of contest the
just bounds of authority might be overstepped. Happily the points in
dispute were satisfactorily adjusted through frank conference and a
common understanding. Senator Hoar of Massachusetts, in whose fairness
and ability both sides had full confidence, was accepted by common
consent for temporary chairman, and the Convention was organized
without any conflict. In calling the vast assembly to order as
chairman of the National Committee, Senator Cameron bespoke a friendly
spirit; and the speech of Senator Hoar, on taking the chair, was a
compact and forcible contrast of the career and record of the two
great parties of the country. With the appointment of the committees
necessary to complete the organization, the first day of the Convention
closed.

The delegations from the respective States named their own members of
the several committees, and their composition and votes upon these
questions indicated the division of the States upon the main issue.
In the Committee on Credentials Mr. Conger, supported by the anti-Grant
members, was chosen chairman by a vote of 29 to 11 for Mr. Tracy of
New York. In the Committee on Permanent Organization, Senator Hoar had
31 votes for permanent President, against 9 for Mr. Creswell of
Maryland. The Committee on Rules made General Garfield chairman. It
was known that apart from the balloting for President, the great
struggle would come in the Committee on Credentials, and upon its
report when made to the Convention. The Committee had several contests
to deal with besides the important Illinois case. The examination of
these cases consumed two days, and meanwhile the Convention could do
little beyond completing the formalities. It converted the temporary
into the permanent organization, and on the evening of the second day,
the Committee on Credentials being still at work, Mr. Henderson of
Iowa moved that the Committee on Rules be requested to report. An
extended and spirited debate ensued, the one side contending for
immediate action and the other for delay. General Sharpe of New York
offered a substitute that the Committee on Credentials be ordered to
report. The substitute was lost by 318 _ayes_ to 406 _noes_, and the
vote was regarded as a measurably fair test of the relative strength
of the Grant and anti-Grant forces. On the call of the roll the full
vote of Alabama was announced for the substitute. One of the delegates
protested that he desired his vot