The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-01-09
NOW M'CULLAGH WON
,,..rrv of Wilson'S Nomtnn-
Ie ,,u..;.,.,t In 1872.

,,..,.v of wilson's NOminn-
i"e r.r vice President In 1877.
~, YORK January 4.-One OF the pest
-. NJ the late Joseph b. McCullagh
.,s own account of how he prevented tho
arr,,a,ion of Schuyler Colfax for vice
leident in 1879
Mr. McCullagh described the event,
fax had treated the newspaper repre-
,,,ivss who had legitimate business
h him In Washington very stability, and
,s nreparod the way for hostile dem
,ra,ion on their part. Mr. McCuliagh
l. nm the cause of the Washington cor
nondents. and at the Philadelphia con-
.,on was chosen to lead their move
Mt against Colfax.
me first step was to secure rival cam
ate on whom to concentrate their ia
able work AT council Of war held
before the convention opened. Henry
lson was chosen. McCullagh then went
John W. Forney. the editor of the
|iladelphla Press, and said:
we want you TO help us beat Col
But." protested Mr.. Forney, ~ have
bmised Mr.. Colfax that ] would bring
| press out in his favor. | am not par
,,larly Colfax man, but | must keep
\ word.
EWell." said McCulagh. will you let
run the political matter in your news
3umns? You boom Collar editorislly. and
will quietly attend to our man through
rest of the paper"
"a tn tl,ig
III applied himself to work on the local
4 telegraph pages OF the Press. Every
Srning the paper appeared with an odi-
<ial leader In favor of Colfax. while else
Mere were published special kilograms
I'm all over the country. describing en-
3isastic feeling in favor of Henry Will
a for the vice presidency. The local
1unns made the most OF every Wilson
kefcr,Nce expressed by arriving dele
Res Il, the hotels and elsewhere, and
fre were reports of railway trains having
tn poled and indicating an oyerwhelm-
! desire for Wilson's nomination. All
S had vastly greater influence upon
\ public mind than Forneys editorial
.negyrics.
bust at the right iuncture McCulagh
ked up an old letter that Colfax had
iten to the New York Tribune In 1869,
ncuncing that at the completion Of his
hiding official term he would not BIZ
hdidate for denomination, it being his
termination TO retire permanently from
ttical life. This letter was written at
time when the war upon Grant was at
| height. and McCulagh shrewdly real
td that ii would he accepted by the
begates to Philadelphia as Colfaxs pub
reputation OF Grant and his admin
Irlft lDce hu ttrn hon h., Lot
was in type and was circulated by
BANS Of hand bills all over philadelphia.
this way the impression was created
bt in the very midst of General Grants
TEST troubles his lieutenant had volun-
lilly assisted in the conspiracy to kill
ln. II had its effect SO. when the con-
ntion met. ColfaX's hold was thoroughly
Settled. The first ballot for vice presi-
hi resulted in stand off between Col
and Wilson. some Southern States
wing thrown idle complimentary votes
McCullagh stood on the platform near
; presiding officers desk. He knew there
S likely to be stampede and that If
: States were recognized In alphabetical
Ter Wilson might yet be slaughtered.
mpeders invariably go as they are led,
d Alabama was liable to change to
lfaX.
Alabama was already on her feet, clam
Ing for recognition.
Recognize Virginia. whispered Mccall
sh to Judge Settle, president of the
INVENTION, and Judge Settle did so.
Virginia changed hcr vote from Colfax
Wilson. as had been arranged in ad-
nee. That started hurrah. and the
impede was turned the way McCullagh
lnted.
Colfax's private secretary stood just be-
nd McCullagh at that moment. When
rgina announced her change McCullagh
rned and said:
You may 20 and tell ColfaX he Is beat
, and that the newspaper men did It,"
This performance McCullaGh always re-
rdod as one OF the cieverest political
okcs he had ever made.