The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-06-26
rIRsT pAy,s ppOCEEDTNGs

nesota aud elsewhere to bring his strength on
the first ballot up to ninety-four uotes
FIRST DAYS PROCEEDINGS.
| Staff Correspondence Constitution.
| CHICAGO, June 19.-There has been no
| change in the relative positions Of the prosi-
Dental candidates today and Sherman still
| holds the lead with Depew coming rapidly
| forward, with strong probability OF interior
ing seriously with Shernnan's chances. DepeW
shows strong following in the New England
states and the fact that he is the candidate Of
New ork New Jersey and Connecticut has
brought an unexpected support 10 him from
other sections, though the extreme west still
demonstrates against him. A number OF south
ern delegates have declared for him and his
friends are hard at work proselyting tonight,
The Blaine feeling is stronger today than 1t
has yet been, and it will be proportionately
stronger tomorrow. His friends are on the
close watch, and openly declare their intention
OF putting his name before the convention
California wants to present it first on roll call
though 1t Is probable that the counsel Of his
eastern friends will prevail, and that the Pa
ciiic slope will withhold its Blaine enthusiasm
until the signal is given for II to be uncorked.
The national republican conventionlhas lin
ished its first days work. 1t begun with
row and it ended with row, and most OF the
session, that was not devoted to the settlement
OF the strife existing among the delegations,
was occupied IN flying the bloodY-shirt with an
enthusiasm which even astOnis bed the conven-
ton. The first evidence of the extreme dis
ordered state Of tie conventions dcliberative
organ exhibited itself as soon as they were
called upon 10 do their first formative work.
The national committee had agreed upon John
Nj. Thurston, of Nevada, as temporary chair
man, though after a heated con-
test In which he was chosen by
the deciding vote Of the chairman The fight
was prompted BY his connection with the I'm
ion Pacific railway, and the legal wars he has
waged against the government. AS the lead
ing counsel OF the giant corporation, his oppo-
nents protested that 81 would never do TO
choose him as it would be used against the
party with powerful effect in the western
states. However, he was decided upon and
was duly turned over TO the convention today
as a temporary chairman. A volcanic mem
Der Of the Kansas delegation, by the name of
Osborn, erupted and interrupted at this point
and cut off Mr.. Thurston very uncere-
monoously Just as he had begun his
address OF thanks "for the honor conferred,
etc"
"Knnsas declines to be responsible for the
arbitrary action Of the national committee
porod tho fiery Osborne; "and demands a call
OF the states"
There were Kisses and also shouts of ap-
proval, but as Thurston had been duly INSTALL
ed and held the gavel, the eruptiye delegate
was promptly sat on and was forced
which proceeded to his work and
continued his speech, which was a strong one
and faTcibly and eloquently delivered.
The straw to test the sentiment of the con-
vention was set adrift by tho speaker, whose
tribute to Blaine brought the vast throng to its
feet. The galleries and tho delegates showed
ut the idea that Thurston's words meant his
declaration, but they didn't; he had only re-
sorted to shrewd device in oratory
to capture the crowd. Passing from
Blaine, he aroused the friends Of each
of the candidates by complimentary illusions,
but returned again to the Florontine statesman;
but this time for another purpose. After again
clarifying him and riveting tho attention of
the audience to Il degree Of supreme ex-
pectancy, he suddenly changedstaetcs and in
an outburst OF eloqucnce declared But as
his friends we must not, cannot, dare not, COM
init the political crime of disobedionce
nate him for the presidency, but
win place him at the head OF our forces in the
field"
The effect was instantaneous and startling.
IN a minute every Blaine mau in the hall had
rolapscd into absolute quiet even to solomni-
ty. But tho combined friends Of Sherman,
Harrison, Gresham and Others took up the cry
and howled themselves hoaTse, but the COM
bined enthusiasm did not equal the reception,
which was awarded Blainos name.
After the speaker induced in an
elaborate pyrotechnical display Of
the bloody shire. he declared tho convention
ready for business.
Then arose another row of magnificent and
amusing proportions. II was over the Vir-
einia contest, and it seemed that Malone and
John Wise would come to blows. The ma
tional committee has recognized the Malone
delegates of the state at large, and in but two
Of the ten districts was there not n contest.
The delegates from these two districts and
Mahono's at large committeeman recommend
Malone as the states representative in the OK
ecutiVo committee, to which would be re-
fcrred tho whole matter OF the contest Mr.
Wise presented his case to tho convention and
protested that Malone had no right TO sit in
Judgment in his own behalf. He attacked the
wiry little ex-senator in the tiercest manner
and charged that he was simply using tho
republican party in Virginia for his own pur-
poses and that he would not hesitate TO be-
tray it.
WISE AND MALONE SPEAK,
The sentiment Of the convention was divided
on the question, and Mr.. Wise was literally
applauded "a was also Malone, who followed.
As tho Malone delegation was avowedly Cor
sherman. and Wiso's for Blaine, the contest
became particularly interesting, outside of the
acrimonious turn which il took between the
two an-ior-rcvcnue-oulY leaders As
Malone spoke Wise stood near by and looked
defantly on The formor presented his side,
and quickly turning to Wise, shook his fist at
his upturned nose and exclaimed "Your
charges, man, are as false as you are foul"
Thon the convention went into another up.
roar. 1t looked as If Malone aud Wise would
hitch but the latter turned and struggled 10
2
Hoar, OF Massachusetts, however got in a plea
for harmony and the matter was dropped by
referring it to tho credentials committee, with
the understanding that Virginia should not be
represented ON the committee.
1t was touching sight 20 witness tho cAiol-
ing efforts OF both the NirginiIns whose
plaintivo appeals 20 "ny follow republicans"
and whose illusions 90 "tho great and glorious
republican PARTY" ana the rights Of The col
orcd man." and "a free ballot and a fair
count can be hotter understood by SOUTH
eners than others. Bat all that sort Of talk
took. and it took immensely. Indeed Malone
and Wise are looked upon as heroes who live
in The wilderness Of negro oppression, and
thoy are both doing everything in their power
20 strengthen the impression in tbs hope Of
gaining party prestige.
A BloopN SHIRT sPrFCH.
But the hloodicst Of tho bloody shirt utter
aNCes Of tho day WAS the speech Of Fred
Douglass who was called upon 10 address the
convention. The convention fairly went wild
over the old fellow who so far forgot his own
race as TO 20 TO another for "a ife and who for
this reason is scarcely looked upon with
respect by those OF Ills own color But tho
convention aid not know this, and even If il
did. il did not care, when he proved such an
able ad vocate Of the bloody shirt policy. lie
openly declared that il must DO the policy of
the party, as more than a million negroes was
dislranehised in the south by those who were