The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-17
REPUBLICAN CONVENTIONS.
Strain and Excitement That Charac-
terixed Some of Them.
Chicago Tribune.

Chicago Tribune
The Republican convention of 1850 was
memorable from start to finish. But in
that the contest was between the candi-
dates for the presidential nomination, and
the bitter fight on the unit rule In con-
vention the struggle was between political
giants, but this was kept within bounds
by. a skilled parliamentarian In the chair.
Between sessions. however, beclam
reigned. day and night. and the scenes in
the sweltering corridors of the Chicago
hotels will never be forgotten by those
who saw them. Only old politicians ac-
customed to such contests understood that
after it was all over party harmony would
result. The novice could not understand
how the breaches would ever be healed.
The convention lasted over Sunday, and
Chicago never witnessed a more exciting
Sunday than that which preceded the NOM
inatfon OF Garfield. Conkling, always inn
perturbed on the surface at least, was
heard to say that he had never known
party spirit to be at such heat.
1t was not generally known, but the po-
lice force was kept at the station all day
and all night prepared for hurry calls.
and well-known politician of Chicago.
afterwards United States senator, con-
ferred with the Governor about calling out
the State Guard-at least IL was so re-
ported.
Of Conkling. In which he placed Grant in
nomination. was evidence of the remark
able tension of the public mind. Ii excited
such comment that prominent physicians
were interviewed on the extent TO which
men could be swayed before reaching nerv-
Gus prostFation.
In 1884 in the same city there was an
other season OF political excitement, but
in this instance IL did not affect the lobby
as IL did the convention itself This was
the convention in which Blaine was NOM
mated, and from which no less a person
than George William Curtis. a delegate,
withdrew from the convention
In 1888 Indiana again exhibited its po-
litical tendency and purpose, but this time
in Republican convention, which also met
in Chicago There had been an absence OF
the customary street and hotel corridor ex-
element until number of clubs from In
diana with log-cabn and coonskin devices
appeared with the Harrison BOOM These
clubs took possession of the town, ard from
the day of their arrival until their candidate
was nominated the man who opposed Har-
rison had little show of hearing.
But in the convention four years later at
Minneapolis, in which Harrison was renom-
mated. the rivalry between the Presidents
followers and those of Blaine reached an
intensity which almost equaled that OF 1850.
The friends of the Plumed knight had gone
to Minneapolis for death struggle. Every
political expedient known 10 skillfui organ
ization was well in hand. The sudden
resignation of Blaine from Harrison's Cabi-
net on the eve of the convention added an
element of the situation which made IL so
personal in some instances that men came
TO blows in the hotels.
The night before the nomination the Har-
rison forces took possession of the corridors
and office of the Hotel West for the purpose
OF final rally. The Blaine club fell In,
marched to the hotel. and tried to get pos
session. The police were either powerless
to act or were Indifferent. But the struggle
continued all night The crush was such
that men could stand shoulder TO shoulder
only and shout and exchange invectives.
Now and then Blaine club formed a
wedge and tried to force passage, but Ii
was like butting stone wall. The rival
speakers stood the lower steps OF the
grand stairway and spoke at the same time
except as the opponents OF one side dragged
him down. This was followed by a similar
movement by the other faction and
continued until daylight, when the rivals
quit from sheer exhaustion