New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-09-27
ATTACK on THE ADMINISTRATION.
ulR CONVENTION PLACED IN DIRECT ANTAGONIST
TO PRESIDENT HAYEs-MR. PLATT's SPEECH .AP-

ATTACK on THE ADMINISTRATION.
ulR CONVENTION PLACED IN DIRECT ANTAGONIST
TO PRESIDENT HAYEs-MR. PLATTs SPEECH AP-
PROVED BY SENATOR CoNELING.
lBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNEl
RocHFsrER. Sept. 26-It is not easy TO fathom
the underlying purpose. if there was any, IN puIsu
anee of which the keynote Of dissenson and division
was struck in the opening speech Of the temporary
chairman this morning and followed up until the
end was reached. aud the party set at Odds All day
Yesterday the absolute possession OF the convention
by Senator Conkng was freely conceded No one
dreamed of disputng it with him, only questioning
as to whether he would use his opportunity DIS
crctely and manage tho convention in the interest Of
peace and harmony. Up to the time of Mr.
George w. CurtiSs arrival, in the evening, tho
delegates who were know to be fayorab to the Ad-
ministration had indicated purpose to disturb the
harmony of the proceedings by asking an indorse-
ment of the Administration. They wcrc supposed
10 be quite content with what then seemed the pro-
eramme Of The Coakling dclegates-to ignore the
Administration entirely, neither approving nor con-
demning its acts OF policies. The arrival of Mr.
Curtis changed the aspect of affairs somewhat,
though not seriously. 1t was NJ once communicated
10 Mr. Conklug that Mr. Curtis had expressed the
determination 10 force the convention, far as
lay in his power to take position either for or
AGAINST the Administration. There was something
in this announcement that seemed to awaken the
puguacous spirit Of the Senator, who had begun to
grow tired of the ameness Of The situation. IL was
plain that he did NOT shrink from the Issue Mr..
Curtis proposed To raise, but rather welcomed the OK
element OF the coming fight. Mr. Curtis could have
been disposed Of easily, had Senator Conkhus been
inclined to avoid a rupture. As was stated in last
nights dispatches, the majority OF the convention
had &c M their power 10 proven his introducing his
n ri d
on three different ways the simplest ofwhich was to
postpone the committees report until after the nomi
nations, when the convention would he on the edge
o. dissolution aud debate wonld De impracticable.
But neither Senator Conkling nor his friends were
taking counsel OF prudence. or endeavoring IN any
way to shirk an open contests and that their delib-
crate throwing down Of the gauntlet and inviting
the fight was premeditaied, and not the result OF Mr.
Curiss aggressive attitude, plain from the fact
that Mr.. Platts speech, upon taking the chair, was
in print before Nj. Curtis appeared upon the scene
and that speech bristed at every point with hostility
10 the Administration so marked and positive that
no friend Of the President could decently let it 60
unanswered. Mr. COnking's forces were ar
ranged for a fight at the opening Of the
convention. Whatever the other side might think
about it,, he and his friends knew that unless the
friends of the Administration were utter cravens in
assault, there would be lively tusse on the floor.
They came in their war-Daint. Mr.. Conkling, with
n complacent and rather cOcky air occupied a seat
in the aisle well mp in front, by the side of the
Hon. John Lawson, whose dusky features in repose,
clutching a cigar stump-alsO in repose-served adj
mrably as a foil for the handsome blonde. Toward
the rear of the hall sat Mr.. George w.
Curtis. an apparently incOnsplcuous and disinter-
ested spectator. Mr. COnkling was the figure of the
convention, and seemed not unconscious of it. In
Mr.. Curts's seat there sat only the possibility of an
interruption. The hall had been handsomely decor
ated with flags and flowers, and in the centre of
floral wreath at the front of the presiding officer the
motto Harmony" blossomed upon the inhar-
moniOus
Mr.. Platt's speech which had been printed and was
ready for distribution in slip Immediately after its
delivery was the first sensation of the day. 1t was
evident enough from the first two three sentences
that he had been put forward With bellgerent
purpose, and that his speech was to be a gauntlet
thrown down to the friends of the Administration.
slight manifestation of surprise at this early OPEN
ing of the batteries against the Administration
succeeded by amazement at the indiscTiminate char
acter of the assault and the exhibition of ran
corous and Incorporating hostility which
the speaker did not affect to qualify or
conceal. 1t was the general judgment of
the convention in which, think, the more prudent
Of Senator COnkling's friends cOInc'e-that Mr.
Platts speech was In exceeding bad temper and the
worst possible taste. 1t was, of course, made with
Senator COnkng's knowledge, if not by his advice
and the wonder is that the gentleman should have
shown such woful lack Of Judgment as to lead of
with such a demonstration. The applause which
greeted Mr.. Platts reference 10 ex-Presdent Grant,
was genuine and enthusiastic, and there
was special significance in the quick and
hearty recognition given to the speakers emphasis
upon the devotion Of the ex-Presdent to his friends
and his party well to ms country. The applause
came from men who had enjoyed his favor and ex-
pelienced his devotion. 1t all the more hearty
because it suggested the contrast in this regard be-
tween Grant and Hayes, and afforded an opportunity
TO get IN an implied condemnation of the latter Mr.
Platts speech was the first mistake Of a convention
which should have made harmony its first
OBJECT and the first mistake Of the
senator who inspired it. and whose future largely
oepehds upon his promoting the union Of the party
instead OF cultivating discussion Mr. Conkling
MADE the further mistake of putting himself con-
spicuousiy forward as the directing aud controlling
tput OF the convention. He really had absolute
conuob ana u would have been wiser in him to be
content WIN the substance Of power without pa
i@ulng 'he possession Of it so publicly. His
early appearance on the floor in a set speech,
upon the comparatively unimportant question
Oh referring the credentials Of contesting dele.
cations to a committee, was hardly becoming
man IN his position 1t only had the effect 10 start
a"arh ana somewhat personal controversy, with
out changing the result or accomplishing any good
purpose. delegate Of less prominence might Just
sven have been put forward at that time, and Mr..
from fIa