REFORMER
work among the heathen at home. The committee represented the more conservative thought.
November 12, 1880, Edward R. Wood gave an elaborate dinner with a public purpose. Those present, as guests, were: Rudolph Blankenburg, an importation from Germany, who had succeeded in business, never able to think with any clearness but impelled by worthy and philanthropic impulses; Charles Wheeler, Franklin A. Dick, Wayne MacVeagh, W. Rotch Wister, Samuel W. Pennypacker, Joseph G. Rosengarten, Hampton L. Carson, Henry Reed, Wharton Barker, Edward T. Steel, E. Dunbar Lockwood, T. Morris Perot and Joseph L. Wilson. The affairs of the city were considered, and as a result of the discussion there was organized a committee of one hundred, which, for the next few years, sat in judgment upon the merits of candidates. Into it four of those present declined to go—Barker, MacVeagh, Carson and myself.
In 1880 Charles S. Wolfe ran as an independent candidate for the State Treasury and polled about forty thousand votes, having the support of the more radical of our constituency. In 1881 Harry W. Oliver, the selection of the stalwarts for United States Senator, failed and, instead, John I. Mitchell of Tioga was elected. This result was due in large part to the energy and efforts of Barker and was a temporary success for the “Half Breeds” whom the death of Garfield had deprived of control. In 1882 came the election of a governor. It became known that Mr. Cameron and the stalwarts had determined upon the nomination of General James A. Beaver, a lawyer and soldier, who had lost a leg during the war. Our committee sent out an address to the people urging the members of the party to go to the primaries and decide for themselves through their delegates who should be the nominee.
Barker called a meeting at his office, which was attended by Senator Mitchell, Charles S. Wolfe, Henry C. Lea, Charles Emory Smith, editor of the Press, who had come
