Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-10
TALK OF THE TIMES.

THE defeat of Mr.. Blaine in 1876 when he
was first a candidate for the Presidency was
largely due to Pennsylvania influences.
II Mr.. Blaine be nominated by the conven-
tfon at Minneapolis 1t will also be through
the influence of Pennsylvania, which has
led the Blaine movement this year.
In 1876 John F. Hartranrt was the nominal
candidate of this State for the Presidency.
The men who were chiefly in control of
Republican politics of the Commonwealth at
that time were the Camerons, father and
son, Bob Mackey and M. S. Quay, Mackey
being the man who marched with the flag at
the head of the procession and told the
band when and what to play.
Allegheny county's delegates were Messrs.
Magee and John II. Hampton. The latter
was pronounced friend of Blaine having
been his schoolmate and classmate at
Washington and Jefferson College and one
of the assisting friends of the marriage Of
Mr. Blaine in Pittsburg. Before his election
Mr. Hampton told the Hartranft leaders that
he would vote for the Governor as long as
there seemed to be hope Of his nomination,
then he desired to vote for Blaine. The
answer from the managers of the delegation
was that nearly every man in 1t was for
Blaine for second choice; and when the time
came they would go to him.
At that time the delegates from the dis.
trict, as well as those at large. were all
elected by the State Convention. There @
and the big four at large were J. Donald
Cameron, Robert W. Mackey, Henry NJ.
Hovt and Henry W. Oliver.
The convention which elected this delega-
tion instructed them to act under the unit
rule on all questions and on all ballots.
Don Cameron was Chairman of the delega-
tion and William II. Kemble was Secretary.
APRoPos of this there was very anus
~.1ro So &1,, r,f tTo
delegation in Cincinnati Mr.. Kemblc
on looking at the seats assigned to the
Pennsylvania delegation was disgusted to
find that they were stuck way off in q corner
in section @ or X, or something like that
toward the end OF the alphabet He grew
very wrothy and excited, and told the mem-
bers of the delegation who stood about him
that he would soon settle the man who had
charge of arragements. This man happened
to be William E. Chandler, who was equip
ped with refrigerator and twin-screw
nerve. He represented the National Com
mittee and had been considerably badgered
by complaining chafrmen and deleIatlons,
and was not in a good humor when kemble
arrived, and in addition vas busy writing an
important letter.
''SEE here. Chandler" said Kemble, edo
you mean to say that this is the best you can
do for the great Republican State OF Penn
sylvania in the way of seats?"
"Thar's the best replied Chandler, tartly.
"But see here
There's no butts in 1t. That's all we can
DOR
"Well, then, I'll be blanketty blanked If
you can't take the blanketty blanked tickets
and keep them" shouted Kemble and threw
the tickets on the table before Chandler.
That gentleman gathered up the tickets,
put them into a drawer, lock ked 1t and put
O: any sort-and then resumed his writing.
Kemble was cooled down. instantly by
Chandlers grim, suggestive course Of pro
cedure, and after gazing at him in blank
disgust for moment, he began on new
tack
"Say, Chandler, IL that's really the best
You can do, suppose we will have to Keep
Cant get them now" said Chandler, with
out looking up from his letter.
"Can't-why not?''
49, -"l've made other arrangements and those
tickets are promised"
And that was all Kemble could get out of |
the redoubtable "Dill." He returned with |
meek manner to the delegation, and when |
they gathered around him ne told the story, |
and adued: "Boys, I've spilled the gravy in |
the fire. and If you want tickets to get into |
the convention with. you'll nave to go and
get them yourselves. 1 can't bulge that |
fellow; he's as hard as pile of pig iron."
And finally Don Cameron had to go and |
matters out before single ticket |
could be obtained from Chandler.
delegation voted sol1dly for |
On the seN enth ballot Hampton |
and the other leading Blaine men, among |
whom was Kemble, declared that they |
meant to abandon Hartranft on the next |
ballot and go to Blaine. They we're asked to !
wait and were told the whole delegation |
would go, but they refused and the break |
began on that ballot, although at that time |
Hartranft was stronger than Hayes in
votes.
In the split that ensued the bulk of the |
about 81 of them. clung to Hart |
ranft and "a went to Blaine. On the |
last ballot the Hartranft men, then reduced |
to some % or So went to Hayes. Men who |
were in that part of the delegation |
have said since that the tactics OF the Blaine |
men angered them to such an extent that |
they did not carry out their own former de- |
sires. 1t was the Pennsylvania vote that
Hayes and this series of un-
lucky incidents was brought to a close in /
matter little foreseen and not particularly |
desired.
Mr. Quay, who was not member of that
delega tion, was then a Hartranft man, and
so were Cameron and Oliver The first two
are now for Blaine and the third is for Sher-
man. Kemble. Mackey and Hampton are
dead and Mas ee is again against Blaine.
A BRIGHT looking newsboy entered
street car yesterday. crying: "An about the
"Where's the calamity?" asked
nervous looking old man. cat Minneapo- |