The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-09-25
The Republican state Convention.

The Republican state Convention.
Tho Republicans hold their State Convcn-
tion at Rochester tomorrow. The party In
New York has, for three years past, been
divided by clearly defined lines into CoNK-
LING men, MORGAN men, and FENToN men.
Indeed, these three factions have existed
ever since Mr.. CoNKLING was elected t. the
Senate in the winter Of 1867, Mr.. FENToS then
being Governor and Mr. MORGAN also Sena-
tor in Congress-. At that time the Fen ION
faction was by far the largest Of the three,
and the CoNKLISG faction good deal the
smallest
When Gen. GRANT first entered the White
House Gov. FENToN entered the Senate as
the successor Of Gov. MORGAN and the col
league of Mr.. CoNKLrNG FESToN's defeat
of MORGAN in the Legislature Of 1869 great
~ puzzled MORGAN and gave GRANT the inn
preston that REUREN L. FENToN was the
strongest Republican in he foremost State Of
the Union From that time FENToN's inilu-
ence at Washington began to loom up, and
MoRGAN's commenced 10 dwndle away,
while CoNKL1NG was not yet recognized a.
controlling power in the politics of the
State The Consequence was, that in the
dispensation Of patronage by GRANT in this
State during the first year Of his admins
tration, the followers of FENroN got more
Offices than the friends Of MORGAN and
CoNKLING combined.
But CoNKLING rapidly grow in the Senate
TO the full measure Of an able debater and
bold leader, while FENToS, having no
talents In that line, stood still. In the
fall OF 1870 somebody in this State start
ed a rumor that FENToN was plotting to
become GRANTS successor at the close of
his first term. GRANT fully believed the re-
port, and so in due season the heads of FEN
TONS friends began TO roll into the Federal
basket all over the State. His venerable
friend, MOSES ii. GRINNELL, was removed
from the Collcctorship, while his thick and
thin champions, Naval Officer MERRITT,
Appraiser PALMER, and Postmaster JoSEs
were shown to the door. and n whole cOnstcl-
laton of lesser lights. like the Postmaster Mt
Albany and the ono at Buffalo, were speed
lily put out.
Here was an opening for n new Republican
leader in New York. Mr.. COMBINES abili-
ty, skill, and courage made him equal to the
emergency, and he advanced to the front.
He first encountered his foes in the State
Convention held at Syracuse In September,
1871. From that sharp conflict between him
and the allied forces Of DR.. GREELEY and
Senator FENToN, he walked of the field
conquerOr In the following November, Mr..
COMBINES opponents in the party voted
for the ticket which they haa not been per-
mitted To participate in nominating, thus
insisting him to carry the State for the Re-
publcans for the first time in four years,
md by majority of nearly 10000. After
this signal overthrow. Mr.. COMBINES an
tayonists, with FENToN at their head, re-
treated by easy marches till they reached
the Cincinnati Convention in the spring of
1872. Over that motley assembly HAYEss
friend, STANLEY MATTHEWS. presided for Two
Or three hours. When he abdcated and fed,
uAYrs's other friend. CARL Schulz, pick
Ell up the gavel; and, strange TO say, lie
held it without fee OF reward till the Con-
vention adjourned.
From the day of his triumph at SYRIA
rusc, in 1871, down to the day Mr.. HAYES
entered the White House, Mr.. CoNKLING
has led tho party in New York. But at
the Convention held in Syracuse in March,
1876, when delegates were chosen to the
National Convention, and more especially
nj the Saratoga Convention in August
1876. when candidates for Governor
and observation-disclosures were nominated
THURLow WEED, EDWIN ID. MORGAN, Gro.
WILLIAM CURTIS, WILLIAM VI. EvARTs, and
WILLIAM b. WooDE; served notice upon
RosCoE CoNKLING that it was time for him
b. step down and out. This singular combi-
nation succeeded in nominating Mr. Nor
GAN and defeating Mr.. CoRSLLL as the can
hidate for Governor. IAcnccfOrward Mr..
CoNKLING was looked upon as off color.
When HAYES went into the White House,
and EvARrs into the State Department. and
CoNKLINd sailed for Europe it was said that
the Senator had abandoned the field
CoNKLINGs sudden return electrified his
Friends and aroused his foes. The latter de-
termlncd to crush him, the former to sus-
lain him, at the State Convention. Alter a
vigorous contest his supporters have UNI
doubtcdly carried the Convention large
majority.
1T Is now asserted that Mr. CoNKLTNG will
himself be II member of the Convention,
having been chosen delegate from
Oneida county. AT all events no will
b. on the spot and dominate his
forces. Mr.. GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS,
the most snowy opponent of Mr.. CoNK-
LING in this State, will be Il member, with
some other gentlemen of like minds. Many
prominent friends OF the Senator are also
among the delegates. 1t remains to be seen
whether he will WELD his power at Rochcs-
ter with as much tact, courage, and success
a. he did at Syracuse under similar circum-
stances six years ago.
Gen. Mcclellan and the Army.
The education, the training the tastes, and