Chicago At 12
Meridian the Convention assembled at the wigwam near Lake Street bridge, and
were called to order by Gov Morgan1 of New York, who is
Chairman of the National Central Committee David Willmot2 of Pa:
was appointed temporary Chairman He is a dull, chuckel headed, Chicago booby
looking man, and makes a very poor presiding officer. After appointing
Committees with a view to permanent organization adjourned till 5 P. M. at
which time we again assembled, when Mr Ashman3 was elected
President of the Convention. I was designated by our delegation as
Vice President for Illinois, but declined, and Judge Davis was appointed in my
place. After appointing some additional Committees we adjourned till 10 O'clock
tomorrow morning
_______________
1 Edwin D. Morgan, 1811-1883. Chairman of the Republican National Committee, 1856-1864; governor of New York, 1859-1862; major general of volunteers; United States senator, 1863-1869.
2 David Wilmot, 1814-1868. Representative from Pennsylvania, 29th, 30th, 31st congresses; United States senator, 1861-1863; author of the Wilmot Proviso.
3 George Ashmun, 1804-1870, of Springfield, Massachusetts, member of Congress from 1845 to 1851.
SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 407
