The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-06-11
The Chicago Convention.
Our report of last week closed with the cleo
ton, on Tuesday, Of Hon. John r. Lynch OF
Mississippi as temporary chairman.
WEDNESDAY MORNING.

Our report OF last week closed with tne cleo
ton, on Tuesday, Of Hon. John K. Lynch OF
Mississippi as temporary chairman.
WEDNESDAY MORNING.
A larger crowd than that Of Tuesday awaited
the reassembling OF the convention Wednesday
morning In the vicinity of the exposition build
ing, lining the sidewalks and gathering in
excited groups around the main entrance.
Minglng In the throng we're delegates, men OF
the press, alternates and members Of the out
side delegations-one and all recognizable by
their badges OF various hues and inscriptions.
The hall itself began TO fill and buzz with talk
long before the hour OF assembling, and by
eleven clock 1t seemed to be better filled and
more alive with interest than on the previous
day. 1t was twenty-five minutes after eleven
o'clock, however, before the slight figure of
Chairman Lynch appeared behind the desk,
and the fast.repeated blows Of his gavel an
nounced the opening of the second days SEES
sion. The forenoon session. while brief, was
not wanting in spirit and in significant indca-
tions. One of the most striking features of
the session was the evident determination of
the Blaine men to avoid any further test issues.
When the report OF the committee on perma-
nent organization was presented there seemed
momentary expectation on the part of the
delegates that opposition would be made but
it was not, and Mr.. j. B. Henderson of Mis-
souri, was elected permanent chairman with
but the midest dissent of few negative
voices. Again, when an enthusiastic Tennessee
Blaine delegate, ELUSIVE in party loyalty, pro-
posed resolution pledging every delegate to
support the nominee, and declaring all who
would not unworthy of seats in the convention,
it seemed at first like piece of Blaine tactics.
But after the brief, telling speech Of George
William Curtis against the resolution, which
clearly carried conviction to the vast majority
of the convention, the mover felt impelled to
withdraw it, as no delegate responded to the
chairman's call for defender OF the resolution.
The only speeches in favor Of 1t were made by
the mover and California delegate. No
Blaine leader tried and Mr.. Curtis was allowed
to crush it without resistance. The only solid
work OF the session was the effecting of per-
manent organization. After the usual number
of resolutions and memorials had been read
from the desk and referred to the committee
on resolutions, and the announcement that the
committee on credentials was not ready to re-
port till evening, the convention adjourned.
WEDNESDAY EVENING.
In the evening the great hall was ablaze with
light, and crowded with brilliant assemblage
1t was known in advance that no business could
be done, for the committee on credentials was
still disputing over contested seats; but the
immense congregation assembled Only unim-
portant business was transacted and Governor
Long moved that the convention adjourn till
eleven o'clock Thursday morning 1t was
amended to ten o'clock, and the motion was
carried
THURSDAY MORNING.
The convention this morning presented the
appearance of denser crowd in every part of
the hall than on either of the previous days
Although the hour of assembling had been set
at ten, the multitude of delegates and specta-
tors did not get settled in. their places until
within few minutes of eleven. The ticket
holders had come in much fuller force, doubt
less in the expectation or hope that the So
long-waited -for eventful day had arrived. The
delegates came scattering into the hall by
groups, or sauntered in leisuely, as if they
felt that the day of hard work had begun, and
were rather loath that it should begin. 1t was
ffty-fve minutes past ten when the tall spare
form OF President Henderson appeared above
the desk half hidden from view by an enormous
and brilliant bouquet. sensation of salts
faction ran through the hall as Mr.. Ballard of
Vermont, the chairman of the credentials COM
mittee, appeared on the platform at the presi-
dents side holding a manuscript The long
delayed report of the committee without which
no further business could proceed, was about
to be read. Mr.. Ballard announced that the
deliberations of the committee had been har-
monious, and that it had agreed upon unani-
nous report, and Judge Fort of New Jersey
proceeded to read the document in high, de-
| liberate voice, distinctly heard to the remOtest
corner of the immense hall. Applause greeted
several Of the decisions on the contested cases,
but when Judge Fort announced that the COM
mittee admitted the claims of the Malone dele
cation to the Virginia seats, loud cheering
broke out from many parts of the hall. The
report passed the ordeal OF the convention with
unexpected ease. The report on credentials was
| at once followed by that on rules and order of
| business, and this report gave rise to the first
| spirited debates of the day. Several amendments
were offered and passed upon after discussion
| The most important rule adopted was the one
excluding those from the national committee
who are not eligible to be members of the
electoral college. When this amendment was
adopted it was greeted with general cheering
Then followed an exciting debate on the APP
portionment question Mr.. Bard OF California
presented the majority report on apporton-
ment, which leaves the present system as it
is. He was promptly followed by Mr.. Bishop
of Massachusetts, whose slight form appeared
standing ON a chair in the center of the hall,
who gave in the minority report, which appor-
toned the delegates according to the Frye plan
upon the republican votes cast at the last
preceding presidential election. The Blaine
men vigorously opposed the minority report,
and it was finally withdrawn. 1t was amid a
storm of applause, in which the Southern
delegates took enthusiastic part, some of them
leaping on their chairs and waving their hats,
that the majority report was unanimously
adopted and decided the continuance of the
existing method of delegate apportionment.
Mr.. Mckinley of Ohio, chairman of the COM
mittee on resolutions, then read
THE PLATFORM.
~ Inc Republicans OF tne UnlL6Q STATES, IN ma
tional convention assembled, renew their allie
glance to the principles upon which they have
| triumphed in six successive presidential cleo
tions and congratulate the American people at
the attainment of so many results in legislation
and administration by which the republican
party has, after saving the Union, done so
much to render its institutions just, equal and
| benefcent.
"The safeguard Of liberty and the embodi-
ment of the best thought and highest purposes
of our citizens, the republican party has gained
its strength by quick and faithful response to
the demands Of the people for the freedom and
equality OF all men; for a united nation, assur-
ing the rights of all citizens; for the elevation
of labor; for an honest currency; for purity in
| legislation and for integrity and accountability
in all the departments Of government; and 1t
accepts anew the duty of leading in the work
of progress and reform.
1--WE lament the death OF President Garfield,
whose sound craftsmanship, long conspicuous
| in congress, gave promise OF q strong and sue
cessful administrations promise fully realized
during his short period of office as president of
| the United States. His distinguished success
| in war and peace have endeared him in the
hearts of the American people.
"In the administration of President Arthur
| we recognize wise conservative and patriotic
policy, under which the country has been
blessed with remarkable prosperity, and we
| believe his eminent services are entitled to. and
will receive the hearty approval of, every citizen.
:" 1t is the first duty of good government to
protect the rights and promote the interests of
its own people, The largest diversity OF in