New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-02-04
FIERCE FIGHT IN PROSPECT.

ONLY FEW VOTES OF A MAJOhllh AN ma
CITED CAUCUS LAST NIGHT.
IBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE.I
UARRIsBuRG, Penn, Feb. 3.-The Blaine men
present here to attend the Republican State Con-
yention, which meets tomorrow, found themseiv
stronger than they had imagined after
the arrival Of the delegates by the late trains this
evening, and determined to get together and
muster their forces Thentention of the Grant men,
as announced by Mr.. Quay, to prevent yea and nay
vote in the convention and thus smother the anti
third term movement uDder surface show OF
unanimity, provoked a spirit of resistance
which gathered force after supper. until 1t
scattered the Cancellation programme to the four
winds. and silenced such of its advocates as had
nrofessed TO be earnest friends of Mr.. Blaine.
A caucus was held at o'clock at the Lochiel
Hotel and the roll of delegates was
called to ascertain how many were for
Blaine, and would demand division tomorrow on
the question of instructions. BY this time the
movement had got the leadership that was lack
Ing in the afternoon. Ex-Cougressman Lawrence,
of Washington County. Mr. Albright, of Carbon,
Mr.. Koontz, of Somerset, Mr.. McPhersOn of Phla-
aelphia. General Lilly, of Carbon and other men OF
,treneth and reputation came forward to give 1T
force and direction.
General Koontz presided over the caucus. When
he roll call was completed 1T turned out
that 1O4 men had declared for Blaine.
Known Blaine delegates to the number of six or
light more were not present. Instead OF having
pnly third of the convention, it thus appears that
the anti-thrd-term wing lacks only few votes of
a majority
The whole number of delegates is 251 If the
Blaine men number 110, as it is believed they do,
they, therefore. lack only 16 votes of majority.
A bold push tomorrow may make up the de-
fcienoy.
AT the caucus q committee was appointed to take
measures to protect the right of the delegates to
yea and nay vote in the convention. g. "
Lawrence was selected the candidate for tenn
porary chairman, and resolutions were adopted
fayoring the selection of all committees
BY delegates from the several sena-
torial districts, and of delegates to
Chicago by the delegates from the several Congress
uonal districts, except in cases where the
districts have already named their men.
Unless the Cameron men concede
yea and nay vote on the question of Grant instruc-
tons. not contest in the Convention will be inev-
liable.
The excitement about the Presidential ques-
tion has caused the candidates for State
offices to De almost forgotten. 1t seems to
he conceded however, that John A. Lemon, of
Blair. will be nominated for State Auditor, beating
Colonel j. A. NJ. PasmOre. of Schuyl-
kill who ran the Republican ticket
for the same place in 1874, and was defeated by
Democrat. Lemon has long represented his district
in the State Senate carrying 1t repeatedly III the
face of a Democratic majority OF 6oo.
Judge Henry Green, of Northampton VIII DC
elected to the adgeship made vacant by the death
of Judge Woodward. He is now filing the vacancy
until. the election, by appointment of Governor
Hoyt.
GENERAL CAUCUS.
general caucus composed of all the delegates
was held tonight for the purpose of preaTrangng
the work of the convention. The Blaine men poured
down from their assembly room upstairs, and
met the strong party OF Cameron-Grant
men who streamed into the dining-room
f.. from the Office and lobbies OF the
hotel. The Grant faction placed one oi
their men III the chair. and hosilities soon opened
over a resolution creating committee o.
nine 70 report to the convention the
the Presidential electors. This was stnbbornly
fought by the Blaine men, who insisted that the
choice should be made by the delegates from the
several Con gTessoual Districts.
The principal speeches in favor OF the resolution
were made BY John Casna and Russell Errett and
those against it by Charles Albright, General
Koontz and Charles Wolf A great deal of feeling
was manifested during the debate. and 1t
was freely charged that an attempt was being made
10 defeat the will of the people and pack delega
tion TO Chicago.
Shouts of Blaine" Blaine" frequently inter
rupted the speeches. The Grant speakers
rarely mentioned their candidate put ar
gusd that the majority should
rule. and the strength of Pennsylvania should be
cast as a unit at Chicago, and not frittered away
An attempt TO eulogze Grant by Mr. Cessna aroused
amixed demonstration of cheers and misses.
Finally the roll was called and an amendment
directing the choice of delegates by th'
district delegations was voted down by ayes
ITO; noes 123 The Blaine men afterward charged
that some Pbiladelpbians voted four or 1--we times
on names of absentees and that they were besides
cheated or the count, which should hsve been
Ayes. III noes, lis.
The report of a con- nmittee on the method of cboos
ing committees and making the permanent organi
Eation, authorizing the committee OF nine was de
clared carried and the caucus adjourned
without putting the negative VOTE Cries of gas
iaw,o mingled with angry shouts and cries filled the
room as the delegates crowded toward the door, anc
several remained behind TO indulge in heated alter
cations.
A fierce contest must ensue tomorrow unless Oh,
Cameron men recede from their programme, or th'
Blaine men sleep off their bellgerent temper. Th'
whole trouble could be appeased II the majority
would yield to the point OF district selec
ticn Of the delegates to Chicago and
besides, permit roll call on th
question Of instructions; 80 that the Blaine mel