The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-08-17
The Republican Conventions.

of Maryland met at Raine's Hall
yesterday afternoon for the purpose
naming a day for the meeting of the
cOnve ntionS in the iX'CongreSSiOnal
districts of the State to nominate
! Republican candidates for Congress,
to be voted for at the State election
| November 18th. Hon. r. Stockett
Matthews, the chairman of the COM
mittee, presided. and Mr.. Emory
Weatherby acted as secretary.
After the committee was called to
order questions arose as to the num-
Der required to do business, and one
member stated that he would prefer
to see more counties represented be-
fore taking action for Congressional
conventions. Mr.. Mathews said that
President Hayes order last year pro-
! hibiting Federal Officeholders to
take active part in politics left the
committee without a quorum, and
| the State Central committee author
| lied the executive committee to fill
| the vacancies. Some of the members
50 appointed never made their APP
pearance, however. He wanted the
State central committee next fall to
remedy the evil. A motion was
adopted that members of the State
central committee present be author
lied to represent such counties as
were not represented at the meeting
by the executive committee.
Mr.. Albert Small, of Washington
county, remarked that the compost
ton of the State central committee
two years ago was of questionable
character, so lar as the qualifications
of some of its members were concern
ed. He deplored the factious spirit
existing among the party in Balti-
more, and said that as long as it eX-
listed the organization would be at a
disadvantage. There is only one
chance for the party to succeed in
the Congressional fight, and this was
in the Sixth district, which it is pos
sible for the Republicans, with good
work and management, to carry. If
the party is united the Democrats
will be beaten in that district, but
there is work to be done. He again
counselled unity in the party, and
added LET us bury past disagree
ments and strife, and sacrifice pri-
vate interest for the good of the par
ty, and not allow our selfish ends to
operate in detriment to the general
good, and victory will perch upon
our banner"
Mr.. Weatherby said that great par
~ Indifference exists in the counties.
Very often tWo-thirds of the mem
bers from the counties are not repre-
scented at the meetings Of the com
mittee.
Mr.. Mathews also deplored the
lack Of party zeal in some of the
counties. 81 tell you waere the
trouble lies," said Mr.. Mathews.
1--WE have not had an active can
VaSS in the city and State for years.
The Republican party has not pre-
Sented a bold front and nominated
its own candidates for some time
past, but endorsed other peoples can.
didates. Instead of keeping its or
gauization intact, it ran its members
into strange paths and aided others
with the influence which it had with
the National Government. | am in
favor of making Congressional NOM
nations in every district, and believe
we can elect three members instead,
as stated, one member of Congress.
l am in favor of making straight
out fight everywhere" Mr.. Mathews
said that he could call the State Cen
trail committee, but the attendance
would not be bit better.
Mr.. Small, continuing, said that
he thought it imperatiyely necessary
that the tOunties should be repres Il
ted. The essential feature of the
Republican party was unity. They
fought for it from 1861 to 1865, and
won it. He wanted unity among the
party of the State. The party in his
section was thoroughly in earnest,
and wants to save the State from the
thraldom in which it has fallen by
the factional fights in the city of Bal
timore, and which were the means
Of losing the State to the party in
1867. He was here to protest against
all side issues. He was for unity and
would haye it, even if the Sixth dis
trict must separate and organize a
new convention. He wanted to show
there was an element in the party
which could rise above mere faction
and selfish aim and seek the welfare
of the party. They were prepared
to nominate a candidate and elect
him.
A member stated that if there was
any incompleteness in the executive