his chair and said the question could not be answered in one word, but he would be most happy to respond if he could be allowed a little time in which to do so. "California selected her delegates to this convention by the vote of each district represented here; their appointment was confirmed by the State Convention, and that in order that there should be no mistake about it, the State Convention had then, with perfect unanimity, instructed the delegates to vote first, last and all the time, for the distinguished senator from Maine."

These last words proved the spark that had all along been wanted to fire the train of dry Blaine powder within Exposition Hall. His name acted like an electric flash, and there followed Mr. Haymond's allusion to the Maine senator such a scene of excitement as has rarely been witnessed in a political convention within the United States. Three-fourths of the immense throng in the galleries and on the floor outside of the space allotted to delegates, and fully one-half of the delegates themselves, sprang to their feet, cheering, shouting, waving hats, handkerchiefs, umbrellas, for the space of several minutes, before any attempt at restoring order could make the least impression on the excited mass.

Subsequently the time allotted to the Illinois case was limited to an hour on each side, and Mr. Conger opened the debate in favor of the majority report, which he said asserted, confirmed and es

tablished in that convention the rule that had prevailed in Illinois from the birth of the Republican party down to the present time, the rule of district representation. Mr. Raum replied for the sitting delegates, but had no adequate arguments against Mr. Conger's facts. Eliott Anthony spoke for the opposition, and was succeeded by Mr. Storrs, of Illinois, who made a speech, the principal effect of which was to cause wild bursts of applause for Blaine and Grant. The sentence, "Nominate James G. Blaine if you will," was the signal for another grand outburst of applause, which was renewed and intensified when he finished the sentence thus: "And then those who now shout in the galleries shall by and by be reposing under the influence of the summer sun; but the followers of the grand old silent soldier will still be found wide awake and watching by their camp-fires and carrying the banners of the sluggards."

The scene which followed and continued for several minutes was most exciting, the uproar dying away, then breaking out again many times, a perfect epidemic of cheers. What came next was thus described by a correspondent:

"Mr. Conkling was conspicuous in leading the chorus, first by waving his handkerchief and later by standing on his chair and waving the illuminated little banner placed to designate the seats of the New York delegation. Finally some one started the campaign songs: 'We'll Rally 'Round

the Flag, Boys, Shouting the Battle-cry of Freedom,' and 'Marching through Georgia.'

"At this time nearly every person within the hall was on his feet, each cheering for his own favorite. Flags, shawls, parasols, hats and all other movable things within reach were swung furiously to and fro. Bob Ingersoll, seizing a lady's shawl, waved it frantically from the platform. In the centre of the stage, just back of the chair, a fine-looking lady, with a flag in one hand and parasol in the other, swung them to and fro and repeated time and again, Hurrah for Blaine !' She appeared to be in company with Governor Jewell, of Connecticut. Finally, she obtained two flags, and with one in each hand continued her enthusiastic efforts as long as the uproar lasted. It may safely be said that no public assemblage ever before witnessed such a scene. People seemed actually to have lost their senses in the giddy whirl."

For half an hour this continued before the chair made any effort to control the members. The Illinois cases were then disposed of in favor of the majority, and, worn out with excitement, the convention shortly after adjourned to Saturday morning.

CHAPTER XXX.

THE THUNDERS OF ORATORY.

HE weather, which till now had been auspicious, changed its mood with the dawn

TH

of the fourth day of the great battle, and those who left their hotels and homes for Exposition Hall had to face inclemency. Inside the Hall, however, there was but little change. A distinguished editor, writing home to his paper, thus described the opening on June 5th:

"Cameron looked freshest of all the chief gladiators. He wasted none of his vitality in oratory, and his energies had not been lavishly taxed, like those of Logan, Conger and others. He flitted about on the platform before the convention opened, visibly anxious, but calm and imperturbable as ever. When the call to arms rang out from the chair, he hastened down to his command, where the Grant leaders were admirably posted. Cameron, with his Pennsylvania phalanx, shattered, but yet defiant, was in the centre of the western block of the convention; Conkling, with his better-preserved New York corps, in the centre of the field, with Boutwell and his few Massachusetts followers, and with Creswell and his cunningly broken Blaine column of Maryland, and

his dozen of Ohio Grant men, forming a semi-circle in the rear of the undisputed third-term chief on the eastern block. Within easy call of Alabama and Arkansas was the clouded face and burly form of Logan. A brood of strangers sat with him in his own delegation, whom he had rejected at Springfield; but he was their oracle nevertheless, although he made discord in the Grant melody that so uniformly came from Illinois when the roll-call was ordered. Logan was early at his place; his dark face was darker than ever, and the nervous twitching of the right arm that he swings so violently in debate told that he was impatient for the final charge. His hand was jammed into his wealth of Indian locks every few moments and then would drop from force of habit to adjust the right lapel of his coat. Creswell came in as serene as if a Grant victory were gained; but Boutwell betrayed the harassing conflict going on between his hopes and fears. He has outgrown his amiability with departing powers, and he is not vested with a command in critical emergencies. Taft sat complacently between the Sherman and Garfield expectants, patiently waiting for the hour when he could take a third or more of his delegation to his old commander.

"Conkling awaited, as is his custom, until the ten thousand people had come and got clearly seated, and then he strode down the centre aisle