The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-05-23
PENN'A DEMOCRACY.
FIRST DAY OF THE STATE CON
VENTION.
Large Attendance of DeIegates-The
Convention "a Fine-LoOking Body
OF Men-Permanent Organiza-
tiOn AGected-First Blood
for wallace.
correspondence OF the Register.

ment and busy conference. Brass bands
trsversed the streets and serenaded their
fsvorlte candidates, who, of course, re-
sponded in the neatest of speeches, re-
markable for their friendliness. The no.
tells were gally Illuminated, notably the
Monongahels House, the headquarters OF
the Hopkins and McCandless factions.
ENTERING THE ARENA.
Tea o'clock was the hour fixed tor the
opening of the Convention, and long be-
fore that time delegates gathered about
the doors of Library Hall, anxious
for the tray, in order to re-
turn home. Just before the hall
doors were opened large delegations
came in on the morning trains AMI the
work OF buttonhonng was proceeded
with in manner quite amusing to look
ers.on. The press gang, however, was
the first delegation admitted to the hall,
they passing through a side entrance to
the stage, which wos soon filled with
members OF the fraternity. Col. A. h.
Mcclure, of the Philadelphia Times, sat
in state, surrounded by three members Of
his staf. Shortly before ten o'clock the
main doors were opened and the anxious
delegates trooped IN, filing all available
space IN short order. Before quiet WIS
secured the Great Western Band, ofthis
city, played lively air, and at Its cor
clusiOn State Chairman McClelland
called the Convention to order and
stated that he had requested Rev.
DR.. d. Y. Junkin, OF New Castle,
10 open the proceedings with prayer The
delegates glanced one at the other for
moment, and then stood solemIp y while
the venerable Doctor of Divinity in
voked the divine blessing on the men,
bers of the convention, and the object
for which they were assembled. BY this
time the delegates we're IN good disposl-
ton for business.
THE FIRST DIFFERENCE.
The reverence of the delegates soon
fOrsook them, however, when the Chair
instructed the reading provisional Secre-
tsrv to read the printed list Of delegates
prepared by himself. This raised storm
lnstanter. The opponents OF the Wsl-
lace clan interpreted this as means of
carrying the temporary organization, ss
number of Walsces delegates had
their seats contested. Mr.. MCClellsnd
was welded to his printed list while
Malcolm HAY. ESQ, DR.. Il. A. Wood
and others insisted on the
regular plan of making roll
while reading the credentials They
wanted the question Of contested seats
settled at once. and all Of their oratoricsl
colleagues were on the floor at once,
clamorlng to be hoard. Finally a mo.
tion was made that districts be passed
oger where seats were contested and
leave the settlement of the question to
the Committee on Credentials. This
elevated another breeze. Eventually
Senator Ycrkes passed over to Senator
Wallace, and after whispering IN his ear,
sent word to the chairman that the "boss"
was willing to settle the difficulty in that
way. SO harmony WAS restored and the
reading of the roll was proceeded with.
Alderman Bill McMullin, of Philsdel-
phia, the Beelzebub of every convention
ne attends, made himself particularly
conspicuous during the fOrgolng discus
sion much to the admiration Of his
crowd" and the disgust Of his opponents.
POURING MUSIC ON THE TROUBLED sPIR-
ITS.
Here the band again intruded with a
patriotic air, and the striped bunting
scattered about received several cheers.
The delegates, suddenly realizing that
time WAS tolersbly precious just then, set
about electioneering and instructing, and
a series Of heavy conclusions by the gsvel
were required to reform the disorganIzed
elements.
OPENING THE STRUGGLE.
When Senator Wallace arose, he in
slsntly attracted attention. he obtained
the floor in answer to the Chalrman's re-
quest for nominations for temporary
chairman. In few words be offered the
name of X. Milton Speer, of Huntingdon
county, p. f. Devens, Esq, Of Pnilsdel-
pbia, suggested Hon. VIM. l.. Scott, OF
Erie, the gentleman upon whom the field
was supposed TO have united. Then
the scene became interesting. Pencils
and papers were whipped out
snd.s hundred tally sheets prepared. As
the voting progressed, the faces Ct the
Wallace side assumed roseate hue,
while symptoms OF despair b.suched the
couDtenance of those who then discover
ed that they were in the minority. The
Chair announced that as Mr.. Speer had
received l22 votes and Mr.. Scott 80, Mr..
Speer was the temporary chairman Of
the convention. Not until this triumph
WAS announced did Boss Wallace
manifest any exhuberance of feeling, but
be cAeered with will and swung his tile
vigorously. He well knew the import
and value of drawing Erst blood. On
Mr.. Scots motion the election was made
unanimous and that gentleman appoint
ed to conduct his successful opponent to
the chair.
REAL BUSINESS BEGINS.
Chairman Speer briefly thanked the
convention, and announced himself ready
for business.
On motion of Senator Yerkes, the rules
Governing the House of Representatives
of Pennsylvania were adopted for the
Convention.
Mr.. North, Of Lancaster, presented a
resolution, which wss coGcu7Fed in, pro-
vidlrg for the appointment Of member
from each Senatorial District on Plat
form.
The list of delegates was read over and
the various committees appointed while
thew were at the work.
Senator Allen moved an adjournment
until 4 o'clock, which was carried.
PERMANENT ORGANIZATION.
On reassembling, the Conn mittee on
Permanent Organization reported IN
favor of Hon. Chss. 4. Buckslew for
Permanent Chairman, snd the following
gentleman for Secretaries: w. NJ.
| Singerly, 7. Brent Swesringen, L. Nc.
Conkey, Sol Foster, Jr., Thos. F. Lcgsn,
w. Hayes Greer, w. G. Erskine, Frank
S. Moon, jas. K. Begert. p. @ Hammer,