The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1884-06-07
NATIONAL,
REPUBLICAN CONVENTION |
The Great Assemblage at Chicago
of the Representatives of the
National Republican
Party.

The most notable gathering of the year 1884 was
the great convention of the National Republican
party, which was brought to order at noon on
Tuesday last, by rap from the gavel in the hands
of Senator Sabin, chairman of the National Repub-
lican Committee.
For several days before the assembling of the
convention delegates from all the States and Ter
ritories of the Union commenced assembling at
Chicago, and although the convention did not
meet until Tuesday, Saturday night found large
numbers of representative men gathered at the
place of rendezvous, and even before that the
work had commenced in earnest.
The two leading candidates-President Arthur
and the Hon. James G. Blaine-were represented
by their most prominent men and best workers,
and from then until the time Of the meeting of the
convention some very lively scenes were witnessed
at the large hotels which were used as headquar-
tiers for the various delegations.
When the National Committee met for the pur-
pose of settling on temporary chairman for the
convention, several names were placed in nomina-
ton, among them Hon. Powell Clayton, of Arkansas.
Mr.. Clayton was elected as an Arthur delegate,
but after reaching Chicago the seductive bait of a
temporary Craftsmanship held out by the friends
of Mr.. Blaine appeared to have been too much for
him and he went over to that side. When the
committee reported their selection to the conven-
ton it produced widespread dissatisfaction, and
| a number of the most prominent men in the body
vi0aranslv- anaasAa- his AlAetian--H an-Iahn r.
| Lynch, colored ex-member of Congress from Mis-
sissippi was then placed in nomination against
| Clayton, and when the ballot was taken he was
elected by a majority of about fifty votes. This
result was not anticipated by the friends of Mr..
Blaine, who desired to reward Clayton for coming
| over to their side, and it was regarded big
| set back to the chances of the Plumed Knight,
whose friends before the taking of this vote, had
regarded his prospects as much brighter than
those of any other candidate.
| After the selection Of the temporary chairman
portant business, the convention adjourned until
ii a. m, Wednesday.
On the assembling of the convention on We'd
nesday the committee credentials and other
committees were named, and as it would require
some time for them to report, the convention ad-
journed until p. m.
At the night session Gen. Henderson, of Mis-
souri,, was elected permanent president and upon
taking the chair made a stirring speech which
created much enthusiasm. A number Of petit
tions, resolutions, &c, presented and ap-
propriately referred, after which the convention
adjourned until Thursday morning at 10 o'clock.
The work of the convention greatly re-
tarded by the committee on credentials, who had
to dispose of number of contests which were
vigorously fought by both sides. Gen. Malone
and his delegation from Virginia, were given
seats in the convention, the vote for their ad-
| mission being almost unanimous.
| 1t was not until Thursday night that the con-
vention really got down to business. After the
| adoption of the platform the nomination of can
| didates was proceeded with amid much enthusi-
asm. Each candidate was placed in nomination
by some chosen orator and when the second came
another speech was necessary and this all con-
sumed great deal of time. The session contin-
ued during the night, and up to the hour of our
going to press (Friday) no ballot had been taken,
so that we have not the pleasure of announcing
the nominees in this issue of THE UNION.
President Arthur and Mr.. Blaine continue the
most prominent candidates before the conven-
tion but it is very generally believed that nei-
Their will be nominated and that the chances for q
clark horse" are better now than ever.
The platform in full, with interesting sketches
of the candidates, will be published in our next
issue.