New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-20
SCENES IN THE CONVENTION.

F0rt
Tor State Treasarer-Plny 1. Sexton
SCENES IN THE CONVENTION.
ro CONTESTS FOR sEATs-sENAToR MILLER AS A
PARTY LEApER-RECEPTIoN OF THE PLATFORM.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
P,cHFrrLp SPRINGS Sept. 19.-State Conventions
IN the dusky interiors of provincial theatres or
within the bare walls of town halls, have become
an old story. The Rchfeld Convention was held In
the style of modern camp-meeting, under rude but
comfortable SHELTER and with plenty of chance to
breathe the bright and sparkling air. good many
Who had read before they came here that the wig
wan would hold 1000 people, were probably e
little surprised to see how small wigwam, COM
paratively would do it. Perhaps the local pride OF
Rchfield raised the figures little. The building
looked much like a good-szed wooden
tabernacle" For two nights past the honest
ftsero and Herkimer farmers have beer driving
into town to look at this imposing structure and
ssare at the electric light, which is new in these
par,s. The Convention, too, seemed to be diver
non to the urban visitors. The gray-haired dowa-
sers left their knitting the broad white pazzas,
and their little whist parties under the evening
lamp, to look at the crowds of mon on the sidewalk
ana to-day a good many of them came into the
wiewam, where the spectators were fenced of at
The aides. The body of the floor was occupied by
the delegates.
Everybody sat planed board benches and
liked It, There were flags, banners, streamers and
bunting everywhere, hanging from the bare rafters
and supports and serving to dress tho nakedness of
tho roof. The platform at one end, whore the roof
slauted down almost to the heads Of the chairman
and secretaries had little sky Of blue bunting
over it. studded with silver stars. Small yellow
p,acards bearing tthe name of the county aud dis
triei. hung by wire over every delegation.
Everybody looked through the windows at the
brilliant September sky and breathed the fresh air.
and liked that too. The roof made it easy to speak
and hear, and that another cause of satsfac-
ton
HARMONY PREVAILING FROM THE BEGINNING.
The opening proceedings of the Convention gave
On unusual illustration of harmony by showing that
there were to be no contests over seats. When the
roll-call reached the XVIII District of New-York.
s. " K Cruger announced that the differences
there had been adjusted and the contestants had
agreed for the sake of harmony not to press their
CLAIMS When the Ist Oswego District was called
there was indeed an unusual exhibition of good
feeling Ex-Speaker G. B. Sloan, the leader of the
delegation which was admitted last night by the
State Committee rose and asked that the name OF
w. CullInau, the leader of the opposing delega-
ton be ten porarily substituted for his own. that
he might make a statement. This was done, and
Mr.. Cullinan spoke briefly, saying that
the delegation yielded nothing but withdrew
from the contest for the sake of harmony. This
evoked loud applause and removed the last need for
aCommitteeon Credentials Nevertheless Congress
man Skinner few minutes later offered the usual
resolution for the appointment of such committee.
which Senator Lapham the temporary chairman.
ruled ont of order. Mr.. Skinner explained that he
had offered it against his own judgment and at the
request of the authorities of the Convention. and
raised laugh by suggesting that If there was
pothng for a Committee ON Contested Seats TO do
here, they might be allowed to cit IN Buffalo next
week.
Senator Lapham made an address on taking the
char which was received with marked favor. Its
recital of the party's achievements seemed to
quicken the pulse of the convention and aroused
something like the old>time Republican enthusi-
asm. His alluson to protection produced the first
cheer of the day. and In fact all such allnsons
during the Convention aroused great enthusiasm.
HIS reference to President Arthur was received
with long applause, to which the New-York delega-
ton did not seem to contribute great deal. The
reading of resolutions adopted by the National
Industrial Leagues. offered by Salem H. Wales, and
ofothers adopted by the Anti Monopoly League and
offered by A. b. Hepburn. were the chief remaining
Incidents Of the morning session.
SENATOR MIrLER's PLAIN WORDS.
The principal event of the afternoon session and,
indeed, Of the day, the speech Of Senator Miller
the permanent chairman. Tremendous applause
greeted his dcnunciation of the ghouls who have
been trying to desecrate the grave of Garfield But
he quickly passed from this subject to frank, and
perhaps bold presentation of the evils of the pres
eDI system Of party machinery. especially IN en-
trusting the nomination OF candidates and the elec-
ton of delegates to State Conventions to conven-
NJ lao frnr tha f.a1
Of making such selections by the direct vote of the
people themselves. 1t had been known to a few of
Senator Micr's friends that he intended to speak
strongly and fearlessly upon this subject, believing
a. he does that the salvation of the Republican
party in this State depends upon such broadening
Of the organization as shall bring all Republican
voters into active membership; and these friends
watched with much interest to see how his remarks
would be received. The impression made was in
stantaneous. The convention evidently felt that
they were not listening to an ordinary address of
convention platitudes but to an earnest presenta-
uon Of questions bearing directly upon the partys
Welfare. The entire body listened with tho closest
attention. and some exchanged whispered comments
assent now and then.
The Senator could not 90 so far into details in
sacn an address as the subject deserved but he
"sas lar enough to cause the convention to take
scsen which cannot fail to have important results.
ssid Ia the course of his address, that the evils
sne present system Of political organi-
suon were by no means confined to the
Sace This was the keynote of his address.
notorious, though Senator Miller did
esy 90 directly. tnat the present system invites
A. 'paiation to marked degree even in the rural
actA When delegates TO be sent to State
vuavention, instead of being chosen by the people
'aAe IN their own neIghborhoods they are selected
e. "a enthusiastically small one-made up of
ssses slscted at primaries. which are perhaps