Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-05-20

OF the state conventions which assembled
yesterday, that OF Illinois attracted the largest
share OF public attention, because OF the infiu-
ence its action must have upon the Grant
movement. The Generals friends themSelN cS
realized that any thing short of positive declara-
ton In his favor by his own state would sum-
martly retire him tTon the contest. Therefore
have they bent every energy to the task of
securing definite and unequivocal instructions
In favor OF their candidate. The heated and
bitter contest over the admission of the
Cook county delegation is the key to
the whole situation. and the line
OF battle between the Grant and anti
Grant forces In the convention is distinctly
drawn upon this ISSUE In the preliminary
struggle the Grant men won decided victory,
and there is every reason to believe they will
follow 1t up to-day by carrying their every
point. IL they get any proportion of the Cook
county delegation 1t assures their control of
the state convention, whereas the admission OF
the entire anti-Grant delegation from Cook
county would neutralhe the strength OF the
Grant element from the remainder OF the state
and end in virtual and perhaps positive
defeat OF Grant Instructions. This situation
gave the Grant forces an advantage they were
quick TO use. They contented themselves with
the moderate request for proportionate repre-
-
opponents have been forced to demand the entire
delegation for themselves or give up the fight
In advance. In bitter factiOnal fights OF this
character conventions usually enieayor to
avoid rupture or bolt by diyIdiHg the repre-
sentation, and as the Grant men were In
position where half loaf was, in effect, as
much 20 them a. whole one, they have asked
only fer this.
The Minnesota Tt.aubncan convention In
structed for Senator Window as presidential
candidate who would harmonic all factions
and sections OF the country" This was really
a setback for Senator Blaine, who, with Win
dom out Of the way, would most likely have
been declared the favorite or the convention. 1t
Is alleged that the Window movement was inau-
gurated more for the purpose of defeating Blaine
In Minnesota than anything else, and there is
some plausibility in the allegation. The indca-
lions are however that Blaine Is the second
choice of majority OF the delegation; but for
Grant TO obtain even minority OF the votes of
that state would be political gain for him and
q corresponding loss to the Blaine calculations.
The effect OF the action of the convention is to
leave the state of Minnesota In doubt, at least
in the great struggle that now bids fair to take
place at Chicago for the nomination upon the
1lrSt ballot.
The Virginia democrats, or conservatives as
they please TO call themselves, seem to have
achieved mere In the way OF harmoniztng
the two wings of their party than their
opponents had believed possible. The state
convention at Richmond yesterday was
quiet and orderly In its proceedings, and
selected an uninstructed delegation. Among
the names OF the delegates to Cincinnati
are several who were prominently identified
with the read1usting movement, and their &C.
ceptance OF the position seems to make it certain
that at least a portion OF Gen. Mahone's fol.
lovers VIII return to their cd political associ.
atoms.
In California the democrats, though not az
Iarently having any contested one sttons he.
fore them, adjourned over until TODAY. with q
strong Thurman sentiment apparent In the
convention. The democrats captured the
workingmen's convention Ia California. whereai
tie greeLback men became Disguised and 90,
Up party for themselves.