New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-09-27

disposed TO improve the rare opportunity they now
enjoy of showing how n State convention could be
welcomed The great hall was hung round with
flags of all nations and colors, and the broad
handsome platform was decked with flowers.
In order that there might be no favortism
and no suspicion of in the admission Of persons as
spectators no tickets were issued either for specta-
tors or delegates: but there was no crowding or con-
fusion and the convention opened quietly. 1t was q
noticeably fine-ooking body of men, trite as that
remark has become about State conventions. The
rowdy element-never very large, to be sure, in
Republican convention-was now conspouously
absent. There was also a marked proportion of men
of past and present prominence in the organization.
OF Congressman and ex-Congressmen there, :.
Lyman Tremain, Charles II. Adams, Hamilton Ward,
Giles w. Hotchklss Henry Van Arnany, W. L. Ses-
sions, Jno. II. Ketchum, g. H. Bagey, c. l.. Merriam,
John ID. Lawson, Frank Hiscock, A. L. Mccarthy,
A. r. James, Calvin T. Hurburd Thomas c. Platt,
and w. II. Baker. OF present and former Senators
and Assemblymen there were: Elliott c. Cowdin,
Henry II. Person, A. j. Wellman, o. T. Tracy. VIM.
b. Woodin, Isaac Plumb, F. w. Tobey, VIM. f. Cal
kins. George w. FAY. Myron A. Mckee. VIM. w.
Goodrich, Jacob Worth, Jonathan +. Morey Mer-
chant Ellington, Harrison A. Lyon, Thomas Muir
ply Edward Nj Madden, Dan. II. Cole ID. W. c.
Peck. Hamilton Fish, jr. L. Bradford Prince, A. b.
u, y. y.
love, Henry Smith, VIM. Gullcl, j. f. b. Santee, Eu-
gene b. Gere, Robert Waddell, Chauncey NJ. De-
pew, George H.. Foster Wocott j. Humphreys,
Edgar Shannon and Jeremiah Thistlethwaite.
Before the convention was called to order, Mr..
Conllug had made his appearance on the floor, near
the platform, in the midst of group of friends,
among whom 4. b. Cornell, ex-COngressman John
D. Lawson, Lyman Tremain, Henry i. iierson and
Superntendent of Insurance Smyth were cOnspcu-
ous Mr.. Conhling seated himself in the middle
aisle one OF two seats back from the front
the best place to command the whole conven-
ton. lie had evidently come to lead his
forces into battle. Mr.. Curtis. the rival leader,
sat far back in the hail. There were some signif-
cant smiles when Mr.. Cornell, bringing down his
gavel, announced that he appeared as the Chairman
of the state Committee 70 call them together IN ac-
cordauce with the standing rules Of Republican
State conventions, giving the Presidents order the
cold shoulder with all politcness. The original in
tention TO make Lyman Trcmain temporary chair
ran was abandoned, as bis health does not
permit him to stand for any length of time.
When the name Of ex-Concressman Platt,
Of Tora was announced for the position,
there was some applause, in which Mr.. C0ukllng
ined Indeed, Mr. Coullling had n great deal to do
with the applause. will be seen further on. Nf.
Platts speech was, to say the least extraordinary,
Int many portions of il were acceptable II not 30
the whole convention at least to the distinguished
delegate from Oneida. When he spoke of the pur-
pose of the convention % 70 recognize the fighting
soldiers of the old Republican army" there was no
response from the mass Of the conventions but
Mr.. Conkliug, with the small knot Of friends about
him. applauded. When he spoke OF the indignation
with which strong Republican faith spurned tho
suggestion that the mission OF the Republican party
(; 4 t1,o general
Coukling led il. But he did not lead it, and
there were very few signs Of approval. when
Mr. Patt made his unexpected attack upon
Secretary Evarts, abiding TO his c0nncc-
ton with President JohnsOn's Administration,
and his alleged vote for Mr.. Tlden for Governor and
characterzng persons of his class as never having
had any honest Republican principles. When Mr..
Platt declared that Republicans had confidence in
their old leaders and were determined TO stand by
them, there was considerable applause, which
Mr. Conkling did not lead for this in
compliment to him. 1t was not, however,
TIL Gen. Grants name was mentioned that
the convention really showed any animation.
Then there was a great burst OF applause. MIR.
Conkhng raising his white hands above his head
and clappng loudly This rose and fell, and rose
and fell again. and broke out yet again when Slr.
PIatt feelingly spoke of Gen. Grant as a man who
his handkerchief in ecstasy. The passage of the
speech in which Mr.. Platt discussed Civil Service
Reform was cOOlly received, and there was
some faint kissing. The speech. as whole,
produced a furry Of excitement entirely
unconnected with its force or wisdom. 1t
was asked on all sides; Is this the keynote OF the
conventionl Is this what Mr.. Conklings modera-
ton and prudence are to amount to-attacklng the
New-York member of the Cabinet in the New-lork
Convention and openly sneering at the Civil Service
policy2 This comment by no means decreased,
when it was found that the slips of the
speech which were distributed Immediately after
its delivery, showed that the speech as
printed differed materially from the speech as
read. The attack Mr. Evarts was evidently an
afterthought for it was not to be found in the
printed copy, while that copy was passage
marked off.
Mr. Platt's speech was characterized by
some of Mr. Conkling's warmest friends as
iniudiclous. to say the least, and some OF
them seemed anxious to have it understood that he
spoke only for himself. This view seemed plausible
enough, and would have doubtless been fully
adopted if it had not been for Mr. Conklings unex-
pected and singular action at the afternoon session.
The speech was most severely criticised, however,
on the ground that it was in exceedingly bad taste
for a man whose attempt to secure Cabinet posi-
ton had been somewhat notorious, to make such an
attack on an Administration winch he had failed to
enter. This point. Will be seen farther on.
sneaker made effective use of afterwards.
The first slight friction of the day came over the
old question of the Independent Republicans of
New-York, who made their usual demand for adms-
SION The question raised was whether or not the
names of the regular delegation should be excluded
from the hall, until the contest had been heard