the adop-
tion of the Assembly rules would cut OF debate on n
resolution to pledge the delegation. 1t would
dangerous power In the hands OF the majority. This
side of the argument supported by Mr. Curtis In
short speech. He followed in the strain by
hr. Wheeler, of Jefferson, and two or three other
delegates, but oil here poured upon troubled
waters by Henry Smith, of Albany who told the Con-
venton they were merely engaged in lighting shadow
There was no intention to gag" anybody The utmost
latitude would be given for entire freedom of discus
sion Several other gentlemen followed on the same
side. Ex-senator Madden had attended twenty three
conventions where the Assembly rules always pre-
vailed. Charles :. spencer had contributed his elo-
quence to eighteen republican gatherings with a similar
result There was now no reason for change
PLEDGED DELEGATION.
The discussion on this point glded into remarks on
the expedency OF a pledged delegation A Jefferson
county spoke enthusiastically of the great prn
cpe OF free speech free WILL accompanied with all the
usual spread eagle ideas People could not tell what
might arise in the National Convention. The question
here to be decided must prove multorm and complex.
No one wished to say single word against the great
and distinguished Senator whose had been
hvoraby mentioned in the Convention Another
delegate from Steuben remarked he not sent there
as politician. He to represent the interests
)f the whole people Mr.. Glass, OF Monroe, did not
any necessity of violating the usages the repub-
ican party laid down at their conventions for the past
twenty years The whole matter finally settled In
the adoption Of Mr.. Spencers proposition by largo
majority, and the nrst brush OF the Convention was
over
shortly after taken until three O'Clock,
the various committees having been previously ap-
pointed. The real nght consequently postponed
until the afternoon, when the Committee Resou-
tions made IT'S report
coNKLrNG's STRENGTH.
On tho reassembling of the Convention much larger
crowd attendance than at the morning session,
the galleries being packed and the vestibue of the
Opera House filed with spectators The large audience
on the tiptoe OF expectation to what would
result from the deliberations OF the Committee
stood however, that positive resolution OF
Endorsement OF Senator Conkling would be re-
ported and that no actual compromise with the Curtis
element could be safely tolerated The FIRST indication
given Of the great popularity OF senator Conkhngs
WAS exhibited when in the speech Of Mr. Daw-
son, his election permanent President nearly all
Me Convention rose waving their hats and cheering
Justify. The allusion Of Mr. Dawson to Grants pari-
Otc career in peace and received with silence
and with smiles by several OF the delegates Evidently
they did not relish the praise, although Ii
what adroitly awarded.
PLATFORM
Next followed the election Of secretaries and other
officers Of the Convention and the appointing Of ma
hona delegates. This duty beng accomplished, the
report OF the Committee on Resolutions II
read with dramatic cnunciaton by Mr. Henry
Smith, OF Albany That portion aluding TO the neccs-
uiy for thorough rcnenehmcnt and reform IN
pubic Offices was received with clapping OF
hands The clauses pledging the republican
party to the doctrines OF the absolute free
dom OF our public schools from sectarAn
influences brought out cheers. The criticism Of Cong
'ess setting forth that the House OF Representatives.
Is engaged IN sending Union sodiers TO the rear, and
Confederate soldiers TO the 'front.' elected approval,
while the sentiment: "Let no guilty man, however
h,gh, escape" brought down the gallery IN thunders
Of applause
THE oFFcE HOLDERS TRIUMPH.
Then We had the nith proposition which lauded
Senator COnkng and directed the delegates 10 present
his name at the Cincinnati Convention their choice
Tor President The New York delegation headed by
Collector Arthur. Postmaster james, Tom Murphy and
others, from their seats at this part
example was followed by large number OF the country
delegates. This vas the time for Mr. George W. Cur
Us TO ire on his big gun and he Immediately took The
0oor Cries OF platform brought him before the
Convention IN that prominent locality His remarks
w dUnunciation OF the proposals TO pledge the delega
ion - MI Conkling were attentvey listened TO and
ais telling periods we're frequently applauded Mr..
Curtis oratorcal pot and classical delivery
Tot AZ all lost upon the Convention. lie followed
~ Judge Laphan, Of Ontario old gray haired gen.
lcman, with considerable FIRE In his delivery. lie
audcd the blonde Senator the skies and insisted
hat the duty OF the Convention 70 carry his
standard with them 20 Cincinnati The speakers logic
the unfarncss Of casting reflection upon Roscoe
ronking simply because black sheep had been
found In the republican party seemed TO i'm
were moro energetcaiiy dwch upon by Mr..