Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-11

FAlhbANhbs IAtTs
Cincinnati entertained the convention
of 1876. Theodore NJ. Pomeroy Of New
York presided temporarily, yielding the
gavel to Edward Mcpherson of Penn
sylvania, permanent chairman. The
Exposition building was the scene of
the gathering. The convention met
June IA. Rutherford B. Hayes of Ohio
was the nominee for president, and
William A. Wheeler Of New York was
named for vice president. The Demo
Gratis nominated Samuel j. Tilden Of
New York and Thomas A. Hendricks
of Indiana. So close was the election
that the famous electoral commission
of fifteen men was created to deter
mine the issue. The commission de-
clared the election of Hayes and
Wheeler by majority Of one electoral
vote. In the convention James G..
Blaine of Maine was prominent can
didate. being placed before the house
by Colonel Robert G. Ingersoll of Illi-
nois, who made on that occasion the
celebrated "Plumed Knight speech.
In referring to speech of Blaine's in
the house Of representatives Colonel
Ingersoll said, Like all armed war
rior, like a plumed knight, James G.
Blaine marched down the halls of the
American congress and threw his shin
ing lance full and fair against the bra
zen forehead of every defamer Of this
country and maligner Of its honor"
In 1880 the Republicans met in Chi
cago, in the Exposition building, de
scribed by one correspondent as zone
of the most splendid barns that were
ever constructed" Ex-President Grant
who had been out of office one term,
was made the issue Of this convention.
A strong following proposed to make
him again the candidate, but the op-
ponents of third term were still
stronger.
Roscoe Conkling Of New York placed
Grant in nomination. Conkling was
described by one who saw him in this
convention as man who "has the
physique of a gladiator and the man,
ner of a man who would enjoy being
king" Garfield nominated John
Sherman of Ohio. James E. Joy of
Michigan made the nominating speech
for Blaine. calling him James II. in.
stead Of James G. Nevertheless there
was half an hours cheering for the
''Plumed Knight" Colonel Ingersoll
on the platform, snatched shawl from
a lady's shoulders and Joined ir
the enthusiasm. A deadlock between
Grant and Blaine resulted in the nomi
nation of dark horse, Garfield. Fol
vice president Chester Alan Arthur Of
New York was nominated
In the convention Of 1884 at Chicago
appeared as delegate from New York
a young man of twenty-six years who
was destined to become foremost fig
ure in Republican councils. His name
was Theodore Roosevelt. He came ii
| wearing a straw hat and looking boy
| ish, according to one of the New Yorl
| newspaper correspondents, who thus
| described him further: "Theodor
Roosevelt, sitting by George William
Curtis, also made a speech, showins
himself for the first time to the west
ern people and being somewhat cheered
His square head, matted with short
dry sandy hair, and his eyeglasses ant
nervously forcible gestures were re
| marked
Young Mr.. Roosevelt's speech was il
favor of the selection Of John T
Lynch, the first negro ever selected
preside over a national convention q
temporary chairman.
The nominees Of this conventic
were James G. Blaine of Maine fe
president and John A. Logan Of III
nois for vice president.
i At the convention of 1888 in Oh
cago Chauncey NJ. Depew was Leaf
i ing candidate. John Sherman ar
Blaine were also far to the frol
in the running. Colonel Ingersoll ws
there, but he was strongly opposed
the nomination of his ''Plumed knight
Blaine was travelling in Europe at Il
time. Ingersoll favored Judge Walt,
O. Gresham "of Indiana and Illinois
John Sherman led on the first al
second ballots. Depew, who rs
fourth, then withdrew. One delega
voted for Mckinley, who arose al
declared that he was for John She
man and could not permit his name
go before the convention. After
!, struggle lasting six days Depew's Ne
/ York strength was thrown to Benz
) min Harrison, who received the mol
], ination for president with Levi
II Morton Of New York as the vice pre-!
dental nominee.