The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1892-06-17
uproar, stimulating it to an even more
boisterous expression.


~
Another peculiar feature of the South
Dakota situation was the large number
of federal of1iceholders who were on the
ground opposed to the Presidents re-
nomination and yet unable to give any
valid reason for their opposition. No
one can question the right of these off
cials to take a position independent of
their personal obligations: in fact, it
would be to their credit to do so pro-
vided they knew why they did it, or
could make it clear to their friends. So
far the necessary light has not been
shed, but it may come later.
*.*
The South Dakota situation at Min
neapolis developed some peculiar fea-
lures. While there had been q great
deal of loose talk beforehand that a
majority of the delegates would violate
their instructions if Blaine were can
didate, it was hard for the South Dako-
tans on the ground to believe it. But
it did not take great while to ascertain
that three and possibly four Of the eight
stood ready to break away at the first
opportunity, giving as their justifica-
tion tho reason that there had been a
change of sentiment in the state since
the Chamberlain convention.
xx*
There have been far more exciting
national conventions in the matter of
long drawn out balloting and clever po-
litical combinations, but for an occasion
where the lines were SO clearly drawn
from the start there were a great many
striking and dramatic incidents.
~
The earliest of these was the speech
of Temporary Chairman Fassett of New
York, a former federal officeholder and
a defeated candidate for governor of
New York, and at this time recognized
as stalwart opponent of the admins
tration under the absolute control of
Tom Platt, the celebrated boss of the
empire state,-whose bossism has re-
duced Republican majorities and an oc-
casional singing defeat as it's chief tro-
phies.
~
Fassett lad been selected by the na-
tional committee, a majority of whose
members were actively opposing Mr..
Harrison, but the friends OF the latter
wisely avoided any contest oyer the Sc
lection, preferring to waive all minor
points and reserve their strength for
the critical jupcture which was sure to
follow. The nature of his speech was
eloquent, stirring and withal concilia-
tory: in other words, very smooth, cul-
minating most dramatically in the way
in which he coupled the names of Har-
rison and Blaine, pronouncing them al
most in the same breath, and leaving
no opportunity for invidious discrimina-
tion in the matter of applause. This
was one of the most striking incidents
in the convention and did much to allay
beforehand any bitterness that might
develop.
~
Outside the convention Mckinley
was the observed of all observers, and
after his action during the decisive roll
call when he challenged the correctness
of Ohio's ballot and demanded the right
to vote, casting the only vote for Harri
son from that state, the remark was
made thousand times if it was once:
''There is the Republican nominee for
1885,"
~
Perhaps the central figure, all things
considered, during the entire gathering
was that of the Napoleonic Mckinley.
Several facts conspired to give him
prominence. He is the father of the
greatest economic measure OF the past
forty years, a measure which is at once
the dread and the derision OF the Demo
cratic party, while it is proving more
and more a tower Of strength to Repub
licanism: he was the only man in the
convention who was seriously consider
ed as dark horse from the first: an6
his position as permanent chairman
kept him before the eye of the assem-
bled multitude in position where hi.
opportunity for making friends by hi
eminent fairness was almost as great al
his danger of making some serious mis-
take, which would not only iniure hi
fair fame but bring irretrievable disas
ter on his party.
*x#
AS permanent chairman by unani
nous consent of all factions, Gov. Nc
, i{inley won fresh laurels, not only b,
} the happy speech with which he tool
: the chair but by his cool, clearheaaet
: and absolutely impartial discharge 0
the onerous duties Of the position
There were several critical ]unctures il
=