New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-29
GENERAL POLITICAL NEWS.

THIRD-TERM TACTICS IN ALABAMA.
HOW THE WILL OF THE DISTRICTS WAS DIsRE-
GARDED-TBE GRANT AND THE ANTI-GRAHT
SIDES OF THE sToRY-wHY GENERAL WARNER
AND GOVERNOR SMITH WE'RE Rejected.
[BT TELEGRAPH TO THE TaIBUNE.l
WASHINGTON, May 2s.-AmonR the arrivals In
Washington to-day were Messrs. Paul. Strobach
aud George Turner of Alabama. These gentlemen
are delegates to the Republican National Conven-
tion and stopped hero on their way to Chicago. In
conversation with TRIBUNE correspondent Mr..
Turner, who was president Of the Alabama State
Convention last week. gave an account from the
Grant point of view of the election of delegates and
the pledges which they we're required to give.
Among other things Mr.. Turner said:
1t is not true that the districts in Alabama
ton. The method followed in our recent Conven-
ton Is the one that has always prevailed. The del
egates from each district nominated two delegates.
these nominations were then submitted to the Con-
ventiOn for ratification or rejection. The Conven-
ton required each person chosen by the district del
egatons as delegate to Chicago to appear in per-
son before the Convention and pledge himself to
vote for General Grant. General Warner
and Governor Smith who, had been chosen by the
delegates of the With Congressional District re-
were rejected by vote of 104 to "a. The district
delegates or eight of them then met and nominated
two others delegates, who were accepted by the
Convention. The Convention by resolution au-
thorized the State delegation, Q majority OF it.
to cast the vote of the State unit at Chicago.
"Mr Rapier, who was chosen as delegate from
the IVth Congressional District, did not appear be-
fore tho Convention to give the pledge required OF
all the delegates. | was instructed, in case he
should neglect or refuse to give me that pledge
within twenty-fOur hours after being requested by
me TO do so, to withhold his credentials, and have
done 30. l suppose he will be In Chicago to claim
his seat, but he will be without bis credentials and
we shall not recognize him as delegate"
"What was the strength of the anti-Grant vote
in the Conventionp asked the correspondent.
"The vote against the unit rule and instructions
was 80. The affirmative vote on that question was
11s. Some of the thirty-eight votes were cast by
men who favored Grant, but who were opposed to
instructing the delegates for anybody"
Dir. Turner admitted that, in the rejection of
General Warner and Governor Smith, the State Con-
vention had for the first time undertaken to over
ride the choice Of district delegation.
prominent citizen of Alabama, In letter
to friend in Washington, gives an inter-
estng account of the methods which were
used in the recent State Convention to secure
q solid third-term delegation to Chicago. The
writer says:
The Selma Convention went for Grant. but the anti
Grant men were beaten BY means both fair and foul
RaPe collector q internal cDn,e O WAS srs
Violently for Grant, Rapier declined at
pOrary chairman, on nomination by the chairman Of
the State Committee. who was anu-Grant.
In that the anti-Gfnnt men 1851 Lner Only clance.
az the Grant chairman was arbitrary aud
unfair TO the last degree On the last test vote by yeas
They asked vote on call by counties on Bnal adoption
OF instruction resolutions but the motion was voted
The antGran beat hree out Of four of the Grant
candidates for and put in three col
least twelve OF the district delegates are
the friends Of the anti-GraDt men: but al
before the Convention The unit rule was adopted,
IN ri hnu de " a CliCaRO
The Oficehoders were all Grant men and against
Sherman and should nave been counted SO IRON t1e
been IN the absenOe Of false friends and money:
but the State Convention assumed TO ratfy reject,
and called opon all 20 come up IKE slaves ana
BY proxy except Governor Smith and ex-senator
Warner Coz rnOr Smith was sick and did not attend
speak for him. who refused to pledge himself and
denied any authority OF the Convention over the
out The Convention referred the matter back TO the
District but no quorum 81 the dIStfIet deIs,
(ony votes out Of 49, and the Convention asserted
and exercised the authority Of putting ~ twS Grant
The points raised by this action are the right OF
State Convention TO turn out and put IN district dele
the report OF the choice Of the district dele;
s sas r othe ssoa and IN the Of smith,
elected on one nomination, two delegates smith ana
Warner will present their district credentials to tho Ch
n Rapiers case after pledge by proxy for Grant,
scnded the ratification. and committee for Rapler
and not finding him finally left &c IN the
hands OF the chairman elect OF the State Committee TO
get Rapcrs pledge failing in that 10 rofuse him his
Credentials from the State Convention. This was pre-
posi- erOus pfOceedinR-a thing heard OF before
Tho case OF Smith and Warmers expulsion will raise
the whole question of nsructlng district DELEGATES and
the further question OF turning out district delegates
by consent and approval OF State Convention
And as laba Is first ON the CALL the question Will
come p az once decision. Should the decision be In
favor OF the antlGrant Grant would receive but
ono vote from Alabama.