New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-15
THE "AMERICAN Patty"
DEMOCRATS TRY TO CAPTURE TT.
FAILURE OF AN EFFORT TO FORCE THE INDoRsE
MENT OF HARRISON AND MORTON.


MENT OF HARRISON AND MORTON.
's~ TELEGRAPH TmE rhIpuSE1
Washington, Aug 1.-the first National Conven-
ton Of tho American party' met here to-day. An
attempt to capture in the interest Of the Democrat
party failed signally. The idea to make no
| nominations, but TO indOrse Harrison and Morton,
with the view, Of course, OF aionatng the Irish vote.
This was the plan evidently mapped out By the Ad-
mnisuaton and supported By handsome amounts Of
money. II was strenuously urged upon members Of
the convention by one Liphard. who figures hero
delegate from New York. but who has for years been
employed In the city post Office He n was, his
cusers say, who " sold out' tho organization of the
Democratic party four years ago To-day he
ceeded in making himself particularly obnox TO
the convention lie insisted, for instance, upon hav-
Ing the seventy nine delegates from Ncw-York each
cast VOTE whio the convention for obvious reasons,
considered II more fair TO give vote only to each
STATE He displayed large amount Of money which
no one knows the origin Of, and very lavish with
1t. lie hired the hall In which the convention met and
paid for the services of the Marine band lie also paid
the expenses. IT IS sald Of many Of the delegates at
tending the convention, and urged outsiders to act
as proxies for delegates, Offering In many cases,
what seems hardly 10 have been necessary, substantial
inducements TO them. There were present, too, dur
Ing the day persons who under ordinary circumstances
are seen only around the White House. Mere curl
osty could not possibly have drawn them hher. They
great many members Of the American party
who under consideration would permit themselves
TO become the tools Of Democratic rlcksters. 1t IS
fair to assume that, though misguided, they arc
ignorant of the designs of the Administration. They
cannot hereafter however, plead ignorance II they
lend themselves to such dsreputabc plans as the
indicated, for instance. The organization is largely
drawn from Republican ranks that conceded.
1t is particularly strong IN New.York California and
Indiana Under the direction Of Mr. German It has
been carefully nursed anI kept alive In those States
The money distributed to-day IS Democratic money
and the expenses Of the convention met by Demo
cratic leaders II the party can be kept on its legs
until after election, IT will make heavy nroads upon
the Republican vote. That at least is the calculation
OF Messrs. Gorman Brice and Other Democrats.
Tonight IL seems sim uncertain what tho conven- !
ton VIII do The heelcrs Of the Administration CON
tnue TO urge the Endorsement Of Harrison and Norton
while the moro conservative members OF the party |
In favor Of adjournlng after adopting platform |
Of principles without nominating candidates and with |
out indorsng either the Republican the Democratic
ticket strong majority counsel the placing In |
the field OF regular ticket A. :. Hewitt rs their first
choice, but he has declined in advance they seem
to favor the nomination OF j. Lang ion Curtis, Of New
York
On calling the convention to order after recess the
chairman announced as tho Committee Credentials
Jerome b. Burke, District Of Columbia; A. Is. Chase.
n d j. !
York; H. X. Hntz, Virginia; DR.. A. r. Ieek, Penn
IylvanIa; and Z. N. Wilson, California. Each State
delegation present asked bS the chairman to name
q member OF the National Committee at tomorrow's
ession 1t was nearly O'Clock when the Committee
Credentials appeared and the convention called
o order. Tho committee reported that there
&c delegates bearing proper credentials. Tho Nc
ort adopted OF tho delegates present sixty
even were from New-York, fifteen from California
even each from Illinois and NewJerscy, five each ,
rom Maryland and Massachusetts, four from Penn ,
yvana, three from Virginia, two each from Maine, ,
Minnesota and the District Of Columbia and each
rom Alabama Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi South
arona and Vermont.
The pending notion allowing each Congressional dis
rlc In the several States ard Territories represented
the convention vote, and two at large, to be d
by the delegations present called up and dis
aIsed at length. Mr. Llphard opposed tho motion.
10 declared hat his delegation mads up OF Ameri
and that they in favor OF nominating tickot
nd fighting for II from the start His State Lad sent
large delegation to this convention because more than
ny one else they had and suffered from the evils
hch tho American party was pledged to correct
ew-Y York City, he said, dominated and controlled n
Irish Catholics OF foreign birth He called upon all "
bod Americans TO lend hand and help rid this State
nd every other state nom the oppressive evils Of !
immigration. ~,
A. S Tharn. OF Charleston, S. c. favored the motion
General HaWley, OF Chicago, denounced In enlphatlc
nguagc the declared purpose OF the Eew-York and
tfornia delegations TO act In concert and run the .
invention to suit themselves. -,
Delegate Tharn, Of south Carolina, finally obtained -
cOgnitlon and moved that the question be referred -
Q Committee on Platform and Resolutions. when ap- ..
inted The motion adopted g..
Committee Platform and Resolutions also -
pointed. as follows J. VI. Bassett Of California.
airnan; a. J. Boyer, Of Maryland J. NJ Munyon. Of -
nnylyana; Thompson. Of Illinois Charles f. hs
,as, of Massachusetts, s. F.. Church OF New York -
I'm Wedderhurn, VI Virginia; Il. II. Roberts OF be
uisians r. w. Reuter- of Florida A. j. Simmons. OF -
line: & 4; Moss, OF Vermont: l. sharp, OF Kansas pc
cIge n. Proper, Of Minnesota; J. W. Gallup, OF th
arm. OF South Carolina r. Trcmly. Of tho District ca
Columbia Lee Crandall. OF Alabama. and +. d. ad
ker, OF Delaware. no
The convention then adjourned until 10 o'clock to-
rrow morning.