Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1877-09-27
The New York Republican COnven.
tIon

Those who predicted that Senator Conkling
would control the action of the New York
republican convention through delegates
believed TO be inimical TO the administration
were rot mistaken. The guiding hand of Mr..
Eonkling is seen throughout the entire pro-
ceedings of the convention, in which his adj
herents numbered 295, and his opponents,
otherwise the followers of George William
Curtis and The supporters of the Presidents
policy, could muster but 100. His first
triumph was in securing the election as per-
manent president of the convention of his
personal and political friend, ThOs. G.. Plat,
Mr.. COnkling, for reasons which subsequent
ly became apparent, declining that position
m order, as he said, that he might ''take a
full share of the responsibility OF whatever
might be said or done by the convention"
His subsequent eXcoriation of the modern
Teformer, George William Curtis, from the
floor Of the hall, revealed the reason for his
defamation OF the presidency OF the conven-
lion. His second triumph came when Mr.
Curtis resolution 1ndorsing the Presidents
course was defeated by a vote of yeas 1O9
nays 2S5; and his third, when the platform
rs originally reported was adopted by a vote
of yeas 295, nays 100. Throughout the plat
form the hand of Mr.. Conkling is plainly
visible. Apparently recognizing the fact
That as yet II is unsafe to attack the Presi-
~
with II, the declaration of principles deals at
some length with the Presidents policy, SO
far as II seeks the political emasculation Of
FEDERAL office-hOlders, condemning ii severe
.ly, but indorsiDg that part of Ii which for
bids the assessment of clerks for political
purposes.
The speech OF MI. George William Curtis was
Enthusiastically ornate and impersonal, and
fwas strong defence of the President One
Aundred and nine delegates applauded his
platitudes about civil service reform, but their
applause was drowned in the Kisses of Sena-
Aor Conkling's 295 faithful followers. The Sem
Atorss speech which followed was a bitter piece
OF viiuperative invective aimed, not at the
President, but at Mr.. Curtis. When he re-
1erred TO "men milliners, the dillettanti and
carpet Knights in politics, and hypocrites and
wolves In sleeps clothing" there was no
:mistaking his target, ard 30 delegates again
applauded, while 100 dissenters Missed vigor-
pusly. Again was he slightly personal in
saying that "when DIR. Johnson said patriot
asm was the last refuge of a scoundrel he had
no idea OF the possibilities of the develop
ment OF modern reformer." Nor did be for
get TO defend his good friend Cornell in the
course OF his remarks, and theoretically to
condemn the President for asking for b lis res
1gnation. The action OF several republican
conventions, notably those Of Maine and
New York, shows that many republicans O.
7he Conkling and Blaine stripe while hesta-
1ing to declare open war upon the Presidents
southern policy, mean TO asSail IL upon the
first vulnerable opening, and they break
ground meantime by announcing hostility to
the Southern Pacific railroad subsidy scheme
which they assume TO be a part OF that policy