New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-01-14
TIE PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST

TIE PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST.
THE REPUBLICANS TO MEET AT CINCINNATI.
TILE FRIENDS or MORTON, BLAINE, AND BRlsrOW
DIVIDED BETWEEN CINCINNATI, CHICAGO AND
PHILADELPHIA A THREATENED COALITION
AGAINST MORTON BY THE CHICAGO AND PHILA-
DFLPHIA DELEGATES FNLs-CHGICE OF CINCIN-
NATI-THE' CONVENTION TO MEET JUSE II.
IDr TELEGRAPH rHE rRIBUsE.l
WASHINGTON, Jan. 13.-1he meeting of the Re
publican National Committee here to-day was CON
roled by Presidential considerations. The candidates
whose interests actively advocated III the dcib-
erations and in the final choice Messrs Morton,
Bristow and Blaine. The advocacy of these candi-
dates was not publicly avowed but privately it was
constantly, although conhdentally, conceded. The
key to the contest was this: Senator Morton pre-
ferred location as far south as possible. He
expects 10 have all the delegates from
Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and prob
ably from other Southern states. He naturally de-
sired to have the place of meeting "a near as posi-
bile TO the nucleus of his strength. his
could be best accomplished by the
choice of Cincinnati. That locality would
give Mr. Morton the additional advantage of
being continuous TO his own State. The
Governor was present at the deliberations OF
the Committee, and seemed to have good con-
troll of his friends. Secretary Bristows friend
for similar reasons desired Cincinnati. They rely
upon having the entire Kentucky delegation and
to-day declared that thcy were confident of having
Ohio. They decided, therefore, that Cincinnati
wonld be their best rallying point. The
friends of both Brstow and Morton
claimed that the atmosphere of Chicago was friendly
to Mr.. Blaine. This was another reason,
for them. against Chicago. The majority Of
the Blaine men, however, voted for Phila-
delpha. They imagined that Mr.. Blaine would
have some prestige in his native State
that he might not have elsewhere notwithstanding
the fact that the Republican Convention
of that State has already declared for
Iartranit. The Chicago delegates wcro not
Influenced by any presidential considerations.
coalition between the Philadelphia and Chicago
votes was attempted in the interval between tho
morning and evening session. 1t was proposed to
threaten Senator Morton that if he did not
withdraw his votes from Cincinnati, this coalition
would select Philadelphia. The condition of the
ballot at that time rendered this proposition posi-
BILE. The ballot was: Cincinnati 20; Philadelphia,
10; Chicago, a. total. 43; necessary to a
choice, %. The Union of Chicago and Phila-
delphia would then have given one majority for
either place This coalition was formed. and would
have been successful if it had been possible TO
control the 1G Philadelphia votes. II was not
possible, as the final ballot, fixing Cincinnati as tine
place, and June Ii as the time for holding the CON
vention shows. The ballot Cincinnati,
%; Chicago. IS; Philadelphia, 3. The
coalition could not control all of the
Philadelphia votes. Three remained with Phila-
delphia and two went to Cincinnati, while only
IL went to Chicago The latter place required five
more votes. Cincinnati was chosen by exactly the
necessary number of votes. There is good deal OF
feeling between the Morton and Blaine men on ac-
count of this.
The charge is made that many of the proxies have
always voted the Democratic ticket. Congress
men who have been longest here say that
the choice of time renders n session
until Aug probable. 1t has often been the custom
for Congress to bit until after both political conyen
tiOns have adjourned. Both parties generally review
in Congress the respective platforms and put the party
records into speeches for distribution in the cam
pailm. Tie Democratic Convention is not likely TO
be held until after the Republican Convention adj
iourned The tendency in the House will
DC to withhold the reports Of many OF
the investigating committees until after the
Republican Convention, and in that event
the Republican Senate would he likely to prevent
IN adjournment until cOunter-statements could DC
made IN reply to the reports of these Democratic in
yestigations. The indications, therefore, are that
the session cannot be terminated much before
Aug. l.