New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-26
ApANDEMONITM FOR HOURS.

10y TELEaRAPH THE TRIBUNE.l
SYRACUSE N. Y, Sept. 25.-The time for opening
tbe convention which was to prove one of the
stormiest in the history of the Democratic party
was - o'clock; but the proceedings were not IN
fact opened until an hour later. The delay was
due to the session of the State Committee, which
was having anything except a harmonious meeting.
The place of meeting was Wieting's Opera House, a
building we'll adapted for the purpose, being large
enough to give abundant room for the delegates on
the floor and having gallery of fair size. The
Opera House is plainly but neatly fitted up and
decorated
As the delegates passed up the stairs to enter the
hall to-day, each was given little pamphlet con-
tanning an Antl-Tammany attack on the "One-man
power in New-YOrk. Each seat contained larger
pamphlet, which was intended as a Tammany anti
dote to the poison of the Antl-Tammany attack
This had the memorial of the bankers and business
men, adopted several months ago. approving Mr.
Kelly's administration of the Controllers Office,
with report of the meeting at which the memorial
was presented and the comments of the press on
the affair.
The hall was rapidly filed. The regulation that
no man should be admitted without delegates
ticket was not strictly enforced and not few per-
sons entered without them. Tickets were dis
tributed to them in the hall afterward. The con-
testing delegates from Kings County were given
tickets, but the Anti-Tammany representatives
were refused them; the good fortune of the Kings
County contestants was due to Tammany's hostil-
itv to McLaughln's followers. AS the delegates
entered, they sought seats in groups according to
their affiliations the majority of the TIlden men
being on the rght-hand side of the hail. and their
opponents being on the left.
During the hour of waiting the report ran through
the assemblage that the Tilden men had been sue
-. NIo of
the formation of the Committee on Contested Seats
and on putting the Purdy delegation from West
chester on the roll. This caused no small amount
of excitement.
INCIDENTS OF THE FIRST HOUR.
At o'clock the members Of the State Committee
came in. As Mr.. Kelly entered, with Augustus
sehell on one hand and Major Quincy on the other
there was great burst Of applause from his sup
porters, and one young and ardent Democrat wildly
waved his handkerchief Mr. Kelly took q seat in
the central part of the house in the seventh row,
conspicuous and convenient position. At his side
was the benignant cOuntenanoe of Mr.. Schell while
lust beyond could be seen General Spinola's shirt
collar.
Mr.. Laning, the temporary chairman, read his
speech in a forcible manner. but the speech con-
tanned nothing novel OF startling, and did not in
flame the Democratic heart. His reference to the
Presidential fraud cry the did not touch on the
cipher telegrams) set some hands in motion but
when he begged his hearers to raise the Democratic
flag higher not man stirred.
There was q little squall portentous of the ap-
preaching tempest over the appointment Of tenn
porary secretaries John C. Jacobs wanted to
know what county Major Quincy repre-
sented. because to have a man for secretary
whose seat was contested might cause
complications. This matter was smOothed over
and the men selected by the State Committee were
made the secretaries. Mr. Jacobs had avoided any
possibility of his being barred from taking part in
any Of the proceedings by CONTEST He appeared
in the convention representing Saratoga, and not
Kings County, although be lives in Brooklyn. This
caused several sarcastic filings from the antiTiden
side; Mr.. Jacobs being one of the most prominent
supporters Of Mr, Tilden in ne convention.
The calling of the roll, as made up by the State
Committee, consumed much time, but there were
some lively Incidents When the credentials Of the
cOntesting delegations were handed in, Smith Weed
who acted as the leader of the Tilden forces ac-
cused an assistant secretary Of the State Committee
Of pOcketing the credentials Of contesting dele
CATION from Madison and refusing to return them.
This caused some bad feeling. When Mr. Jacobs
handed in the credentials of the Anti-Tammany
delegation. vigorous Kissing was heard, which some
ofthe Tilden men tried TO smother by hearty APP
plause. The names of Nelson ). Waterbury, Andrew
H. Green, James O'Brien. Edward Cooper and others
were hssed with great energy.
TAAiMANY PRECIPITATEs THE ANNUAL FIGHT
As soon as the rollcall was concluded, trouble be-
gan Smith Weed tried to get the floor, but Mr.. Ian
ing would not recognize him. This was one of the
many instances OF Mr. Laning's unfairness, which
was very conspicuous throughout the proceedings
George G. Greene, of Niagara was recognized in ac-
cordance with the ant-Tilden scheme arranged with
Mr. LaDing in advance; and he offered resolutions
TO the effect that the Tammany delegation from
New-YOrk and the Mclaughlin delegation from
Kings Comfy be allowed to take part in all the
proceedings until the decision of the contests. The
previous question was Immediately moved to cut off
debate and cries of Question" Question" were
heard straightway from the Tammany delegates
aud their allies.
The convention was at fever heat IN an instant
The success Of the resolutions would mean the de-
feat Of the Tilden men, and they were enraged at
the attempt 10 stihe debate The yeas and nays on
tho previous question demanded, and the call
ing Of the roll was begun.
TERRIFIC CONFUSION FOR HOURS
wranglo arose over the very first county AL
banyl, as there contest there. There was
some bitter talk, IN which Mr.. Weed accused the
other side of unfairness. The chairman decided
that the roll should be called as made up by
the State Committee. but he directed the
secretary to defer calling the New-YOrk and Kings
County delegations, reseTving his decision on their
night 70 vote because they we're interested in the
Passage Of the resolutions. When all the counties
iiaa been called except New-YOrk and Kings 1872
asegates had voted in favor Of tho previous CUES
son' and l54 against it. This was test VOTE aud
" 81 the utmost Importance. The Tilden wing
O'eo against the previous question. and their Op-
9onents IN favor Of It.
:. 40" came the vital issue-whether or not the