The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-06-04
PUT TO THE TEST.
First Vote in the National Repub.
lican Convention.
Intense Excitement During the Vote
Result: Lynch, 432i Clay.
ton, 3s7.
Lynch's Address--Graphic Description Of
the Proceedings--The Regular Com
mittees Appointed-Ante and
Post-Convention Notes.

CHICAGO, June AT 1918 the delegates
and visitors began pouring into the conven-
ton hall, and soon the floors. galleries and
stage were crowded, making a brilliant
spectacle The richly colored costumes of
the lady guests, the bright badges of the del
egates, with the profusion Of flags and ban
nsrs, like Joseph's coat of
MANY CoLoRS, COMBINED
to make the scene ons long to be remem
bered.
Sabin arose to call the conven-
ton to order, and silence was soon
obtained. As he raised the gavel to sound
the notice of business, the delegates ceased
their conference, the visitors craned their
necks to get view OF the chairman, and the
press representatives made ready to record
the proceedings.
1t was insufferably close within the hall,
and the facilities for ventilation were scarcely
adequate to the demands.
Mr.. Sabin, after gazing about with an APP
parent air OF annoyance, raped the meet
ing to order half an hour later than the hour
appointed. Previous to so doing however
the state banners were taken down.
FLANAGAN THE TEXAS INTERLoCUTOR,
Was cheered and the sergeant at arms an
nounced that smoking was positively pro
hibited in the auditorium.
Gentlemen of the National Republican
convention" said Chairman Sabn, "the
hour having arrived for opening the national
convention, the meeting will be
OPENED WITH PRAYER
by Rev. Mr. Bristoe."
The latter, small slender gentleman,
in md
invoked the blessing of God upon the conven-
tion assembled. He thanked God for
Plymouth Rock, the declaration of indie
pendence, the proclamation of emancipation,
the results Of the war, and the Republican
party. He bssought that the results of
the convention might be in harmony
with the will of God; that the cam
paign might be free from circumstances
which, too often, accompany such occur
rences, and that the result would be such as
ennoble man, contribute to the glory of the
country, the good Of religion, the promotion
of education, and the blessings of heaven.
The prayer was greeted with prolonged
applause.
Senator Sabin read his opening address.
He congratulated the party on having pos
sessed such leaders in the past as Grant and
Garfield. The formers name was slightly
heered, but
THE NAME OF GARFIELD
drew out all the enthusiasm of the assem-
blage, and cheers were again and again re-
peated.
Clayton was about to take the chair when
Cabot Lodge, OF Massachusetts,, rose and
said it was the right of the convention to
adopt the choice Of the committee for tenn
poraTy chairman or reverse it. With nc
view of attempting to make a test vote OF
the strength of the candidates, but to give the
best possible effect and to strengthen the
party, he would move to substitute the
name of John r Lynch, of Mississippi
Great applause butcher, of New York
seconded the resolution, and demanded cal
of the roll This brought more cheering
and the excitement became intense
Morrow, of California, said the convention
should proceed with proper preliminaries
that Nc such precedent had ever been set
(Great applausel; that it was impolitit
to commence O great campaign witt
hostility to the report on tn.
floor Of the convention. With fire and enthu
siasm he urged the convention not to conside
the resolution, but to support the judgmen
Vi Lne udLUAai COnulIue1 lITOlouSeu dp
plause @Let us go for success, said tn
speaker amid a torrent of yells. He pro
ceeded at length to express his ideas of wha
sort of man the chairman should be.
A motion was made that the roll of state
instead Of the roll of delegates be called
which was greeted with shouts of "Nol"
This threw the convention into an uproal
and it was some time before order was re
stored. George William Curtis advocate,
the selection of Lynch, and a hot discussion
was at once begun. A delegate moved tina
the roll be called, but it was objected tina
there were no rules yet adopted for the gov
eminent of the convention.
Tire chair decided that the rules of th
house of representatives were in order, AM
that a roll Of the delegates must be called
The decision was greeted with cat calls.
John Stewart. of Tennessee, said he rose t,
question Of expediency of proceeding; tina
nothing but course which would affort
dignity to the convention would be justifia
bic Clayton had rendered to his country
service on the field of battle What man OF
the floor would doubt Clayton's word2 If an
had aught to say against it, let him say it.