The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-06-14
just Criticism of Mr.. Curtis.

General Arson McCook, in New York Tribune
II do not understand howa man of Mr. Curtis's
presumably high sense of honor can take the pc
sition he does. For the first time in the history
of our party the national convention was com
posed of delegates chosen directly by the Repub-
licans of the different congressional districts.
The abolition of the unit rule was brought about
largely in consequence Of the demands of men
who believed there was danger to the party in its
continued enforcement and, unless l am much
mistaken, Mr. Curtis was of the most per-
sistent advocates of the new departure At all
events under it he was selected as delegate to
Chicago, and from his reputation and his
position as chairman of the New York
delegation, he became at once one of
the most conspicuous figures in the
convention He spoke oftener, perhaps, than
any other delegate-was listened to with atten-
ton and respect-was consulted with and de-
ferred to by all. When the resolution was of
fered binding in advance the members of the
convention to the support of the ticket it was
Withdrawn chiefly because there was no DISPOSE
ton to do anything that looked like coercing Mr.
Curtis, and those who acted with him.
Neither Mr. Curtis nor any of his friends
complained of the methods by which the nomi-
nations of Mr.. Blaine and General Logan were
brought about. There was no complaint of the
absolute fairness of the whole transaction and
Mr. Curtis himself says that the nomination of
Mr.. Blaine is doubtless agreeable to the majority
of the party The plain fact is,
that no convention has ever represented
more fully and clearly the honest and untram-
melled views of the delegates and their con-
stituents. When the nomination of Mr. Blaine
was made unanimous Mr. Curtis remained silent.
neither voting nor protesting against it, and
subsequently he took part in the nomination of
president, voting for his favorite and an
nouncing the vote of the State of New York
recognize the right of Republican to bolt a
nomination when it has been secured by dishon-
est or disreputable methods, or when he is de-
MED right to participate in the primary meet
ings of his party. But when a man has taken
part in the proceedings of a convention: when he
neither complains of its methods nor enters a
protest against the result, confess that refus
al to support the nominees strikes me as not
only wrong in itself, but destructive of party
discipline and party organization.
81 do not believe that the action of Mr. Curtis
and others, called Independents, will be success
full in defeating the Republican ticket. but should
they do so, it is certain as anything can be in
the future that they and they alone will be re-
sponsible for the destruction of the party"
"Have you any knowledge of what the boys
will dol"
~ have not seen any of them since left Chi
cago, and have no right or authority to speak
for them but, from my knowledge of them they
will give loyal and Jealous support to the ticket
In certain quarters it has become the correct
thing to sneer at and belitte them, but they are
staunch and true Republicans, and are entitled
to great consideration for the faithful and sue
cessful work they have done in the interests of
the party"