The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-01-21
THE Truth OF HISTORY.
How the Republican Convention of 1876
Was Managed at Cincinnati.
Chicago Journal


Was Managed at Cincinnati.
Chicago Journal
1t has been alleged IN dispatches to vari-
GUS newspapers, and charged editorially by
the Inter-Ocesp. that the local committee in
charge of the arrangements for the Cincin-
natl convention in 1876 was hos lie to Mr..
Blaine and Senators Morton and Conklipg,
and favorable to the nomination OF General
Bristow. This is a mistake. There was q gen.
ueman q the city yesterday who had thor
ough knowledge of the facts connected with
the management of that convention, and as
much TO do With the results of the conven-
zion as almost anyone who can be men
toned. He submitted to an interview for
the Journal, and we give the substance of
his statements, that the truth of history may
be indicated. There was on the Cincinnati
local committee an active Bristow man, but
the majority of the committee were in the
interest of Mr.. Blaine. The most active of
these-the real manag W. 3. Shat
tue, S. f. Covington and Hon. Benz amin
Eggleston. The latter had as asslstant Col
onel A. G. Sands, The most adroit OF the
politicians of OHIO. Under his control were
the "boys" of the wards and precincts, and
they found their way to the galleries and
shouted themselves hoarse for Blame. At
hrst-that is to say, from Saturday to Tues
day mOrning-the real choice of EgglestOn
and Sands was Morton, but
terms with the friends of the Maine
etief. When the adjournment wss had
Wednesday afternoon, there was q consuIta-
ton between the Blaine members and the
local committee, and Messrs. Shattuc. Gov
iugton aud Eggleston distributed tickets
where ii wss confidently expected the most
good would be done for their candidate. The
first named of this committee wss so intent
on this work that be refused tickets to rep
resentatives of the press, when such tickets
were absolutely necessary 10 the making CT
prOperrepOrts of the convention. This course
brought dowa upon his hesd a sharp rebuke
from the pen of Hon. Frederick Hessaur,k
of the Cincinnati Nolksblstt, who was one OF
tue gentlemen of the press who suffered
from the management
But these gentlemen were handsomely
beaten a their own game lt CHANGED tbEt
as the Blaine committeeman were getting
and bearing away their tickets a ne Wspaper
man was near by aud witnessed it all. He
strsightwsy went 10 the headquarters of the
Indiana and Ohio delegations and notified
Colonel Holloway and General Moves OF
what was transpiriDg Next he went to the
Gazette ana Commercial offices, the real
BristoY headquarters, and advised Richard
Smith and MuTat Hastead of what they
might expect the next dBy. Mr. Smith al
once went TO the BristOw clue an OTgaDiz.-
ton of wealthy Rspubicaus) and set t1e
members 10 WORK Duyibg up the ucKet5 I'D
he hands of the alternstes and others from
the Southern States and they succeed ed.
As high as $25 was paid for a single ticket
These tickets were pat into the hands Of toe
young men of Cincinnati who were for
BrisiOw. The eventtul day showed
how this scheme worked. IN the
gallery III the left hand OF the stage. was
a small, compact body of enthusiastic
Indianisns, who did their best for the noble
Morton. In the gallery on the right hand,
stretching tar down tue ball were the Blaine
boys, and on these Mr.. Eggles,on, who WIS
prominent on the st8ge, had his eyes. At
the cTidCal moment q wave of the hand gave
the signal, when up ieaped the Blaine fel
lows on their seats and fairly split their
Threats for their favorite. Il was a formid-
able and handsome demonstration, and
pleased the Blaine managers greatly. There
gere s;gLs Of a sensation when the hearty
cheers died away. But soon this vas lost
sight OF, and all else by The orm OF applause
from the gallery at he mention OF the name
OF Bristow. The great waves swept every
thing before them, and the establishment of
the Blaine men was sight 10 behold. The
local committeeman had done their best for
Blaine, bot they were beaten by the young
men of the Bustow club aud fairly beaten.
Later on these contending factions united
heartily In cheering for Haysp, the dark
horse.n