The New York herald., 1876-09-03


to secure victory In the State than before
rnR SARATOGA FARCE
was enacted 1t may be remembered that during
somewhat stormy stage OF the recent Convention Mr..
A. H. Purdy OF the delegates from this city, de-
manded to know why Mr. Horatio Seymour should be
nominated Tor Governor against his Will, rather by
what authority the assurance was gwen that he would
accept tho nomination IN case he was chosen AS The
standard bearer Of the democracy o! the Empire state
And it may also be remembered that when Mr.. Purdy
propounded his very pertinent question his voice was
drowned in general shout. Anxious to oblsin
tho facts in relation to the matter HERALD reporter
visited Mr. Purdy yesterday that gentleman having
returned to the city from the scene of action only
short time previous. The situation was explained
follows:-
'Mr. Pardy" began the reporter, 'you are the gen
tleman, believe, who they say created tho disturb
ance in the Saratoga Convention aud who wns cried
down when you demanded by what authority the
name OF Horatio Seymour was being useds"
''Yes. sir," replied Mr.. Purdy" was that un(ortu-
nate individual, bnt events turned out 1t my
inquiry should have been hccdedn
''You were one of the gentlemen who seconded Mr..
potters nomination and reputcd DO OF his friends
and managers"
Mr. Purdy promptly replied in the Affirmative.
INSIDE HISTORY.
"Would you be kind enough to state what were tho
plans for the nomination Of Mr.. Pct,erg'
''We had no plans, sir Mr. Potter had the assurance
OF Governor Tilden and his friends that while he
not their first choice. they would oppose
ton. Knowing his popularity in weschestcr and all
the river counties; knowing also his distinguished and
faithful services 10 the democratic party, and believing
that IN an aggressive campaign he would take the
stump in his own behalf and would have ample means
tho strongest possible candidate, and with that
idea went into tho Convention. We expected that the
Convention would be untra,nmelled by machinery and
trickcry, and desired stand on our mcrits In
the first hours of the Convention 1t was plain to US
that machinery was being used. The first indication
was that, when motion was made to adjourn on the
first day to seven O'CLOCK wc offered make It four
o'clock, and although the amendment carried by
at least two-thirds OF the Convention, Mr.. Peckham
promptly declared It lost"
SUSPICIOUS AROUSED.
1--WE suspected" continued Mr.. Purdy, .that so long
an adjournment desired In order that news from
Albany might be received by opponents but know
ing that Mr. Potter was gaining ground every moment
did not seriously oppose the adjournment. When
rcasscmbled ut soven o'clock that evening Mr.
Dorshcmer put in nomination by the un fortunate
speech of Mr. h,bbard, who mentioned in the course
of descending from tho race Of
LUTHER.
Tho convention composed Of at least ono-haf OF
Irish Catholics turned pac shut their toeth and Dors
heimcr fatally buried II no had a chance for
the nation, the -mcd speech OF his brol hor-in
law placed 1t beyond his roach. At this moment the
name Of Nj. Seymour was sprung on tho con-
vcntion by Mr.. Brooks and tho united Tammany
delegates. It took liko wildnre, and while
the enthusiasm lasted VIC did not dare present Mr..
Pottcr's name, lest It might appear no was antag.
onistic to Mr. Seymour. MI Apgar, Mr.. Magono and
tho gentlemen who arc supposed to have tho car OF
Governor Tden, came forward aud stated In the most
emphatic terms that Horatio Seymour would not un.
der any circumstances, accept the nomination. They
read u telegram TO Senator Herman, in which Mr. Sey.
mour forbade his name to DO used This allayed tho
Seymour furor. This opportunity, and wa
brought forward the name Of Mr.. Potter, which was
received with enthusiastic shouts, aud It became man.
ifest that tho Convention for him by an over.
whelming majority. II vote had been taken then
MI Potter would have been nominated be-
yond question and tho democratic party
saved the disaster that has beallen il The
friends OF Mr.. Dorsheimer, who had
before been insisting that Mr.. Seymour would
not a candidate. Now IN tho hope of prcvept-
ing the nomination Of Mr. Potter gaining time to
either reinforce Mr.. Dorshoimcr or selecting now
candidate they themselves brought again tho
name OF Horatio Seymour. They were aided by the
anti Tammany element, by packed galleries, and even
tho floor OF tho Convention consisted of outsiders
than regular delegates These outsiders joined in the
cry and
CoMPLKrkLY OvERsLAUGHRD
Mr.. Seymour nominated by acclamatiou, q COM
mitce appointed to inform Of this fact and re-
quest his acceptance and the Convention adjourned
until ten o'clock next morning. We were satisfied that
Mr.. Seymour would not accept tho nomination. We
now in possession of tslegraphc messages from
his relatives and friends which confirmed our belief
that he would under no circumstances accept
and renewed efforts for Potter, gaining
ground all the evening We came the Convention
the morning with Potter the strongest candidate
In the event OF Soymours declining to stand. As soon
The Convention assembled, without word ns to Mr.
Scymours determination, tho nomination for Icuten-
ant Governor proceeded with. Mr. Dorshemer
named Ior the place. was satisfied he could not
get the nomination for Lieutenant Governor un-
less Horatio Seymour at tho head Of the ticket and
that If Mr. scymour's dcclination was thcn known to
the Convention they would not nominate Mr.. Dors-
heimer | think his friends werc equally satisfied OF
that ac and that If the Convention had failed to nom
mate Mr. Dorshcimer they would have brought forward
the despatch from Governor Seymour declining the
nomination. which they then had and which was SUP.
pressed"
GAUNTLET THROWN DOWN.
'Knowing this" Mr. Purdy went on to say, 'and
seeking to compel them to show their hand stood on
tho floor Of the Convention and demanded by what
authority the ticket was being completed without
knowing whether It had any head or not thought
as matter Of right that should not adjourn or
complete tho ticket in such uncertain state OF
affairs. was clearly in order, but cried down.
not by the delegates but by an outside mob. Still
would have persisted in my ondeavor 10 save what
seemed to me a great misfortune to the democratic
party had not maniac by the name OF Shay, from
New York. raised point OF order, which promptly
held good by tho Chairman, Mr.. Jacobs, whom we
always credited being against Potter And this was
the way In which Mr.. Potter trcked out of the
nomination which justly belonged TO him. and with