Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-02-13
The PennayIvaninC Convention.

A careful analysis of the action of the Penn
sylvania Republicans at their State conven-
ton last week. in instructing the State dele
| cation to vote as a unit for Gen Grant in the
Chicago National Convention, shows that it
was a triumph for Don Cameron and his
machine, and not, by any means, a popu-
lar expression in favor of Grant as a candi-
date. To begin with, in several of the larger
counties OF the State the people were not al
lowed to name their delegates for the State
convention, but this work was done for them
by the county committees In the next place,
the convention usurped the right to name the
delegates from the several congressional dis
tricts, as well as those from the State at large,
which was another effective means for sitting
the voice of the people still further, Gamer
on insisted that the delegation to Chicago
should be made up by the convention acting
through committee, and not by the district
delegations; and, finally, a very strong minor
ity of the convention rebelled on a yea and
nay vote against instructing the delegates in
favor of Gen. Grant. OF the 249 delegates
voting, % favored the substitution of Mr..
Blaines name for Gen. Grants in the resolu-
ton of instructions, and in the final ballot the
resolution was opposed by 113 out of 243 del
egates who voted, thus showing a majority of
only Il in the convention in favor of the pos
tive instructions given the delegation to vote
as unit for Grant. result like this does
not give very strong grounds of encourage
ment for the third term boomers" and it
shows, what the politicians who are pushing
Gen. Grant did not want the country to know,
that there is a strong element of opposition to
his candidacy.
The feature of the Pennsylvania conven-
ton which we do not like is the unblushing
determination shown to keep the people from
having any voice in the selection of the next
Republican presidential candidate and to
throw the whole matter into the hands of the
managing politicians. The politicians were
successful in this case, but their tactics will
not help their cause in the end. In order to
assure a Republican victory in the coming
national campaign the action of the Chicago
convention in the choice of a nominee must
fairly represent the average opinion of the
solid, substantial rank and file of the party
There must be no deliberate ignoring of the
people, no usurpation of their rights, and no
choking down of individual opinion, like
that practiced in Pennsylvania. Given can.
didate who fairly represents the general SEN
timent of the people, and we firmly believe
Republican victory is a foregone conclusion.
But if the party managers attempt to ignore
the people, after the manner of this Cameron
beginning, the chances are that they will find
themselves saddled with very uncomforta-
BILE load before the summer is over. 1t is be-
cause We desire to see really acceptable and
available candidate put in nomination at Chi
cago that we have repeatedly urged, and still
urge, that Vermont Republicans should send
to our national convention a delegation of
sterling and representative men, unhampered
by pledges or instructions. With few more
blunders like this in Pennsylvania there will
be an assured chance for such delegation to
use its influence to good purpose in favor of
Mr.. Edmunds and after him for the next best
dark horse"