Daily Kennebec journal., 1880-05-29

A Narrow Margin.
II Gen. Grant shall be nominated it will
be by the votes of New York, Pennsylva-
mia and Illinois. These three States cast
I7O votes, or more than one-ifth of the
whole number. It is worth while 10 see
upon what a narrow margin these votes
were secured.
To Pennsylvania was assigned the duty
Of inaugurating the Grant 'boom." The
convention was called in mid-winter, be-
fore the question of Presidential prefer
ences had begun to be discussed. Senator
Cameron assumed the role of engineer-in-
chief, and he did his work with character
istic thoroughncss and efficiency. He had
the party organization at his command
and it was used unscrupulously and with
consummate skill. The county conven-
tions were adroitly timed and the local
primaries were largely sprung upon the
people unawares. In some instances the
county committees usurped the powers of
county conventions. and named delegates
who would he entirely subservient to the
wishes of their imperial master. So far
rs was practicable. the State Convention
was literally packed with his henchmen.
and the work was supposed to have been
done SC. thoroughly that the developed re-
sistance to the programme Of the INA
chine" was as great surprise to its
manipulators as the arbitrary action Of
the ''machine" itself was to the fairly
chosen representatives of the people.
This resistance was shown on the unit rule
test vote, which was carried by the mea-
gre majority Of 20 in an aggregate vote OF
2l6. But this majority was sufficient for
the purposes Of the machine" After
the delegates were seled by the several
Congressional districts they were ordered
to vote the wishes Of the packed conven-
ton against the wishes of their immedi-
ate constituents.
Ii this test vote had been the basis of
representation the delegation would have
been practically equally divided. But the
formal expressions Of the republicans in
many of the Congressional districts since
the convention prove conclusively that at
least two-thirds Of the republicans OF the
State are opposed to the nomination Of
Grant. This sentiment has been SO strong
ly manifested that it is said Senator Cam
eron has been obliged 10 so far relax his
grip rs 70 consent that If majority OF
the delegates when assembled at Chicago
shall express preference for some other
candidate he will waive his self-assumcd
prerogative Of dictator and let the dele
gates do as they please. In view there
fore, of all that has transpired in Pennsyl.
vania. it is only fair to say that If the del
egates to Chicago shall represent the wish
cs of the republicans Of the State. the
delegation, instead Of being So tor Grant,
would be divided thus:
Grant. 10 Anti-Grant. 80
In Now York the convention was Sc
cured 70 Grant by pledging the entire pat
ronage Of the State to those who should
render the most effective service in carry.
ing their wards, towns, counties and dis.
tricts as tho ..macline" should dictate.
A score or two OF offices were held up
~ bats before the eyes Of five hundred
expectants. ard thus stimulated. they did
their work very thoroughly. and succeed
Cd in electing majority of the delegates
by modes, in many OF the districts. alike
disgraceful and disorganizing. But in
spite of this advantage, on test vote
there was shown to be the meagre major.
ity of 81 for Constructions"
Taking this vote as test of strength and
as IN expression Of the popluar sentiment
the delegates. from this State, instead Of
20 for Grant, would stand;
Grant. . - Anti-Grant, III
Illinois Is even more distinct if not more
emphstic In her anti-Grant sentiment.
Notwithstanding the strong desire which
would be naturally and properly felt to
compliment the gallant soldier with unit
cd delegation from his own State and not
withsA1dlng thssnagastic potency Of the
impressive Senator and the arbitrary emas-
cula&ion Of the Cook county delegation, the
ssst voes In the State Convention showed .
nsjosily - ely - On voes Il 7oo) in
1Hyur q Gen. Grant. Besides this distinct