The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-03-01
REPUBLICAN CLUBS.
Preliminary Business Before the Convention
Of the National League at Baltimore.

BALTIMORE, Feb. 28-When President
James P. Foster called the convention of
the National League of Republican Clubs
to order, shortly after noon to-day, there
was goodly attendance of delegates, and
Fords Opera-house presented gala ap-
pearance. The house was elaborately dec
grated with the national colors, and the
fronts of the two galleries were hung with
gonfalons, each bearing the coat-0f-arms of
State, those of the newly admitted States
being conspicuous. The galleries and boxes
were filed with lookers-on. while the main
floor was reserved for delegates and alter
mates. The gavel fell at 1885 p. NJ, and the
convention was opened with short prayer
by Rev. Alex. T. Proudiit, who invoked the
divine blessing on the outgoing as well as
the incoming President of the United
States.
President Foster briefly stated the rea-
son for the holding of the convention at
this time, and congratulated the league on
the result of its work last fall He spoke of
the rapid growth or the league since it's
organization and said that at the head OF
the inaugural parade, on Monday next;
would be found q banner on which would
be emblazoned the crest of the National
League of Republican Clubs. He compli-
mented the clubs of Maryland on their
work, as evidenced by the additional Re-
publican Congressmen credited to that
State. he gave statistics showing the phe-
nOmenal growth of the league from 400
clubs at Chckering Hall, in December,
1887. to over 1900 clubs at the present con-
ventiOn. The spirit of harmony that has
pervaded the work of the party since the
Chicago convention, he said, was creditable
m M .
much of President-elect Harrison's success
was due. He congratulated the Republican
party on the admission of the four new
States. claiming that they belonged in the
there when needed. An allusion to Hon.
James G. Blaine as the next Secretary of
State was greeted with an outburst
of enthusiastic cheering. President
Foster thanked the league for its
considerate treatment of him during
lay down the gavel, feeling confident that
the league was about to enter on q glorious
career of usefulness.
The roll-call was answered by nearly two
North Dakota. South Dakota, Washington
and New Mexico were greeted with ap-
plause as they arose to answer their names.
Committees on credentials and resolutions
each consisting of one delegate from each
after considerable debate the convention
voted ttat all resolutions after being
read, shall be referred to the committee OF
resolutions without debate. The conven.
ton then adjourned till 10 o'clock to-mor
row.
Tonight there was largely attended
mass meeting at Oratorio Hall. Most of tho
prominent delegates to the convention were
present. There was speech by Hon. A. l.
Morrison, of New Mexico, who defended
that Territory from the charge of being un
fit to become State, that has been made
by some newspapers, and protested against
his people being classed with the Mormon
population of Utah. He said that New
Mexico would soon ask admission to the
sisterhood of States. and pledged himself
that when she was she would come in as
Republican State and be a credit to Amer
lea. Hon. A.. j. Lester, of Illinois, an(
Judge John NJ. Thurston, of Nebraska, alst
spoke.