The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-07-18
GROVER CLEVELAND
FIRST DAYS PROCEEDINGS.

The National Democratic convention opened
at Chicago in the building in which the Ma
tional Republican convention had been held
month previous
ACTION OF THE NEW YORK DELEGATION.
For weeks speculation has been rife con-
corning the probable choice Of the conven-
tion, the chief interest centering in the struggle
for and against Governor Cleveland's candi-
dacy in the New York delegation. On the day
previous to the opening of the convention the
seventy-two New York delegates met at their
headquarters in the Palmer house and took
an informal ballot on the delegates choice for
a presidential candidate. The result was
Cleveland, 46 votes; Flower, 90; Tilden, Il;
Bayard, 1 Thurman, |. Upon formal
ballot the vote resulted Cleveland,
Al Slocum, Is; Bayard, o.; Flower,
!. A resolution was then offered that the
chairman of the delegation be instructed to
present Governor Cleveland's name to the con-
vention, and that the chairman cast the ~
votes of New York for him until further or
ders. The resolution was opposed by Messrs
Reilly and Grady, and advocated by Colonel
until A P. NJ. At the afternoon session
Messrs. Kelly and Grady again spoke against
the enforcement of the rule of casting the del
egation's vote as a unit. Upon ballot being
taken sixty-one votes were east in favor OF
the enforcement of the unit rule and eleven
votes against such enforcement. The resolu-
tion was amended at Mr.. Gradys request, and
1x itc tbair
rected to announce upon the call of States
that the Saratoga convention instructed the
delegates to vote as unit; that vote having
been taken for choice of candidates, forty nine
favored Cleveland and twenty three delegates
had other preferences and were divided be-
tween Flower, Bayard and Slocum.
MR.. TILDEN AGAIN DECLINES
The following is an authentic copy of a
communication to Mr.. Barnum, the chairman
of the national committee, from Mr.. Tilden,
and made public on the eve Of the conven-
ton:
G.,EYsToNE, July 5, 1884,
Tothe Hon. William II, Bdrnun, Chicago,
ILL., have received your telegram informing
me of the disposition to nominate me for the
presidency, and asking, "Will you accept q
unanimous nomination from the conventionl'
and also telegram from Mr.. Manning, say
ing, "It seems absolutely necessary that you
Ql should answer Barnum's telegram as soon
as possible"
the negative by my letter of June 10 to Mr..
Manning. >. j. TILDEN.
OPENING OF THE CONVENTION.
CHICAGO, July S.--When the convention
was called to order at 1910 noon, E,0O0 peo-
pie filled the seats in the vast amphitheatre,
and among the spectators were n large num-
ber of women, whose bright costumes afforded
pleasing contrast to the sober garments of
the delegates and male spectators. The ar
rangements and decorations of the hall were
declared superior to those of the convention of
four weeks ago. The main stage had been
placed midway at one side of the hall instead
of at the extreme end. This brought the entire
audience much closer to the stage proper and
to the delegates The decorations We're not
profuse, but striking and pleasing to the eye,
the national colors predominatng. The main
platform, however, was dwarfed by the mag
nifcent proportions of the hall The delegates
were seated in a square Immediately fronting
the speakers platform on the level of the con-
vention hall. Between the delegates and the
platform were the quarters assigned the
press representatives, who had been provided
with tables in rising tiers, thus afford
ing this working army a complete view OF the
entire hall. To the right and left Of the dele
gates were the seats FOR the spectators, sloplng
upward easily to point thirty feet from the
level of the floor. The lighting of the vast
hall is excellent, as it is fianked and crowned
with great windows, which pour a flood Of
light upon every portion of the auditorium.
AT II 80 a. m. the scarlet-coated band of the
First Illinois regiment took position above the
speakers platform and burst forth with a mar
tial air, which proved the signal for the arriv-
al of the first of the delegates, the Tennesseans
leading the van. From that moment the
crowd streamed in without ceasing until
the noon hour, when the hall was filled to
its utmost capacity. Among the United
States Senators, who were present, either
as delegates, alternates or as sim
pie spectators were Hampton, Vance, Beck,
Williams, Mcpherson, German, Farley, Voor-
hees Pendleton Jones of Florida, Ransom,
Lamar, Jonas, Call and Harris.
CALLED TO ORDER.
At 12:4O o'clock the convention was called
to order by ex-senator Barnum, chairman OF