The voting was then resumed, and the nineteenth and twentieth ballots showed a slight loss for Hancock, and a corresponding gain for Hendricks.

On the twenty-first ballot Hancock had 135-1/2, and Hendricks 132; with 48-1/2 divided among minor candidates.

At this point the Ohio delegation, having been absent in conference, entered the hall, and amid a hush of expectation and interest proposed the name of Horatio Seymour.

Mr.
Seymour had been frequently mentioned, and would have been formidable from the first if he had permitted the use of his name, but he had invariably met the proposition with the answer that he could under no circumstances become a candidate.

He now repeated this statement from the chair, but Ohio insisted and New York assented.