Morning journal and courier., 1880-05-07
Friday Morning, May 2. 1880.
THE UNIT RULE AND PENNsYL-

VANIA.
 The situation of affairs iu some of the
 States, especially in Pennsylvania and New
 York, is causing some controversy concerning
 the action of the Republican National conven-
 ton in regard to the unit rule. The conven-
 tion has repeatedly established tho precedent
 that the individual members of delegation
 are not bound by the instructions of State
 conventions. In 1876 the question came up.
 The Pennsylvania delegation voted solidiy on
 the first ballot for Hartranft, but on the sec-
 ond and subsequent ballots small minority disregarded instructions and voted for Blaine
 When the vote of Pennsylvania on the second
 ballot was announced by the chairman of the delegation as fifty eight for Hartranft the delegate from Chester county rose to point of order and stated that the vote of Pennsyl- vauia was not correctly announced. He said that he and his colleague, representing the Sixth Congressional district, wished to cast their votes for James G. Blaine. They had requested the chairman of the delegation to so announce their votes but he had refused, and now they asked and demanded that their votes should be recorded for Blaine. Two other delegates from Pennsylvania also made similar requests. The president then de- clared that question of privilege of that sort must be settled before the next State was called, and after he had stated the case ruled that it was the right of any and of every mem Der to vote his sentiments in the convention. His decision was appealed from but the con- vention sustained it, and the four votes of the protesting delegates were recorded for Blaine.
 There is little doubt that the sams prece- dent will be followed this year, and that if any of the Pennsylvania delegates wish to vote for Blaine or somebody else they will be allowed to. Whether they will disobey their instructions or not is very interesting ques- tion, and one that is much discussed. It is stated, and apparently on the best authority, that they will. On the other hand, Don Gam eron, who showed his power in the oonven- ton which elected the delegates, and is &C., curately informed concerning the condition of affairs in his State, has just said to an in- terviewer: "Our delegation is soiid-you can bet on that. Even should half dozen break away, it will be because their votes will rot be needed at Chicago. This dispatch from Phil adelphia is simply another sign of the wan- ing of the contest against Grant. The Sher- man and Blaine men, finding that their case is about hopeless, hope to make 8 rally by new onslaught on the Pennsylvania delega- ton. They want the idea that there is to be a break to go abroad, so as to affect the con ventions soon to be held in Michigan, Wiscon- sin, Minnesota, Nebraska and Illinois, but particularly in Illinois. This explains the whole thing. I pronounce fhe story lie, concocted by the strikers of Sherman and Blaine to affect the approaching conventions in Illinois and the other extreme northwest ern States. You can mark Pennsylvania down for Grant first, last and all the time, and mark me when I say that we are going to nominate Grant on tho first ballot as sure as the color of my hair is red" Such confidence as this is rather impressive, and if it does not turn out to be well founded MT. Cameron will feel like reducing the quantity of his hair by ''searing' it. We shall soon see.