The daily gazette., 1880-06-04
EDITION
The Chicago Battle.

THE TEST VOTE SHOWING A MAJORITY
OF HUNDRED AGAINST GENERAL
GRANT.
CHICAGO, June Al A. M.-The
second day Of the convention closed
with test vote which exposes the
weakness of the Grant column and is
regarded as fatal to his cause. The di-
vision of 318 to 408 ON General Sharpe's
substitute is the division of Grant
against the field, and shows about a
hundred majority against the ex-Presi-
dent. The Vermont delegation voted
with the Grant forces in order TO gain
their good will for Edmunds. There
were few votes on the same side from
Minnesota which will 60 to Grant,
but 1t was practically straight test
vote, and is so accepted by both friends
and foes. It shows that Grant has only
about 300 votes in the convention and
that he must still gain eighty more to
secure the nomination. 1t must be re-
membered, too, that the 318 votes in
ciude 20 votes from Illinois, which will
be lost if the convention sustains the
report of the Committee bn Credentials,
as it doubtless will. The opponents of
Grant and impartial observers generally
believe that the test Is decisive against
him, and the question remaining is,
whether the field can be punched upon
either Blaine 1r Sherman, or whether
the prize will fall to some new man.
The Blaine leaders are very confident
| tonight, aud 1t is needed on all sides
that his chances have improved since
yesterday. He will be neck and neck
with Grant on the first ballot if he does
not actually lead. His managers claim
over 300 votes, and his strength will not
fall much short of that. Theu they
count on gains from Ohio, Minnesota,
New York, Pennsylvania and some
| other States.
Their policy is to press the balloting
when 1t once begins, as they reason that
Grant will soon die out, and that 1t will
be then Blaine against The field. and they
| do not want to leave time for comb
nation against them. The Grant leaders
on the other hand, are struggling for
time. They count on a solid force Of
three hundred, and their tactics Is to hold
together and fight for delay. They treat
| it as a battle Of the regular army against
the militia, aud they hope that discipline
and unity will overmaster their divided
opponents. BY this strategy they expect
either to tire out and win over some of
the other side or to gain time to concen-
trate upon another candidate. They still
incline toward Elmunds, though the
palpable bid of the Vermont delegation
on tho test vote, for which they are max
ing apologies tonight, created a revul-
sion among the anti-Grant men. In
| other quarters there is much quiet talk
| 3 III Dat G, Ga all ortOh
suggestions are speculative. General
| Garfield himself and most observers to-
night recognize that the current Is run
ming strongly toward Blaine, and the
managers for the Maine Senator are now
sincere in the belief that he will be NOM
mated. The report will lead to great
struggle in the convention, but will un-
doubleday be sustained. This conflict
| will consume the entire day tomorrow,
and the ballotlng on the presidency will
hardly begin before Saturday.
Mr.. jams A. Gary, of Maryland, in
forms us that in his opinion the Grant
people are tonight convinced that they
caunot nominate Grant, but he thinks
they can dictate the nomination of aDo-
ther. He is tor Sherman, and will not
vote for either Grant or Blaine. 1t Is
| considered now probable that lhe COIL
vention will not conclude its labors
before Saturday ,ahd there is possibility
| that 1t will extend over into next week.
Among the items of gossip floating
around tonight, and which have enough
probability to warrant publication, is
one to the eject that the Grant strength
has been so soldlfed that it will hol
together to the end, and can be thrown
in any direction to suit the purposes OF
ne leaders. Also that number OF
Blaine delegates from several States Will
leave him after Que or two ballots that
In certain contingencies Grant will get
all or nearly all of Massachusetts,, and
that the disposition of the Grant men is
to concentrate on Edmunis at any time
when convinced that Grant Is an impos-
sibility. Shrewd observers say that
Blaine will poll his full strength ON the
first ballot, and a very exciting time Is
anticipated tomorrow.