New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-05-15
KEYSTONE REPUBLICANS.
THE NIGHT BEFORE THE CONVENTION.

lDY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.i
HARRISBURG, Pa, May 1.-THE Republican State
Convention will meet in this city, at the Opera
House, tomorrow. Its object is to nominate q
candidate for Governor. Leutenant-Goyernor,
Secretary of Internal Affairs and a Judge
of the Supreme Court. 1t promises to-
night, to be the largest convention that
has been held IN many years. 1t will surpass that
of 1872, which is chronicled as one of the largest
in the history of the party. Many dele
gates arrived yesterday, and last evening
the hotel corridors thronRed with groups
of men whose sole topic the convention.
This morning coming trains were freighted
with delegates and their friends and dur
ing the entire day every train has brought
numerous additions Early this morning the
hotels the sidewalks and the middle Of the streets
were crowded 10 an extent rarely known In
the records of Pennsylvania State Conventions. 1t
is noted in many quarters that this indicates return
ing party vigOr The loss of the election last year;
the failure Of the National Greenback Labor party
the recent Philadelphia Convention named ITSELF
to nominate the men who would have been most
formidable to the Republicans, and the deep alarm
which the Wood Tariff Bill has produced, are among
tine causes which are cited as the for this
new life.
There is a prevailing desire to nominate the
strongest man in the State to head the ticket tho
Importance of such action is admitted by all.
The election of the candidate whoever he may be,
Will not be n walk-Over. The Labor party has
nowhere else shown the strength it has in Penn
sylyania. The temperance men, newly awakened
by the Murphy crusade, will put forth
their best efforts. The Democracy, rejoicing
in its victory of one year ago, will enter
the canvass with sangulne hopes and
new resolves. Suffering here in other States
from differences on National politics, the Repub-
lcan party it is urged may fail by its own acts if
concord is not secured by candidates UPON whom all
can unite
For the office Of Governor, two such men have
been put in the fied-ColOnel Henry NJ. HOyt, Of
Luzerne county, and ex-Speaker Galusha 4. Grow,
of SusQuehanna. Either of these men can unite the
party vote and secure its best fighting strength.
To-day there has been no issue on the head of the
ticket except between these men. Other candidates
have been on mems lips. Certain delegations have
been in doubt, but the only STRUGGLED any
is to be in the convention-from all appearances
will be between them. Both have headquarters in
the principal hotels.
Colonel Hoyts friends are counting on a large
vote for him at the first ballot the majority of
them express doubt of his nomination. Sew
cral days ago 4 report was heard that he
would withdraw, but it had no foundation. His
most HOpelul Ilenus lo-lhpnl iholo
than enough votes to nominate him on the first bal
lot. Some say he will have twenty TO spare Ex-
Speaker Grows friends were very confident
last night, but their faith has weakened to-
day. One Of the sources Of their encouragement
is the change in the color of the delegation from
Philadelphia. Edwin ii. Filter for a long time
active in Philadelphia politics, had said he would
be candidate if he could receive the solid vote of
the county, but be failed to get It,
part refused to accept him and declared themselves
for Colonel Hoyt. In spite of this, there are many
well-lnformed men who say that Mr. Filter would
have been . formidable candidate in the COnven-
ton. Some men, not among his supporters
think he would have been nominated at last but
yesterday he withdrew. His expressed reason was
that he had failed of united support at home but
there are reports that RW Mackev in the interest of
Colonel Hoyt induced him to take the STEP while it
is intimatcd that his candidature from the begin
ming was Il fcint in the interest of Colonel Hoyt.
Certain il is that the Philadelphians, unable 10
agree on man from their own city. have come hero
to-day and are now practically united upon Colonel
Hoyt.
This leaves Mr.. Grow without the help which eh
expected either directly or indirectly. from Phil
adelpha. His actual strength at this writing
is placed at sixty. The source of other strength
which he may be found to have, lies in
the remaining three or four candidates. These
are J. F. Wickersham. of Lancaster County,
the present superintendent of Public Inst ruetion
aud the author of the common school system
Of Pennsylvania Henry Rawle, of Erie, the re-
tirng State Treasurer, and General Beaver.
of Center County. Mr. Wckersham will
probably have twenty-five votes on the
first ballot. and Messrs. Rawle and Beaver
twenty together with some other votes scattering.
1t is probable that the greater part Of these would
20 over to Mr.. Grow in the event of abandoning
their own candidate ; few of them would join Colo
mel IIoyt's friends.
The candidate for observation-disclosures will prob
ably be State Senator Stone, of Warren County.
His nomination is urged means of conciliating
the oil section of the State, in which
considerable dissatisfaction exists on account of
legislative action the Pipe Line Bill. The oppo-
sltion to him is feeble. William McSlichael, the ed
itor of The North 1mericdh was mentioned early in
the canvass but his name is now little heard
For the Supreme Judge nomination there will
he n warm contest. The candidates are James L.
Sterrett, of Allegheny County, and Daniel Agnew,
the present Chief-Justice, whose term expires. Mr.
Agnew was candidate in the Labor Convention
last week This ard his advanced age arc urged
against him. Mr., SteTrett was a candidate for SUI
preme Court Judge in former convention, and is
a man of high character and acknowledged ability
The platform has been agreed upon. III
will be brief but pointed. There Will ho
no aliusion to the President. Some delegates think
there should be clause on this subject, but they
are few in number. Administration men are rare.
There is no talk about the President Several
Federal oiicehoders are here and are active work
kers. In the platform will be the following
clauses A general clause adherng to the policy OF
protection, and special one hostile to
tbe new Wood Tariff Bill; clauses declaring that,
labor being the of all wealth. IL Is the duty of
the Nation to protect and encourage IL SO as 10 secure
~. ~, o,,,,lovmap. IN both labor and cnmtal.