The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-06-11
OUR CHICAGO LETTER.
ro+oe and Incidents of the Great
Political Gathering.
co,ored Delegates Numerous and Impor.
+ont-Our Correspondent Ventures
an OPINION as to the Popu-
lar1ty of Candidates
CHICAGO, May 81, 1884.

Editors of River Press
To saw that the heart Of the hotel
roanpr is glad expresses but mildly his
feelings just at present. He numbers
his quests by the thousands, and it is
u,ith difficulty that one can force his
wav around in the corridors and lob
hios While all the hotels are full, the
Grand Pacific presents the most lively
scene. 1t is here that hundreds of ex-
cited men are talking over the situa-
tion: it is here that Maine is shaking
the hand of California, while each one
hedges himself to stand by Blaine '.for
the war; and the southern republicans
are bracing each other up and boldly
declaring that Arthur will be nominat-
cd on the first ballot 1t was here that
saw very large, fieshy and ebony
Gentleman, with one arm placed around
the neck of spruce and influential
Rlaine man, and the other lovingly en-
twined around the aristocratic neck Of
an Arthur gentleman, while he copious-
" famed and perspired upon them,
explaining the situation as seen by one
of the rising and voting race.
These gentlemen had found long
lost brother, and as they held the yoke
SO attectionately placed upon them, they
lifted smiling and grateful faces to an
admiring delegation, and like faithful
cattle, as they were, stretched out their
necks and hung out their tongues until
they touched the dust, in an 'honest eff
fortn to draw a few votes to that mill
which would dc the work after their
own idea. This demonstrative individ-
ual had in turn at least dozen of the
politicians OF different shades in his em-
BRACE giving each some very contiden-
tial advice.
There are quite number OF colored
delegates. Ii seems to me that have
seen fifty of them at least-if there is
not that number, then all those who are
here are made very conspicuous. While
it is fine entertainment to draw up TO
any of these excited "bunches" OF men,
and hear them make the most extrava-
CANT and absurd statements in regard to
their coming man." it is particularly
50 if the little company chances to be OF
the eXcitable negro race. | was an ad-
miring listener to such talk of dozen
or fifteen gentlemen from the south. A
very tall brother from Texas was laying
down the law to a very broad brother
from ''old Virginny," and as his long
arm and ponderous hand arose higher
and higher above his head, while his
eulogy upon the great and good Blaine
poured forth in that eloquence SO much
lndulged in by his race, and murmurs
of approval greeted him on every side.
AS he gradually neared the climax to
his argument, his left band stole sooth-
ingly to the shoulder Of his short OPP
ponent, while his right kept on ascend
ing into the region OF the gas fixtures.
At last the argument was made and
cinched by that powerful right hand,
which descended like the blow of pile
driver upon ''old Virginny's" shoulder,
amid applause from the Blaine people,
who believed for the instant that the
last vestige of Arthurism was for ever
removed. Not so; Virginia's nobby
cane gently found its way to proml-
nent position under his mighty arm,
while his chubby thumbs stole quietly
to a secure nest in the arm holes OF his
generous vest. With head thrown back
until the glossy beayer seems about to
slip from the shining pate, and eyes
roaming from the assembled congrega-
ton to the massive arches above him,
Virginia turns loose, and once more we
see and hear the short, fat, jolly and
humorous politician give utterance TO
his sentiments in vein that it seems
but few of the tall and lean eyer pos
sess. On this argument Arthur came
out ahead
1t is beyond the power Of any one TO
form any idea of value OF the situation
at present. Before you get this letter
you will probably get telegram giving
the nomination, but now all Is conlu-
sion. AS you enter the office OF tile pal-
mer or Grand Pacific you will see hrst
the squirming multitude OF politicians,
and as every one is as slippery as an eel
they are hard to corner. You VIII no
tlce, then, as you look around, placards
IN every conspicuous place, such as Ar
thur Headquarters in Gentlemen's Far
lor,n Blaine Headquarters Rooms 46
and 49," Logan Headquarters CluD
Room 4 y "Republican Conference Com
mittee Club Room A." Republican
Central Committee Room A. ETC., etc.
You 60 around to the Arthur headquar-
ters, and from under large draped nags
the the pleasant countenance OF their
chief looks down upon you as you are
presented with a neatly bound pampnleG
containing the proceedings OF the Dusi-
ness mems meeting in New YORK. a
hundred of these 'sheavy gentlemen
are talking with each other, ana every
one claims that there is no-can be no
doubt but that their candidate will get
the nomination.
Go around to the Blaine headquarters
and you find more enthusiasm ana louu
talking-in fact much more "hurrah,
boys" and the same confidence backed
by authentic pledges" of a majority OF
The delegates to nominate their man on
the first ballot
Go to the Logan headquarters and an
enthusiastic gathering of the Grand