New-York tribune., 1876-06-27
r1LnENs SOURCES OF STRENGTH.

THURMAN MIN fElbNDLl Ll-MchhiooEi
BEr-JoHN RELLY's FAILURE.
Icy TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE
ST LOUIS. June 26.-At the head of the roll of
States as it will be called in the Convention when
the baoting for Presidential candidate begins
stands the name of Alabama. Politicians have
great faith in the doctrine of the old adage that
"well begun is half done :" and for this reason the
ten votes with which Alabama will start the ball
have been more earnestly sought after by the mana
gers for rival candidates than an equal number
from any other State. With them Gov. lliden
could start with the solid support of the first hve
States and with 81 votes. The Alabama delegation
came to st. Louis with several of its most lnnuen-
tial men, among them Gen. Morgan and Gen. Pope
Walter, a member of Jefferson Daviss Cabinet, un-
compromisngly in favor of Gov Tilden, and ma
iority of its rank and file had strong leanings
toward New YOrks candidate. The rival factions
the one representing Gov. Tilden and the other
Tammany Hall--took this delegation in hand even
before its arrival in this city, and both
have been untiring in their labors ever since. The
delegation held its first meeting this morning. IL
organized with the choice of Gen. l.. W. Pettus to
be its chairman. resolution directing its presi-
dent to cast the vote of the delegation unit was,
after some discussion tabled by a vote of about
two-thirds. No vote was taken which indicated the
relative strength of the different Presidential can
didates, but Gov. Tilden viii without doubt receive
a majority of its votes the remainder being divided
among Senator Bsyard. Gen. Hancock. and Gov.
Hendricks. The members of this delegation seem
TO feel very strongly the responsibility which rests
upon them as the rst State the list and seek to
avoid if possible assuming the role of leader of the
South which its position at the head of the column
seems naturally to assign TO it, There IS prob
ably not single member of IT that
would not give Gov. Tden his hearty
support upon the conviction that tha Govern
or of New-York is the strongest candidate who lcan
be nominated; but as one or two OF the Alabama
men have expressed the belief that Gov. Tlden as
Democratic candidate would be beaten worse than
Horace Greeley was in 1872 it is hardly probable
that a solid vote from the State can be obtained by
Gov. Tilden, and certainly not by any one of the
candidates now named, unless there should be a
great change in the situation. The delegation has
spent most of the day in listening to speeches of the
Tilden and anti-Tilden men; but there are no
visible evidences that they have had any marked eff
feet.
LITTLEJoHN's RAID INTO GEORGIA.
The rooms of the Georgia delegation have been
the scene of hot contest between the TlldeD and
anti Iilden men. The delegation, when it arrived
in ST. Louis stood about 16 for Tilden to for other
candidates. Yesterday d. G. Littlejohn, who has
really done more effective work against Gov 1lden
than any other one of John KellY's leutenants,
labored several hours with the delegation. lie sue
ceeded in partially convincing several of the Illden
men that the Governor of NewYork is not an avail
able candidate. He asserted and undertook to prove
that Gov Tilden could not carry his own State The
attack was very skillfully managed, and just at the
right time Mr. LittlejOhn exhibited to the delegation,
as he had to others, letters from men who
he said are prominent Democrats in many OF the
counties of the Empire State giving estimates Of the
losses Tilden would sustain if he should be the can
ddate and inclosing lists of Democrats who would
not support him. The effect of these representations
was seen at the meeting Of the delegation this morn
ing in its hesitation TO commit itself TO any DEFINITE
policy Gov. Tildens friends on the delegation still
claim however, that they hold more than ma
jority They also claim that at the meeting later in
the evening, which may adjourn too late for re-
port of it TO be telegraphed to The TRIBUNE, they
will certainly carry through resolution ordering
the vote of the State to be cast unit for Tilden
KENTUCKY's TWELVE VOTES FOR TILDEN.
No more important or interesting delegation meet
ing has occurred to-day than that of Kentucky
Leading the men from the Blue Grass State is Henry
Watterson editor of The Louisville Courier-JouraQl,
who was the parent of the Tilden movement in Ken
lucky. 1t is by his untiring labor that public
tnent in favor of the great reformer of the Demo
cratic party stronger than that in any other South
State. has been created. When the Kentucky
delegation first met this morning after the neces
sary work of organization, Mr.. Watterson made a
very telling speech in favor of casting the vote of
the State for Gov. Tilden, advancing all the custo-
mary arguments, and enforcing them by an eloquent
appeal TO the better sentiments of the delegation
lie was followed by State Senator Machen, who
advocated the nomination of Gov Hendricks. Ex-
Congressman John NJ. Rice spoke for William Allen
Erot in, fha dala
den Is, Hendricks O. Allen 4. Subsequently it was
agreed that the II votes of Kentucky shall be cast
a unit for Gov Tlden, and the supporters of Gov
Hendricks and Gov. Allen yielded 1.-The best
Of grace TO the will of the majority so that there
will be no wavering or attempts TO reconsider the
action of this morning. This Tilden victory IN the
Kentucky delegation is a great triumph ior Waiter
son. it gives the best proof the parts IN his State
has ever accorded him of his great influence and
popularity.
IMITATION DEFEATS.
The Illinois delegation held meeting this after
noon, and spent three hours in spirited contest
over the election of member Of the Committee on
Resolutions. The inhationsts nominated Mr.. Pin
ney as their candidate, and the Tilden party named
Gen. .hMcClemand Each candidate gave a full ex-
preston Of his opinions Mr.. Pinney announced
himself as in favor Of soft money and all Of the
time. Gen. McClernand admitted that he had been
in favor of the repeal Of the Resumption act,
but announced his willingness to abide by
the decision of the Convention. The in
hationists moved TO adjourn until six men,
bcrs who are absent should appear. This was