I then approached Mr. Hanna, who appeared to be surprised that I hesitated about consenting to the use of my name.

“We have you elected,” he said, “by a majority of about thirty-five.  You cannot decline the use of your name, for two reasons; first, since we know we have the votes necessary to elect you, should you now decline the public would never believe otherwise than that you had been improperly influenced.  This you cannot afford.  In the second place, it would not be treating us fairly.  We have selected you in perfect good faith, with the expectation that you would allow your name to be thus used; or, if not, you would have declined in ample time to enable us to reconvene, and select someone else.  To decline now, on the eve of the election, when it is impossible for us to confer and agree upon another man for the position, would be manifestly unfair to us as well as to your own candidate for the Presidential nomination, whose chances may be injuriously affected thereby.”

This argument was both impressive and effective.  I then and there decided to allow my name to be used.  I learned afterwards that it was under the direction and management of Mr. Hanna that the Convention had been so carefully and accurately polled.  That his poll was entirely correct was demonstrated by the result.  This also established the fact that as an organizer Mr. Hanna was a master, which was subsequently proved when he managed Mr. McKinley’s campaign both for the nomination and election to the Presidency in 1896.

When the Convention was called to order, and the announcement was made that the National Committee had selected Hon. Powell Clayton, of Arkansas, for temporary chairman of the Convention, an attractive young man in the Massachusetts delegation was recognized by the chair.  He gave his name, as H.C.  Lodge.  He said he rose to place the name of another gentleman in nomination; and, after making a neat and appropriate speech in commendation of his candidate,—­a speech that created a very favorable impression,—­he named ex-Congressman John R. Lynch, of Mississippi, whom he believed to be a suitable man for the position.  The ball was then opened.  This was an indication of a combination of the field against Blaine.  Many speeches were made on both sides, but they were temperate in tone, and free from bitterness.  Among those that spoke in support of my candidacy were Messrs. Theodore Roosevelt, and Geo. William Curtis, of New York.  When the debate was over the chairman directed that the States be called in alphabetical order,—­the roll of delegates from each State to be called, so as to allow each individual delegate to cast his own vote.  When Mississippi was reached, I joined with H.C.  Powers, the Blaine member of the delegation, in voting for Clayton.  The result was just about what Mr. Hanna said it would be.