Year: 1877

THE COMMITTEE ON CONTESTED SEATS IAkkN


ERON THE CHAIRMAN.


lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE-l


ALB,NY, Oct. 3.-The differences between tnls
convention and the one of last week at Rochester
hardly need be pointed out; they lie as much III the
conduct and character of the delegates as IN the
air,s and purposes of each and the methods by
which they proposed to effect their designs. Ihere
was no question, last week at Rochester, as to who
controlled the convention and its leading and
directing spirit, nor was there any question as to
candidates in the ordinary sense; for there were
really no candidates pressed for the nOmlna-
tons at Rochester. Th re is no question here
about principles platforms. The only issue
is as TO candidates; and as to the other matter
which was a conceded point at Rochester from the
moment the delegates began to assemble-that ls'
who should control the convention and shape ITS
action there, too the fight had to be forced. mat
If was forced vigorously, the report OF the proceed
i,os sufficiently attests Here the delegates come
together with fight already laid out for them and
no business Of any consequence on their hands ex-
cent 70 strip and step into the ring and have 1t ont
Al Rochester the leadership was not in dispute; it
WA, oDlv "a question what the confessed leader would
do with ms own-whether he would ankGonize the
administration in positive and or
would WELD his opportunity with wiser and shrewdcr
forecast and preserve the harmony of the party
bv ignoring differences, and postponing for the
present the day of division. The convention at
Rochester under the inspiration Of It's Senatorial
leader presented the singular spectacle OF repre-
sentative body whose motives ana purposes we're at
war with an Administration of its own choosing.
The convention to-day. II the opening speech OF lis
temporary presiding officer may be taken as a crl-
teiion of its opinions presents spectacle no less
singular. in its willingness TO approve the action ard
.Ir,tr, vim oIa ID
20 ed aud whose title TO Office 1t makes 1t cardinal
feature Of its creed TO dispute.


This convention had blood in its eve from the
start. The meeting of the State Committee did not
SO much develop the quarrel as bring he recognized
champions of opp sing factions face to face They
fought long and bitterly all the preliminary steps
looking to the organization The lines were so care
fully and nicely drawn that there was no question,
however unimp0rtant in appearance in the proceed
ings of the committee that did not evoke partisan
division; none whose significance was not at once
caught up by the most casual spectator of
the contest Tie chief feature of the fight,
the line of division over which most
Of tbe fists were doubled, and the challenge and
defiance exchanged, was the everlasting question Of
Tammany and anti-Tammany, which the NewYork
Democracy forever brings to State conventions;
the source and cause of more profanity. and bias
pheming. and whskcy drinking, than any other one
thing in American politics. There are, of course,
shades Of division and differences upon candidates,
and other matters of minor Importance, but the
chief dispute is now, as always which Of the two
examinations in New-York City is regular and en-
titled to representation in the convention, and by
consequence TO the@lons share of official spoils.
Pursuing the comparison between the two cOnven-
tons il is worthy Of remark that while the people
at Rochester last week, made show OF desire for
harmony, which was embodied in conspicuous
floral legend and in the course of the proceedings,
entered into an animated dispute as to who began
the quarrel by throwing fire-brand into the con-
venton. these people have made no pretence of any
desire for harmony, and. so far from making it a
ouestion who threw the first fre-brand, actually
rushed into the frebTand business at the first oppoT
tunity.


The long fight in the committee, last night settled
nothing The opening of the Convention was the
signal for a fresh outbreak. For wonder, the NOM
lnation of Mr. Hill for Temporary Chairman by
order of the State Committee, was ratified without
dissenting voice although il was supposed by many
that the elements of dscOrd which had been secth-
ing for twenty-four hours would break ont upon the
very initial point Of the proceedings 1t was re-
served for that noble patriot Ar. Augustus Schel,
10 give the first expression TO the beigerent pro-
pensiuos Of the delegates. Being appointed to the
comparatively unlmpOitdnJ POSITION Ol coiuHIittto
TO wait upon the temporary presiding officer and
escort him to the chair, he declined with
q considerable flourish Of tTumpets, upon the
ground that he understood that delegates had been
admitted 10 the floor whose credentials not from
regular organizations and he declined TO take any


part IN the proceedings until his status delegate


should be definitely established. 1t was quite
htle Ourst OF suddenness the part of Mr.. Schel,
ana was received by his admirers and the lammany
party with demonstrations Of applause IL came
back to roOst however, little later when
mischieyous opposition delegate cut him short
in some able remarks by the point of order
that having refused 10 act as a delegate in the dis
charge Of duty assigned him by the convention.
he was not entitled TO the privilege of the floor |
think. moreover. that the good Augustus was trile
disappointed when, after he had declined TO escort
the chairman to his seat he found that his and was
not essential. and the chairman was able tO reach
the platform without his assistance. He looked n
little surprised when be that his refusal to act
On the committee had not had the slightest effect
upon the course of business. and when Mr. Hill went
right On with his opening Speech without 80 much
Is a reference 10 the severe blow that had been
given him, Mr. Schel looked grieved.


Ii was significant Of the temper of the convention
and Of ITS appreciation Of political principles, as
distinguished from its partsanship for organizations
and leaders, that whereas it bowled tumultuousy at
the appearance of Tammany or an snti-Tammany
leader on the floor, like Kelly Morrissey. listened
IN silence, or only with wild applause to the chair
mans expression Of indignation at what be called
hs Presidential fraud. or bis approval Of what he