The Portland daily press., 1876-04-27
STATE CONVENTIONS.
Massachusetts Republi can.
Large and Harmonious Convention-An
UDpledged Delegation to Cincinnati, but
with preferences for Rrjstoxv

Large and Harmonious Conyention-Au
UppIedged Delegation to Cincinnati, but
with preferences for Bristow.
BOSTON, April 26.-The Republican State
Convention met at fremont Temple this morn
ing. A. M. Beard OF Boston, called the meet.
porary chairman.
Rev. e. b. Webb of the Shawmut Congre-
gatlonal church, Boston, then offered PRAYER.
he asked that in these days when so many are
being assailed as by the tomahawk and scalp
ing knife, we might not judge hastily aud un-
justly; that we might also be spared the foolish
ness OF putting our faith in men untried and
improved, and that we might be blessed as a
nation and people.
A. w. Beard then congratulated the dele
gates that the Republican party was again in
full possession of all departments of the state
government, and that the spirit of reform was
SO strong that the best men were sought for.
He hoped that they would choose as represent
tatives, men Of national reputation who were
seeking public welfare and not their own
aims; men whose characters stood so high as
| to require no pledges, no instructions.
The committee on permanent organi cation
reported for President, John E. Sanford of
Taunton and large list of Vice Presidents and
Secretaries.
The President then addressed the convention
at length. His speech occupied % minutes in
delivering. and was applauded both during
delivery and at its close.
do saiu III SUBSTANCE Inat IL was hardly
necessary to repeat and dwell upon the historic
record of the Republican party, but rather to
scan the present situation and to take note of
existing tendencies and demands.
No one who has watched the current of
political events has failed to see a widespread
and growing dissatisfaction with the manage
NETT of national affairs and as consequence
there have been large and significant defec-
tions from our ranks. We have seen the
Republican party routed in its strongholds and
the national HOuSn Of Repracar tori D,J
by our opponents. 1t is idle to disguise the
fact that there have been periods within the
last few years when the national election would
have brought imminent hazard of Democratic
restoration. Have you any longer doubt he
continued, as to the causes which have wrought
the change in our fortunes? Surely we have
not abjured our creed. Our distinctive policy
and aims were never more clearly affirmed, our
traditions and the names of Jour great leaders
never more reverently held.
No, the protest is not against the record or
! the creed, but against methods of administra-
| tion, against dominant influences and tenden-
cies that have debased the character and tone
OF the public service; against a leadership that
has welded power and patronage for its own
ends and not for the public good; against par
tizanship narrow, intense and violent, that has
usurped the place OF broad and enlightened
craftsmanship and repellediaccessions of rec
ognlzed character and ability as an element too
repugnant to be tolerated; against code of
financial morality that has corrupted the STAN
dards of official honesty and turned places of
public trust into opportunities of private gain
or public plumber.
There is, in addition to the anxious lookout
for relief from the long continued depres-
sion that rests upon the material interests of
the country, a well founded conviction that we
have had enough of partisan skirmish and in
efficiency, of manipulation for political effect,
and that 1T is time for party that proposes to
stand on its positive merits, for statesman
ship that undertakes to do something for the
country, that is competent to deal with the
evils of currency which blunts the public
conscience while it paralyzes the business of
the people, to purify the civil service by select
ing the fit and promoting the faithful to rescue
the public revenues from conspiracy and theft;
to relieve by sound and watchful economy the
public burdens, and thus by the promise of a
wise, efficient and stable policy, and to restore
confidence to the channels of trade and ndust-
ry. There is no magic in party or names or
gratitude for past achievements that will atone
for present failures.
A new generation of voters is coming on the
stage. However he may be nominated the
next President will not be elected by the bund-
dreds who are active In the preiminaries of the
campaign, but by the thousands who will 20 to
the polls in November. knowing no allegiance
and needing no command save that of their
own conviction. Measures and not men are no
longer the maxim of political wisdom. Meas
ures and men is the watchword for to-day.
The Republican party will be recreant to
commanding duty, nay. will invite the penalty
of deserved defeat, if it does not place itself
with unbesitating courage in the very front of
the movement for reform and carry it forward
with incorporating ZEAL The duty and
remedy is not to scuttle the good old ship, but
to pump out the bilge water, discharge the re-
creant and summon to command true and
worthy men. We can afford to make no mis-
take, and Heaven forbid that we present to the
country merely choice of evils Expediency
and patriotic duty alike demand that our can
didate stand so peerless in character ability
and purpose that we fear no criticism end no
comparison.
On motion of Robert johnson of Boston, a
committee on ballots was chosen.
A. W. Beard read the following letter from
Gov. Rice:
My dear sir-I observed in some of this
mornings papers my name mentioned as one
OF the candidates for delegates to the National
Republican Convention at Cincinnati, and
while grateful for the kindness of any who
would honor me with so high trust whenev-
er consulted on the subject I have uniformly
declined such use of my pane, and that decls-
ion must still adhere to, with this added re-
quest, that you will withdraw my name in case
it should be presented to the convention which
is assembled today for the choice of delegates.
The state abounds in men eminent in the re-
quisites for this responsible duty, and I doubt
not the convention will make such a selection
as will show that Massachusetts favors only
such candidates as will command and deserve
the support and confidence of the people of the
county.
81. B. Blackwell of Boston, offered series
of resolutions in favor of civil service reform,
and the nomination of candidates in favor of
such principles: that the energy and courage
of b. h. Bristow in unraveling the dark deeds
of the whisky ring. merit our hearty approval.
Mr.. Bailey of Boston moved 70 refer the
committee on resolutions without debate
DR.. Hartman of Bostan offered an amend.
ment that the high character of Hon. James
G. Blaine, his public services and his abilities
entities him to the highest Office in the gift of
the people,
Blackwell proceeded to argue in favor of his
resolution in spite of points of order that
under the motion he could not discuss the
merits of the question.
The chair ruled that the merits of candidates
could be discussed. There was an attempt to
choke him off by noise and applause, but
Blackwell keld his place.
Mi. Allen of Boston, as supporter of Mr..
Brstow, regretted to have this subject opened
at this time and moved that the whole matter
lie on the table. Carried, Mr.. Blackwell alone
Directing.
Mr. Pierce of Milton, for committee on reso.
buttons, reported one resolution:
Resolued, That this committee leaves the dele
gates of Massachusetts to the Republican National
Convention, unpledged and unrestricted in respect
OF individual candidates. (Applause) But expects
aud requires them each and all to work and vote for
those candidates and those only whose characters
and career give unquestionable assurance to the |
whole country that they will be faithful and Jealous
to maintain the equal rights of all citizens nnder the
constitution, to tring about resumption of specie
payments at date not later than that already fixed
by law, and to effect thorough and radical reform of
civil service to the end that the administration of
public affairs may be characterized by efficiency,
economy and purity.
The resolution was carried unanimously.
Mr.. Stone of Waltham reported for com. |
mittee on credentials that there were $3.50 pres |
ent, and that by reason of Irregularities neither
delegation from Ward IL of Boston was en- |
titled to seats. Report accepted
On motion of Mr.. Osborne of East Bridge. |
water, the convention at o'clock proceeded to |
ballot with the following result:
Whole number of votes. ...... ... ......,...969
Necessary for a choice. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 1856
Il. II. d0ar nau.
II. Dana, Jr.,..............
y. M. FORBES ........................529
+ A. ChadDourne ..'.........,..... 4U7
A. d. Bullock. .........................283
VIM Cogswell. ........................376
II. Learned.
q Cldrk ....s..... .ZS3
w. b. WashDurne. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
y. ". Lang s.s.'''................ 70
.. =. oanIoru. ...ss..s.............. ~
L. A. TalDot
scattering ...'....... OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. II
On motion of Mr. Wllcomb of Ipswich
Paul A. Chadbourne, who received the next
to the highest number of votes, was declared