Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-10-09
A WOMAN TURNED THE TIDE.
Bliss Strickland, of Michigan, Saves
Political Fight,
rom Che Neao York WorI.

DETROIT, Oct. 6.--Miss Martha Strick-
land, of st. Johns, Clinton county, awoke
this morning to find herself famous as q
woman politician in Michigan. Letters
and kilograms of congratulations have
been showered on her all day for her re-
markable work in the Sixth district
Greenback and Democratic Convention
at Flint, on Monday night and Tuesday
morning, when she fired the warning politi-
cal elements with thrilling speech at a
time when no other of the 100 dele
gates present could secure more than
partial recognition. The event bas
brought political talk into circles where
politics were never before discussed,
while among politicians there is nothing
else mentioned. There is heard on all
sides desire to see her and hear her
speak, and it is not unlikely that she may
plead for GaDle, the Democratic nominee,
before the campaign is over. Miss Strick-
land Is woman of mature years, wide
experience and deep culture. She has
been known as rising lawyer and
dabbler in local politics, bat her present
triumph was unexpected.
A few weeks ago the Democrats and
Greenbackers OF the Sixth district made
| separate nominations, refusing to fuse.
This insured the election OF a Republican,
! used, coming manly from Don NJ. Dick
inson. the two candidates withdrew and
the Democrat and Greenback cOnven-
| tions were called again for Monday. The
| delegates met at Flint according to call,
and, after some coquetuug apart,
came together and began ballot
ing IN JOINT convention. The nomi-
nees of the former conventions were
at frs. the fayoriteS, and the feeling, es-
m 10 NnrfO a H.,
/ early began to show signs OF extreme
bitterness. AS the balloting continued
| the lines were drawn straighter. and 1t
! seemed hopeless to expect the convention
| to agree on candidate. While the
! Democrats showed no signs of yielding,
the Greenbackers were apparently even
less likely to surrender the nomination.
One excited delegate Of the latter faction
! declared early in the contest that the
Democrats under ID. NJ. Dickinson were
demanding everything, and using the
! Greenbackers simply as a cats paw.
This intensified the feeling and stifiened
the waverlnR of both sides. Almost at
the first the name of John II. Fedewa bad
appeared with small following OF DEM
Ocrats and one or two Greenbackers. A
! few candidates dropped out as the ballot
ing proceeded and shortly after midnight,
when the twenty-tfth ballot bad been
reached amid constantly growing excite
ment, Fedewa was holding the almost
| solid Democratic vote, with Rev. G. L.
Diego bis only dangerous competitor. At
this point u prominent Greenbacker en-
deavored to gain the ear Of the conven-
lion, but was drowned amid an uprOar of
| shouts and motions to adjourn.
IL seemed to be hopeless to attempt to
address the delegates who bad become ir-
ritable with the veXations OF a long and
! Ruthless contest. At this moment Miss
| Strickland, q Greenback delegate from ST.
Johns, took the platform aud waved her
| hand for silence. Curiosity, as much as
anything, secured her a bearing. She
was remembered by all for her peculiar
| marriage contract with Leo Miller, dis
solved only few months ago, and she
was known TO few as a lawyer, politI-
clan and shrewd woman generally. With
the utmost cOmposure and In excellent
voice that could be heard all over the hall,
she rapidly and keenly sketched the situa-
| tion, and pointed ou6 that the result Of
the non-agreement would be to give the
district bodily to the Republicans. This
was all the more TO be regretted since the
fusion candidate was elected two years
ago.
This appeal from a Greonbacker, elo-
qucnty put and powerfully backed by
telling argument and illumined with
many flashes OF wit, was frequently inter-
rupted by An applause that was notable
as being the first concerted action OF the
night. 1t was then O'Clock in the morn
! ing. A motion to adjourn at the conclu-
sion OF Miss Stricklaud's speech was
voted down, and the first ballot thereafter
showed Greenback break for Bedewa
and an answer TO Miss Strickland's APP
| peal. He continued to grow In strength
until 3 a. m, when he received 100 votes
! and WAS nominated on the forty-fourth
/ ballot.
| The convention then broke up. singing,
| ave won't go home until morning."
! Fedswa IL Prosecuting Attorney tor Clin-
ton county ana Mics Strickland IS his ss-
sistant. She will undoubtedly succeed
| him should he be elected.