The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-08-12
DEMOCRATIC STATE COMMITTEE.

spEcULArIoNs AS 10 THE RESULT OF THE con-
NEXT CONVENTION.
The Democratic State Committee will meet on the
18th inst. at Niagara Falls to select the time and
place holding the Convention their party Great
interest is centred in thecomng meeting by democrats
throughout the State because of the struggle that
has been going on between Messrs. Kelly and
Tilden the former seeking to retain his hold this
most important part of machinery in the organiza-
tion and the latter to wrest the controlling power
from his great rival. The well-defned attitude
of the democratic leader in this city to Governor
Robinson. and Mr.. Tilden, it il thought leaves no
hope of any compromise OF existing differences. and
the battle WILL 1t is believed be fought to the bitter
end. The meeting Of the State Committee is where
the first engagement will be had and upon its result
very much depends. 1t is argued that il the Tilden
wing of the party can control the committee and
shape it's deliberations there will be but small hope
of defeating Tilden's candidate for the gubernato-
rial chair. II. the other hand. Mr.. Kelly should
succeed in defeating the little game or his willy
tagonist. then Governor Robinson it held. might
us well retire to private life. It will thus
readily be that the approaching meeting is one
fraught with great interest to both democratic fac
tons. At the last meeting of the State Committee
long and acrimonious contest took place for the
control Of the body. Mr.. Tlden tried his best but
was beaten by Mr. Kelly. who secured bare majority
of the delegates. Mr. Purcell. who the anti-r1l
den candidate for chairman was elected by q major
ity of two votes. Mr.. Henry 4. Gumbleton, whom
Mr.. Kelly put in nomination for the Office Of
tary of the committee, was chosen by majority of
only 1t appeared that Mr. William j. Moses.
of Auburn, who had been elected to the committee
as an anti-Tilden man thad deserted to the enemy.
and the ballot for secretary lie voted for Mr. Til
denis candidate. He was subsequently appointed
to the wardenship of the Auburn State Prison.
IMPORTANCE OF THE COMMITTEE.
To obtain control Of the State Committee on the
of great election is of great Importance. A
friendly temporary chairman can do great many
things to aid person or faction with whom
he is in sympathy. Besides all this the
Committee on Platform and Credentials can
exercise unlimited sway over admissions to the
meeting. The party controlling the State Committee
can also in great measure decide who shall
be admitted to the Convention hall He can Through
the Chairman, issue tickets of admission to which,
of the contrasting delegation he likes, and can
permit the friendly ones to have voice in the
organization of the Convention. In this way, it will
be seen. the Tammany forces could be routed horse
and foot in Mr.. Tilden obtained control. 1t
stated that the Tilden men have claimed the power Of
making any delegation desiring admission to
ton pledge itself to support the nomination agreed
upon in advance OF the candidate for Governor
being named. Tammanys position in regard to
Governor Robinson would prevent her concurrence
in any such pledge, and it is said to be the pro-
gramme mapped out by Mr. Tilden. if he should be
able to control things, to admit the ant-Tammany
delegation from this city upon its taking the
quired pledge. thus virtually ignoring Tammany.
II this course should be followed Mr. Tilden would
obtain control not only Of the next Convention, but
also Of the next State Committee and the delegation
to the National Convention.
WHERE WILL CONVENTION BE HELD?
The place of meeting and the time OF holding y
State Convention very often. means great deal and
have great influence in the selection Of candidates.
This year it is said that Mr.. TiIden and his
clans are DESTROYS OF quathng the delicious
waters Of Saratoga Springs and seeking to
have the Convention called at that place. Mr.. Kelly,
however, would much rather have Rochester
as place Of meeting. Then. again. Mr..
Tilden is said to want the Convention held
before the Republican Convention is con-
canvass made solely State issues. Mr.. Kelly.
however, thinks the Convention should meet after
the republicans have completed their selection Of
candidates. This is the way the fight in this regard
stands at present.
VERY IMPORTANT SUBJECT.
The State Committee will, ut their meeting this
year, probably be confronted with q very grave
matter, which will have to be decided be-
fore anything else is DONE This relates to
the basis of representation in the State Con-
vention. At the last Convention the basis of
population was the standard. each Assembly dis
trict being allowed three delegates. The republi-
cans have adopted a different rule One delegate is
allowed for every 800 republican votes cast in an
Assembly district. 1t is said that attempt
will be made to have similar rule adopted
by the democrats Some shrewd observers predict
that II the Convention were held the basis Of
democratic votes Mr.. Tiden could not control
it. 1t is probable. therefore. that he will
oppose the innovation and claim that the
committee has control over the matter.
1t may be that two democratic conventions will be
held i'll this State-one by the Tiden democrats and
the other by the Kelly democracy This, it is urged
would split the party and give the State to the
publicans.