National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-02-05
THE CAMPAIGN OF 1880.
Pennsylvania Fires the First Gun for
Grant.
Republican state Convention al Harrisburg
The Dele gates Instructed to Vote for
General Grant--Thc Delegation
Unit - Platform Adopted
State officers Nominated
uoyt Endorsed.


Pennsylvania Republican State Convention.
HARRISBURG, PA, Feb. 4.-The Republican
State Convention met here In the opera.houso
at IL o'clock to-day, and was called to order
by Chairman Hooton Of the State Central COM
mittoc. s. ii. Miller, Of Mercer, moved that
Hon. Russell Errett DO appointed temporary
chairman, and General Albright moved to
amend by substituting the name Of George b.
Lawrence A vote was taken, which resulted
in favor Of Euctt--159 against GA victory
for the Grant people. Mr.. Errett, upon taking
the chair, spoke as follows:
GENTLEMEN or THE CoSvESrIoN I thank you
most heartily for this mark of your confidence
The place to which you have called me is Of but
temporary importance but as 0n evidence Of your
convention is the opening OF the campaign Of 1880
To-day we pass It's threshold and enter upon other
active struggles for the right. In tnking her place
at the head of the Republican column PennsylvN-
mia witnesses the usual furry and excitement tat
ailena definite expression 9i me VIII 9i tle peo-
that furry Is over we shall all bo firm anu un-
broken line for the success of the candidate who
may be chosen at Chicago, whoever he may he.
We have our individual preferences now, and
we differ as to modes and methods of action: but
whom the final decision of the Republican Na-
uunal Convention is uttered, all differences will
vanish, and Pennsylvania viii be found us she has
been found In every Presidential election since
acy; Of the Union indvsible and indestrnctble;
of honest money Of q protected tariff of pure and
honest MS well us free elections, and of the equal
rights OF all under the law TO life liberty and prop
erty without distinction TO uce color or nativity
Invoking upon your deliberations the spirit of
harmony and of that charity for each others differ.
ences which suiere,h long and IS kind aud thank.
ing you again for your confidence, await 1.-the
further pleasure of the convention
1t was decided that committee of one
from each senatorial district be appointed
on resolution, aud committees on contested
seats and permanent organization were also
appointed. Hon. John Cessna offered
resolution that committee of nine be an
pointed to report the subject of the approval
by the convention ofa list Of delegates with
their alternates to tho Chicago con vention, and
alist of electors. After consulting with the dele
cations from the various districts Mr.. Stewart,
OF Franklin, offered an amendment as follows
Rcsorcd, That a committee of one from each
Congressional district bo selected by the delegates
from each Congressional district whose duty IL
Will be to rport 10 the convention the names ofiour
delegates ut large 10 the National Convention and
two electors ut large; that II will be the duty of the
committee to report also list of district delegates
10 the National Convention, who are to be chosen
by the delegates from the respective districts, in
Guiding In theii report ths names of those persons
who havo already been chosen as delegates from
their respective districts by the action Of the people
ihereoi.
Both of these resolutions however, were
withdrawn, and at l;20 p. nj. the convention
took Il recess for one hour.
HARRlsBURG, Pa, Feb 4.-Upon reason.
bling at about 3 p. M, the committee on con.
tested seats made their report, which was
adopted.
Mr.. Cessnas resolution was rentroduced
md Mn Stewart at once moved TO amend it as
indicated before recess. Mr.. Stewart spoke
earnestly in favor of his amendment, basing
his argument ON the fact, MS hoput it, that the
convention had no more right to nominate
delegates to the Chicago Convention than IL
had to select Congressman to represent the
people of each district. The amendment of
Mr.. Stewart was ost-100 to l50-aud then
the resolution rs originally offered was
adopted. The following was then introduced
by Mr.. Herr:
ReSolged, That the delegates elected to the Re,
publican National Convention from this State are
hereby Instructed 70 support for the Presidential
nomination General U. S. Grant aud to vote us 1
unit on all questions that muy come before the con
vcntlon.
Mr.. Stone, of Crawford, offered the follow,
ing amendment:
RcsOired That while we pledge ourselves TO sun
port the Republican parry, we see no coed reason
for abandoning the position taken by the party in
Our own and other States in 1876 of opposition TO q
third Presidential term. and wo hereby indOrse and
rcalllrm the resolutions passed by our State Con
yenton. held in thiScity in 1876, upon this ques
ton.
DSNutOT Herr dlBucu IN ldVOf OF his reS0Iu-
lion, and traced tho course of tho Democratic
party as it appeared to Republicans. HC
thought that General Grant was the proper
aud only man who should get the nomination
nnd wound up his remarks with an appeal tt
all TO support him.
General Albright replied to Senator Horr's
remarks. lIO believed that General Grant
was sincere in all his undertakings had done
great service, both civil and military, but he
did not think he was the only man who could
lead the Republican party 10 victory. He did
not believe there WAS any danger in third
term 10 the country, but hc believed that
Wushburnc Sherman or b aine could carry
tho suilrages Of the people. He did not
believe in instruC.iug the delegates to Chicago
for any man.
The resolution was further opposed by
General KoOntz, Darlington, of Chester
Harvey, of Clinton, and Wolfe of Union
while Morelanh, of Allegheny, and Bingham
of Philadelphia, favored It. The speeches of the
anti.Grant people were all from u Blaine point
of Wow and no other names besides Grant aud
Blaine were mentioned at all except in the
remarks Of General Albright.
Mr. Stone of Crawford, after arguing
strongly and steldfSstly in favor of his
amendment to the resolution Of instruction
finally Withdrew it, aud strang, Of Tioga
offered another, TO wit: 10 strike out the
name of u. s. Grant and insert that of Jam 81
StrQng's amendment was lost 05 to 15i, sev,
era Of the Blaine people voting against it on
the ground that IL was not proper to instruct
the delegation for anyone. The question thel
required GU the original resolution or rather
that part of it which instructed tho Chicago
delegates TO tote for Grant Again the yeas
and nays were ordered, and showed u vots o.
1888 in favor of and ll3 against that portion o
the resolution. The second portion of Tn,
resolution, iustruGting the delegation to yot,
as unit, was then adopted by rra roc
vote,
The common permanent organization pre-
sonted their report, which placed Hon A, q
Olmstead in nomination for permanent chair
man. 1t was adopted, aud that gentleman wa
installed in the chair He made no remark
Ofany kind, pleading the ateness of tho hour
and went TO work at once. Nominations 70
Auditor, General being in order, the names o
Hon. John A. Lemon and j. A. NJ. Passmor
were placed before the convention, Withou
choosing either Of the candidates, recess wa
takon until 1880 this evening
Upon rtassombIiug at 1880, tile yeas an,
nays Yero taken on the nomination for Auditor
General, aud Lemon was declared the choice q
the convoutlon---l5S to 90, His nomination
was then msde unanimous. The Commtle
of nine TO name delegates to tho Chicago Con
Nention and name Presidential electors mad