New-York tribune., 1876-06-15
The PARTY IN COUNCIL.

THE NVENTION-BAD HALL FOR SPEAkNG-
HOW THE SPEECHES WERE RECEIVED.
lBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNEi
CINCINNATI, June 14.-The city which seemed on
Monday to be crowded, kept swallowing the multi
tndes that swarmed in on all the railroad lines
Tuesday and this morning was perfectj jam OF push
ing, sweating and sweltering humanity. Tuesday
evening was given to brass bands professions sere-
nades and speeches. and all the usual performances
with which the average politician manages to make
the transaction of the most serious business OF poll
ties both hideous and ridiculous You could hardly
turn corner suddenly anywhere without breaking
your legs over brass band or falling INTO
the flare of large trumpet or trombone.
If the nomination could have been made By brass
bands and professions, the Hon. Roscoe Conklmg
would by this time have been far in advance OF all
the rest, and perfectly secure of the prize. Ills
friends began earlier and have set up later, and
footed and marched more than any other crowd.
Since their arrival the nights have been filed with
music though the cares that infest the day could
hardly be said to have folded their tents stolen
away. The Conkling delegation has been quite a
conspicuous feature here, and has been regarded
with some curiosity by citizens and strangers.
think there was the color of unfriendliness, how
ever in the remark of Philadelphia person who,
after going around among them and making care
ful survey Of their counenances, went back to his
own delegation saying "it a mystery to him
where the Custom-hOuse crowd got bail for all those
fellows"
The Philadephians are a little fastidious-not to
say high-toned 1t is a singular comment upon thc
earnestness and sincerity with which politics are
conducted in Pennsylvania that when vote was
taken in the Hartranft Club, which came on with
badges and banners and white hats, and other snch
pomp and circumstance in the way of demonstra-
e
Blaine. | have not yet been able to make out what
tbev are wearing Hartranft badges and carrying
Hartranfts likeness on silk banner for Ii they pro-
pose TO push their candidate for the second place
on the ticket there would seem TO be more meaning
in it. but they do not Gov. Hartrauft has not oeen
brought forward for the Nice-Prcsidency by the
Pennsylvania delegation or any one else. Consider
ing that the Hartranft Club prefer another can
didate and they do not pretend to conceal the faet
the demonstration Of the gentlemen with white
hats badges, and banners and brass band seems
little remarkable. / presume though, they Know
what they are about. The average Pennsylvania
politician is not apt to make demonstrations of that
sort without having somc very definite motive
for it.
In the Convention proceedings to-day there has
been nothing of a striking character. The crowd be-
gan early TO fill the streets and approaches TO tho
Exposition Building, where the Convention is held,
and before ~ o'clock the hour fixed for opening, the
portions of the building devoted to delegates
and alternates and the space allotted 10 Inc
press were filed. The seats at the rear oil
the stage, which were assigned to invited guests,
were not filed and there was great deal
Of unoccupied room in the spectators gal
leries. Prominent among the Invited guests
occupying the raised seats at the rear OF the plat
form were Senator John A. Logan and Francis =.
Barlow, Collector Arthur, L. w. StoughtOn, Waldo
Hutcmns, and John COchrane OF New-IOTk. MesSrs
Logan aud StOughtOn lent much Dicturespcness TO
the scene. Several Congressman and ex-COngress-
men were sprinkled among the crowd and they
looked very much like ordinary men, which of course
they are not. The space IN front of and below the
stage was illuminated with grace and beauty the
intelligence and moral worth Of the press OF the
land.
Beyond the press seats were the seven hundred
and odd delegates, mostly bald-hcaded and having
the appearance of being burdcned with great and
solemn responsibilities. The Maine delegation oc-
cupied the front seats at the left Of the Chair and
next on their left was New-YOrk. The Maine dele
gates had rather cheerful and satisfied look, and
Messrs Hale and Frye in particular had the calm
and Contented appearance of men who sat holding
most OF the triumph in the pack, and waiting
in confidence for the game TO begin. The
HewYork delegation had pensiye look, a
little tingcd with melancholy, and Mr. George w.
Curtis, sitting in their midst in lonely grandeur.
seemed TO be among them but not Of them" in
the Massachusetts, seats little further back sat
James Russell Lowell, Freeman Clarke and George
F. and Judge T.. Il. Hoar watching the proceedings
curiOusy, but never ndulging in the applause which
followed some Of the speeches or exhibiting any
sympathy with the little bubble Of excitement that
occasionally came TO the surface. Here and there
among the delegations and especially among those
Of the Southern States the dusliy counteances
Of colored delegates, most Of whom appeared to be
entering with intense enjoyment into the scene.
The Convention, as a whole, has unusually in
telligent appearance. There fewer persons in it
who show the office-hOlder and professional
politician in their looks than are ordinarily found in
conventions, aud much larger number Of gentle
men who, without selfish ends TO serve or personal
ambitions TO crafty, have come here with sincere
desire to lift up the party TO higher plane OF purity
and honesty. The Massachusetts, delegation is es-
peciay noteworthy in this regard, it being made up
OF men Of the highest character for ability and in-
tegrity, whose very presence in convention ele-
Yates and dIgniies it,
The hall Of the Exposition Building though spa
eics enough to meet all requirements, is very bad
one for speaking or hearing in. The voice OF a
speaker has to be pitched at very high and un-