Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-04-30
lamraster fntelliget1rer.
FRIDAY EVENING. APRIL 30, 1880.
A Free Convention.

A Free Convention.
The most important work of the Dem
Ocratic state convention, of course, was
its honorable and reasonable and entirely
satisfactory settlement of the Philadel-
phia troubles. Thereby there are gained
not only a single organization of the
party there, united action among all its
elements, and an improved character Of
the personnel of those in charge and of
those sent to represent it in conventions;
but with the subsistence of factional
spirit and personal strife there comes an
end to those unhappy divisions through
out the state. The contests in Philadel-
phia superinduced those of greater or
less foundation and moment in other
parts of the state, a contemplate and
unblushing attempt even having been
made to steal three seats from the upper
district of Lancaster county. Of course,
such reputable and fair men as composed
the committee of six at once sat
down" on this scheme and unanimously
dismissed it before the case of the sitting
members was half heard but in the heat
of a factiOnal fight in committee on
credentials, somebody might have been
found to give countenance to the at
tempted swindle. If Philadelphia here
after comes to the state convention with
out contest, as the peace commission
must endeavor to see that she does, the
rural districts will give us little trouble,
and the circumstance that has hitherto
inflicted most disgrace, most bitterness
and most roughness in Democratic state
conventions will be avoided.
In the selection of its temporary and
permanent chairmen, the choice of dele
gates and electors at large, the chairman
of the state committee, and the recon-
mendation by Mr.. Scott of Mr.. Ross for
member of the national committee, there
was an earnest attempt to realize
in full measure the scope and
purpose of the compromise measures
and to recognize the eminent merits of
distinguished Democrats representing
all hitherto conflicting interests. The
members of the convention seemed to
make an honest effort to find a plaster
for every sore.
The resolutions reported and adopted
with unanimity are substantially those
of last year. They 60 to the core of vital
Democratic issues, especially those of
nearest and dearest concern to the honor
of our commonwealth. While the reso-
lutionS touching national issues are
crisp, sound and well-worthy of formu-
lation by the national convention, it was
proper that a state convention, nominat-
ing a state ticket, should make unmis-
taxable deliverance on questions which
recent events especially have brought
into the foreground of public interest
and discussion.
The debate and vote on the unit rule
speak for themselves. 1t was the one
square issue in the convention. The vote
was close and the tally is even disputed.
But Mr.. Wallace says freely that even
had it prevailed by the slender majority
that is claimed for it, he would have been
10y no means satisfied.
From the close vote on it in the CON-
mittee-25 for and % against it-and its
defeat in the open convention, as
well as from the emphatic voting down
of a Hancock resolution by 81 to 13, it
can he seen that the temper of the dele
gates was emphatically for a free con-
vention, against instructions, and against
the unit rule--the position exactly that
this journal has steadily maintained from
the beginning of the present contest and
for years before its inception.
As to the actual vote on the unit rule,
which the Harrisburg Patriot charges
was &c falsiied by "pimps and thieves "
acting as clerks, we have the assurance
of Mr.. Z. c. Hammer, one of the clerks,
than whom the party in the state has no
more highly respected and accredited
member, that it was fairly tailed and
announced and Mr.. Bogert, of Luzerne,
who favored the unit rule and tailed
also as a clerk, confirms this statement. 1t
was upon his and Mr.. Hammers agree
ment that Mr.. Monaghan announced the
vote.
Fortunately neither Mr.. Randall nor
Mr.. Wallace was candidate for any
position. The direction given to the
convention raised it far above their per-
sOnal rivalries, if any exist; and their
political advantage or disadvantage is
dwarfed besides the higher consideration
of party freed from faction and deliv-
cred from any and all personal domina-
tion. Mr.. Randall is greatly strength
ened, however. and Mr.. Wallace CORES
pondingly weakened, by the fact that the
speaker weeks ago cOncurred in, while
the senator held out against, the meas
ures which have received once and for
all their party's approval.
Any attempt to give the result sle-
cial presidential significance is absurd.
The convention simply declared against
all such attempts in whatever interest.
Every candidate has friends on the dele
cation to Cincinnati, and every interest
will have hearing; but we know ex-
actly and thoroughly whereof we affirm
when we::say that from 20 to 25 members
of 1T are exactly on the platform which
was laid down at the beginning, and will
he adhered to to the end by the national
dplopataS from Tancactor onunfv who