New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-01-30
Senator COaIsIing's Eirst (,an.c.:.

The Albany correspondent of the New
| \ DIRK Commercial Adre,tiser writes under date
of the 2lst, the following concerning Senate,
Conkling's first contest for the Senate 1t i,
six years ago since Mr.. Conkling passed
through the sharp contest for Seuator and
won the fight by a scratch. The scene in the
| caucus the night he was nominated will be 4
memorable one in the political history of the
State. His opponents wero Ira Harris and
Noah Davis, the judge now presiding in oyer
and terniner trying Tweed. Mr.. Harris was
the Senator, and expected q reelection. His
claims were pressed with vigor by his brother,
Hamilton Harris, then chairman Of the Re-
publican State central committee. He had
relied on Fenton's cooperation, but that
willy politician saw that Harris had lost caste
with his party, and of course deserted him.
He desired, above all things, to beat Conk-
ling, and he, with A. ID. Barbor. Ben. Field.
Gen. Merritt and William Richardson, OF
Brooklyn, organized a formidable force. The
whole power of the Executive was brought
to bear. inducements were held out to "city
railroad jobbers,' who contributed an infitl-
enco always potent with trading legislators.
Tho present Senator Madden, then an out
slider, but an enthusiastic admlrer Of Mr.. Conk-
ling, Ward Hunt, the successor of Chief JUS
tice Nelson, and Richard Franchot, an ex-
Conkling side. Madden is the most sleepless
untirinS worker i ever knew in any cause.
To him is Conklins more indebted for his
success than to any other man. On the night
of tho caucus the executive chamber was the
headquarters for the Davis party. Fenton
occupied the executive chair, surrounded by
his generals and his Orderlies. They were
confident of success, and staked large amounts
on tho result. The late Captain Myers. OF
Syracuse, a noble man, and warm friend o!
Conklng, was the largest winner.
The Republican members of both houses
met in tho Assembly chamber at O'Clock.
The excitement called together great crowd
and the halls and corridors of the capitol
were illled to OVERLOOKING. The caucus or
ganizsd, and the roll of members being called
the body proceeded to vote, after the eloquent
| speeches in favor of the candidates. Tie
First informal vote showed Conkiing and
DAVIS and Harris to be about neck-and-nec!s
Inc second vote exhibited about the same
result, with An increased vote for Conklinc
and Davis, and Harris dropping behind. The
third vote sent Cunking slightly ahead. ).
ana 90, with votes enough for Harris To give
DAVIS the victory. The contest was at tho
highest point Of excitement. The friends 81
both sides strained every nerve. and moved
about the chamber exhorting friends To stand
firm, and implorin" tho Harris men to scomc
over u our side The fourth ballot WA.
cast, but before dividing the votes for tho
candidates it was discovered there was ono
vote in excess. This intensified the excite.
ment, and gave rise to cries of Foul, y,
Foulw "Another ballot" but no ons
could tell which side was responsible for the
"fcul," as the votes had been counted in the
aggregate, and not for each candidate. Again
were the cab load of Harris men pressed ,nC
impIored to vote for Conklng and for Davis
"Order!n "Order!" cried the chairman o
the caucus, bringing tho Speakers mace will
unusual muscular force down on the desk
Order was restored, and the caucus proceed
ID, under o suppressed state Of feeling tina
was almost painful. 1t was powder maya
zine waiting for spark. The last vote wa.
deposited, and the tellers took their position
behind the clerks desk--the box containin.
the ballots were emptied-that hum and buzz
usual 10 packed mass Of humans passc,
away with the velvet step Of whisper. 4