But the majority of the National Committee, of which Cameron
was Chairman, was opposed to Grant. They met, I think, the
day before the meeting of the convention to make the preliminary
arrangements. Mr. Cameron, the Chairman, was asked whether
it was his purpose to carry out the scheme I have indicated.
He refused to answer. A motion was then made that the Chairman,
after calling the convention to order, be instructed to receive
the vote of the individual delegates without regard to the
instruction of the majority of their delegation. Cameron
refused to receive motions on that question, saying that it
was a matter beyond the jurisdiction of the committee. A
large part of the entire day was spent in various attempts
to induce Cameron either to give a pledge or permit a resolution
to be entertained by the committee, instructing him as to
his action. He was supported by Mr. Gorham, of California,
who I believe was not a member of the committee, but was
present either as Secretary or as _Amicus Curiae_. He was
an experienced parliamentarian, and for a long time had been
Secretary of the Senate of the United States.
Pages:
670
671
672
673
674
675
676
677
678
679
680
681
682
683
684
685
686
687
688
689
690
691
692
693
694