The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-01-09
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
A Stormy Meeting Preliminary to
the Republican Convention.
BITTER PERSONAL ASSAULTS
MADE,
The Hayes Men claim a Majority
Of the Delegates.

CONCORD, N. h., Jan. o.-Ihe usual me citing
of delegates and members of the State Com
mittee held on the night previous to the State
Convention, occurred this evening in Whites
Opera House. There was good attendance.
though not as large as on some previous occa-
sions, owing probably to the severity of tho
weather. In view of the division OF sentiment
10 the party on the Presidents policy, more
than usual interest was felt in the action Of the
convention, and it was anticipated by many
that there would be considerable excitement in
the sessions of the committees tonight or 10 the
convention tomorrow, particularly as VIM E,
Chandler is one of the delegates 1t was the.
general opinion that if any fight occurred it
would begin in the meeting tonight, and that
possibly the differences would be adjusted SO
that the proceedings of the convention tomor-
row would be harmonious. The result of the
caucuses all over the state made it more mani
fest that there was very formidable pro-Hayes
element in the Republican party, and the opiu-
ions expressed by the delegates in conversation
at hotels ia the evening showed that it would
be impossible to pass resolutions condemnatory
of the President or his policy Iu the early
part of the evening it seemed that both parties
were disposed to make concessions, and it was
thought II the matter was not entirely ignored
the endorsement mace in the resolutions, if
any. woald be OF mild or non-oommittal char
acter. A strong feeling against Chandler was
freely expressed by the delegates, and it was
claimed by Chander's friends that there had
been an organized effort to crush him, secret
meetings having been held for that purpose,
and that various prominent men had been
drawn into it,. The meeting was opened at 8
O'Clock, and during the early part of the even.
ing the proceedings were quiet and harmonious,
though in many Of the speeches there were in-
cdental or indirect attacks on Chambers re-
cent letter.
The fest speech was made by ex-United
States Senator Patterson of Hanover, who,
though be endorsed the President, doubted the
advisabiity of introducing the matter into the
convention as there was disagreement upon
it.
Gen. A. f. Stevens of Nashua, advocated
coucilatory course by the party but did not
wish to see the President impeached.
Major Evarts W: Farr of Litteton, gave
President Hayes and his policy most cordial
and unqualified endorsement and thought he
should be endorsed by the convention.
o. G. Moore of Nashua, thought defeat in
March to the Republican party would be the
suit of non-endorsement of the President.
VIM E. Chandler spoke briefly, saying his
views had been recently expressed in letter.
He said he stood by the letter. He spoke in
high terms of Gov. Prescott and predicted his
reelection.
Larkn D. Mason of Tamworth, advocated
peace, though he spoke somewhat in favor of
the "boedy shirt"
Gen. Luther McCntchins of New London.
spoke briefly, taking ground somewhat against
the national administration.
Hon. Amos a. Tuck Of Exeter, endorsed
President Hayes, saying his administration
would compare fayorably with those of WASH
ingJon, Quincy Adams and Lincoln.
Hon. Walter Hartman of Concord deprecat-
ed any division in the convention and thought
the resolutions of the Cincinnati convention
and resolutions Of the legislature relative to
President should be endorsed.
Hon. Mason w. Tappan endorsed the Presi-
dent and attacked Chambers letter and said
any. attempt to force its sentiments down the
throats OF the convention would not be tolerat-
ed. He advocated the passage of resolution
of endorsement and predicted defeat if it was
not done.
VIM. e. Chandler responded that if any
such resolution was to be drawn up Tappan
was the man to do as he had been in the habit
OF writing solutions for both political parties
since 1872.
A bitter personal controversy then took place
between them, Tappan denying Chambers
charge
Chandler then spoke at length, criticising
the action OF the President. He spoke of the
attacks made upon him by two naval officers,
Hartman and Tuck, and intimated certain ir-
regularltles on the pars of Tuck while in Office.
Tuck retorted by calling Chandler a political
tramp and charged him with dishonorable con-
duct as a Lobbyist
Messrs. Moore and Tappan then spoke, the
latter quite severely on Chandler.
Major Farr made the closing speech and in
speaking of the Southern policy said he was
willing to shake hands with the man who shot
the bullet through his arm.
The committee on resolutions will be Gilman
Marston of Exeter, Jacob 3. Young of Med
bury, Reuben W. Page of Gilmanton, L. D.
Mason OF Lamworth, VIM. E. Stevens of Con-
cord, Orrin @. Moore of Nashua, John w. Sta
bird of Keene, Levi w. Boston of Newport,
James W. Patterson of Hanover and Alfred
r.. Evans of Gorham.
Committee on Credentals-One from each
county.
No newspaper reporters were admitted to the
meeting, which closed little before one
o'clock.
What will occur in the convention tomorrow
it is impossible to predict, though if the troubles
are not adjusted tonight it is probable that
there will be bitter fight in the convention
tomorrow.
1t is claimed that large majority of the con-
vention are in favor of the President, though
the committee on resolutions seem to be rather
anti-Hayes.
1t is understood a delegate has in his posses-
sion letter from Congressman Kahn and Rain
ey of South Carolina, which endorses the South
ern policy of the President. 1t is said the let
ter sets forth the beneficial effects of the Pres-
dents measures upon the colored people, and
was written from personal observation to New
Hampshire Congressman. 1t is also said the
letter will be used in the convention in case an
attack is made upon the President.