Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-05-28
Telegrams to The Star
IN CHICAGO.
BATTLE LINES FORMING.
IieirS and Interviews.
A Clear Majority Claimed for
Erant-The Preliminary Organi-
zatiOn Probably Blaine's-OppOsi-
ton to the Unit Rule-Sentiment
Against the Third Term.

tSpecidl Dispatches to the Evening Stdr.l
CHICAGO, May 2s, p.m.-The city commenced
10 put on convention airs this morning. The
early trains brought delegates aud politicians
from every known quarter, and the floors of the
hotels swarmed with them. Some two hundred
and fifty delegates are already registered All
OF the leaders are here except Conkling, and
the preliminary skirmlshing has commenced in
good earnest.
Senators Cameron and Logan both state this
morning that Grant has majority on the first
ballot without counting on any disafrection In
New York and Pennsylvania.
Secretary Keogh, Of the national committee
says that the most careful estimates gives
Grant within two votes of a majority.
The Grant and Sherman organizations appear
to be very complete, but, to the surprise, Of
every body. that Of Blaine seems to be deficient
Chandler and Hale are here. but some one is
needed with voice and presence to head Off
Ccnkl1ng and Logan. The Times this morning
says that Blaine ought to be here himself and
the Inter- ocean regrets that he cannot come.
The Blaine headquarters have been removed
from the Grand Pacific to the Bllrdick House
Which is mistake as 1t leaves Sherman in DOS
session OF the best headquarters in Chicago.
The reports which are heard east. that Sher-
man and Blaine had united to defeat Grant
donOt appear to be true. The Sherman men at
least, deny it, though eX-Gov. Dennison and
Gov. Foster will make a fight in common
against the unit rule.
Gov. Dennison said this morning: 81 can only
answer you that the friends of Mr. Sherman
will oppose the enforcement of the unit rule by
all means in their power. The rule is anti
republican. A republican convention Is a na-
tonal, not confederate, convention. No such
rule has been adopted here heretofore, and
should not be now. Ohio says: NO unit rule:
independent voting by every delegate"
Governor Foster says 81 do not believe the
unit rule will be adopted"
General Bateman, Of the Ohio delegation
says: LAS to the controversies between Blaine
and Grant, we have carefully avoided any share
in them, though we shall take sides against the
unit rule"
Ex-Postmaster Filley, of st. Louis, is urging
Sherman's name for Vice President.
Ex-Sherif Daggett, of Brooklyn, who used to
live In Washington, is here at the head of the
anttGrant members of the New York delega-
tion, and says that third of the delegates are
against Grant.
The contest over the committee on permanent
organization is ciphered down close, but indica-
ttons favor Blaine. Gorham says Blaine is sure
to have 1t, and the Grant men admit that 1t Is
doubtful.
1t is agreed that the convention will last sew
eral days, and that the first contest will be over
the unit rule.
The cool-headed men on both sides tell me
that the unit rule will be defeated, as major
1ty OF the delegations are really not instructed
10 vote as unit, and that the rights of the
state conventions Will be respected.
The Tribune this morning publishes dispatches
from the centers Of population in nearly every
state in the Union as to the feelings of republi.
cans on the third term idea From every quar-
ter the statements come that the nomination o.
Grant would te disastrous to the republican
party.
In Kansas split is threatened in case the ey-
President is the nominee at Chicago. which
would disintegrate the republican party in that
state.
Indiana would be hopelessly lost, and In Ohio
there would be regular stampede of the Ger
man republicans.
The weather is clear and cool. G. Wa