National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-06-07
IN LINE OF BATTLE.
All Sides Resting on Their Arms
Over Sunday.
Ehe Convention Ready for the Real Contest
of tho Session-The Candidates Placed
In nNomination-Bailot to be Taken
this Morning-The civilized
World Eagerly Watch
ing tho Result.
Tho Fourth Day of the Convention.

are steadily assembling. The galleries arc fill
ing rapidly, despite heavy showers of rain aud
sultry atmosphere, only partially relieved by
occasional thunder. Tho usual rounds of APP
plause wore given to notable delegates us they
entered tho hall. Mr. Garfield especially was
received with much enthusiasm, probably be-
cause in somo contingencies he Is considered n
possible winning dark horse In the presi-
Dental race.
OPENING PROCEEDINGS.
Tho convention was called to order at Has,
at which time the delegates were generally in
their seats, and an immense audience in the
galleries and OH the rear of tho platform.
Prayer was offered by Rev. II. John Baxter, of
Washington.
PRAYER FOR WISDOM AND PEACE.
The Row Mr. Baxter's prayer included the
following: "God, Thou creator of all things
and mighty sustaincr of all Thy creations, we
begin this day with thankful acknowledgment
of Thy mcrcies; we commend unto Thy favor
and grace tho members of this convention.
Rdlo, we pray Thee in all their counsels;
guide all their deliberations and declare
through their vote for tho wiscst, for the true
est for tho bost man to lead this great party
in the contest which awaits it. Forbid that
the cry of passion should be louder here than
the calm voice Of duty. Forbid that prejudice
should warp judgment and compromise prin-
Ciple, nor permit personal preferences TO inn
pair or imperil the peace and harmony, the
enthusiasm, the unity ofpurpose or fidelity of
trust of this convention"
TIE KANSAS CASE.
The chair stated the question to he on the
report of tho committee on credentials in the
case of Kansas. Mr.. Conger briefly explained
and sustained the majority report. Tho con-
vention agreed TO limit debate on Kansas to
forty minutes.
Mr.. Plumb, of Kansas, replied IN behalf OF
the sitting members and sustaining the mi
nority report.
APPLAUSE FOR MR.. coNKLING.
Mr.. Conklng coming in whiie Mr.. Plumb
was speaking, stopped to salute him, and was
greeted with applause from the Grant sympa-
thizers
MI. CoNKLING DENIES THE REPORT ABOUT
WITHHOLDING GRANTS NAME.
[Mr. Conkling privately denies cmphatcally
the report said to be published at Baltimore,
stating that he had received u letter from
General Grant requesting him to consult
Logan, and If it was thought best, to withhold
his name from presentation in the convention. ]
DEBATE OF THE KANSAS CASE.
Mr.. Houk of Tennessee, said ho did not
know which side of the pending question ho
was on, and asked to be allowed TO speak two
minutes in order TO ascertain his own position.
ILaughtor.l
The chair said the gentleman must he on
one side or the other to ontitlc him to occupy
any of the time allotted to this debate. Re-
nowed laughter.
Mr.. Houk was allowed to proceed, and in
conclusion he said ho would sustain tho ma
jOrty report, because there was no minority
report, but he did not want to be understood
thereby as condomnng the action Of tho con-
grossional districts in Kansas.
Mr.. Batoman, OF Ohio, said he did not want
to, in the tactics of Tammany hall, establish
and maintain in a republican organization to
override the true sentiment of the people them.
selves rs Tammany in New York city over
rode the solid republicans of Harlem bridge.
Therefore he was for the majority report.
MAJORITY REPORT SUSTAINED.
The question was ther taken by call of states
and the majority report in the Kansas case was
sustained-yeas 476; noes, 1874.
1t was noticeable that IL the Kansas case New
York cast only % votes in the affirmative. So
tho majority report, which admits Grant men
from Kansas, was adopted, the committee OIL
credentials holding that they were entitled to
seats under the principle of district representa-
tion. The failure of the New York Grant mon
to vote is understood to he caused by the desire
to have the majority report sustained, while
their votes for il would be inconsistent with
their vote in the Illinois cases.
THE WEST VIRGINIA CASE
Tho next case taken up was the contest in
the third district Of West Virginia. The com
mittee recommended the retention of the sit.
ting members, who are Blaine men.
Mr.. Conger explained and supported the
majority report.
Mr.. Clay ton, of Arkansas, moved to substi.
tute tho minority report for that of the ma
jority (the minority report recommending tho
admission of the contestants).
Mr.. Raum, OF Illinois, insisted that the West
Virginia case stood precisely on all fours with
the Illinois and Kansas cases, and as the con-
testauls from Illinois and Kansas cases had
n,ln bod Il.
should also be.
Mr.. Cudman, of Massachusetts, urged that
the principle of district representation rec
quired the seating of the contestants in tho
West Virginia case in accordance with thd
minority report. Ho could not UNDERSTAND
how the committee who reported in favor o.
the eighteen contestants in Illinois could have
VetOd against the contestants from Kansas.
Mr.. Hagans, of West Virginia, sustained the
majority report, urging that these contestants
failed TO prove before the committee that they
secured the votes of n majority of the dele
gates from the congressional districts to the
state convention,
Mr.. Congor stated that the committee were
nearly equally divided in this case and rather
intimutcd that he was not himself clear in
opinion rs to tho true merits of the case. ['rhe
contestants in the case arc sherman mon.
After considerable oross'iiring between diifnr-
ent delegates us to facts of purely local in-
whichever way the convention should vote in
this case that vote could sustain tho principle
of district representation. Each side hore
claims to BIO district representatives, and the
only controvertcd question is whether the
sitting or contesting delegates were the legally
chosen representatives IF the districts in
Yolvod
The vote was then taken by call of states
upon substituting the minority for the ma
jorty report.
WEST VIRGINIA CONTESTANTS ADMITTED,
The report of the minority of the committee
on credentials, seating tho two contestant Is
from West Virginia, was adopted.
Mr.. Sharpe moved that the convention pro.
oecd Immediately to ballot for president Of the
United States.
TIE chairman ruled Mr.. sharps'S motion in
order.
Debate on Mr., Sharpe's motion to proceed to
the presentation of candidates Tor president is
now going on,
Mr.. Sharpes motion to proceed to nomina.
ton Of candidates Immediately was rejected,
Mr.. Sharpe has demanded the roll of states
10 be called on his motion.
Tho roll of states on Mr.. Sbarpe's motion
resulted-in favor Of, 27G; against, 479.
MIR. Boutwell,, of Massachusetts,, moved that
the national com ttoe he instruotnd IN nro.