Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-06-05

eousss q the peesidsnt Of TIE Cincinnati
couveufioa Of 1876 under like cir
cunsssances, and the practice Of Con-
gress to engage in legislation for months
While election contests remained
undetermined. Mr.. Conkling replied in .
very sarcastic temper, c0ngratulating himself
that his little motion consulting only the con-
venience of the convention had offered occas-
ion for display Of eloquence by the gentle
man from Maine. In the course Of his
remarks he referred to the Eastern States a.
4 place prolific of orators if Of nothing more
substantial. Mr.. Conkling's contemptuous
reference to the Maine men drew forth peals
Of applause and laughter. Mr.. Hale arose to
rejoin. According to the expectation Of the
assembly, which was fully conscious that
some time during the convention there must
be q battle OF. wits a. well a. Of arguments
betw cen the leading opponents, and eagerly
watches for every sign Of its approach, M.
Hale began by remarking significantly that he
should reply only to the argunentative por-
tons Of the speech Of the gentleman from
New York; but at the close he Iet0rted to
Conkling's offensive illusions by the sharp
remark that, il he were less waspish and
more amisble this morning than the gentle
man from New York, the great audience well
knew the reason why. This thrust at the
supposed nervousness Of Conkling on account
of Grants waning prospects, drew response
from the audience more hilarious than any
previous one. Tie question was put on
Conklings motion and it was voted down.
While Conkling was delivering his speech
Mr.. Garfield entered the convention. At
sight of him a round of loud applause swept
over the hall. Mr.. Conkling did not know
what caused this interruption, and looked
about in bewilderment until he turned
around and discovered Garfield. Mr.. Joy Of
Michigan then offered a resolution giving
the contestants in the Illinois case right to
be heard by counsel Of their own selection IN
the convention. 1t was well understood
that this was meant to give Bob 1ngersOll an
opportunity to make a speech to the conven-
ton. Several points of order were made
against the resolution by Logan and 'others
upon a rira roce vote. The chairman said
he was unable to tell which side had ma
forty, and ordered the roll to be called.
Evidently it was not desired that this should
be done, and in obedience to appeals from
several gentlemen Mr.. Joy withdrew his
resolution. The report of the committee on
permanent organization was then called for
and when the chairman Of that committee,
Mr.. Henry r. Pearson of Albany, New York,
arose to report, there was a universal de-
mand for him to take the platform. He an
nounced that among the vice-presdents and
assistant secretaries were gentlemen from
Louisiana whom it could not certainly be
known were members of the convention I'M
til after the report Of the committee on cree
dentials had been acted upon. After
the lists were read much amusement
was created by numerous corrections
of names which had to be made. The re-
port was unanimouly adopted, Mr.. Pearson
himself putting the question and then cOur-
teously reintrO6ucing Senator HOar as the
permanent chairman Of the convention. Mr..
HOar facetiously remarked that he suppOs-
ed the reason why he had been chosen to
this position was because the members Of
the convention, for reasons satisfactory to
themselves, wanted to hear no more open
ing speech. Mr.. Frye of Maine now called
for the report of the committee on rules
and order of business, but Mr.. Sharpe of
New York, member of that committee,
stated to the convention that the committee
finished its work only ten minutes before
the convention met, and that he had teen
instructed by nine members Of the commit
tee to prepare and present in their behaE
minority report. He said further, that it had
been agreed in committee that the report
should not be presented until after the Commit
tee on credentials had reported. Gen. Garfield
| chairman Of the committee having been asked
lby Mr.. Frye to make a statement, substantially
c>rfrmed what had been said by Mr.. Sharpe,
wheaupon MIR. Frye withdrew his motion and
moved hat the convention takH recess un-
til five oIock. Before this motion was pu,
MIR. Conkliig was on his feet, and proceeded
to make another sarcastic speech in his pc.
culiarly exaspera,ing manner, congratulatns
! the State of Maine on the mOment0us, criti.
! cal and portentous business which had beer
accomplished, since he made motion SINH.
lar to that just made by the gentleman from
Maine. This provoked another demonstra
ton of satisfaction from the audience, bu
Mr.. Frye turned the tables by remarking tina
he was desired by the delegation from Main
to return thanks to the gentleman from Nev
York for his kindly congratulations, and t
assure him that they should be equally crate
full at the close of the convention once NOR
to receive the congratulations of the distin
guished senator.
This retort excited demonstration the mos
noisy and prolonged that had yet been wit
messed. Mr.. Frye's Uotion was then adopt
ed, and the assembly dispersed.-Bosto I'D
rerftsey.