National Republican., 1878-07-22
SENATOR COSKLING.
economy.

senator CONkBINGS successor, whose elec-
tion will occur with the next session Of the
Legislature Of New York. The Senate is
Republican, but what the House will he
cannot be definitely ascertained until after
the November election is to be held. II the
House shall present Republican majority,
then the question will arise whether or not
Senator CoSKLING will succeed himself.
II, however, on the other hand, the Demo.
Gratis shall have n majority in the House
equal to overcome the Republican majority
in the Serate-ncithcr Senator CoSKING
nor any Of his Republican competitors will
have any part or lot in the contest, except
nominally. That the National or Green
back party will have some strength in the
House there is no doubt, but whether that
will he equal to holding balance of
power is mere matter OF conjecture, and
should such condition Of things appear as
one of the results of the coming election, 1t
is not possible now TO foretell which party
will secure their aiIlliatiOn. All previous
history has revealed the fact that third par
ties in this country usually tend to benefit
the Democrats, and throw power in dr2c-
ton least consistent with the principles and
purposes of the intervening party.
Senator CoNKLISG will he candidate for
reelection, and will, no doubt, develop n
much larger following than any other Re-
publican in the State. In review of this
question the New Yorl: Graphic very justly
remarks that State pride will have consid-
"erable influence in the contest. There is
"no question that Senator CONKLING is n
"vcry able man. There is feeling that the
"State cannot afford to he represented in the
Senate by second or third-rate man, or rs
"it Is bluntly put, New York cannot afford
"to have two KERNANs in the Senate nor
/" to elect second IRA HARRIS TO succeed
" Roscoe CoNHLING. Whatever may be
urged against the Senator, there Is no qucs-
" tion that his presence in Washington gives
"the State of New York great prominence
"and influence in national affairs. lie is u
strong man, and he has had a number of
personal triumphs that only strong man
could have achieved"
All this is strongly in Senator CONKLISG's
favor; but then there are countcricting in
iluences at work in the State that may yet
become formidable and troublesome. The
late changes in the custOm-house of New
York city have been made ut this peculiar
time undoubtedly for the purpose Of cir
cumscrbing his power; but, after all, the
sense and will of the people cannot bc over
come, though it may be interiered with and
embarrassed by this political agency, un-
less, rs is intimated these changes have been
made now to remove the New York custom
house from the arena as factor in our pO-
litical contests. Should this power, MS is
intmated, be withdrawn entirely from the
contest, then popular sentiment will be OK
cmpted from its control and will act indie.
pendently. This condition Of things, in ouI
view of the case, will not work to Mr.
CONKLISG's prejudice and harm TO an ex.
tent that his enemies anticipate.
Whether justly or not is not for us to de-
eide; but the allegation is made that the
friends OF Senator CONKLING have affiliated
and bargaincd with Tammany Hall hereto.
fore to an extent that is likely to affect him
with class of Republicans in the State
If, however, as is alleged such bargains cx.
ist, they are very liable to extend into and
beyond the coming election and to prove
efficient to his advantage. This remark
however, is based upon the assumption
that such combination really exists.
1t is contended on the part of many here.
tofore warm admirers and adhcrents of Sen,
ator CoNKLING throughout the State that
his reticence on several important questions
before Congress during the late session has
lesseued his strength but this proposition
has its two sides and is not without its com
pensations. His marked neutrality of speech
on the silver bill leaves him without utter.
ances to explain or answer for, which might
be far more embarrassing and damaging
than consistent reticcnce.
If it shall appear that the Administration
is waging war upon Senator CoSKLING
and that the changes in the New York Gus
tom-house form part of the tactics of tina
warfare, and that fact becomes patent il
the public mind before the November elec
ton, it will not damage the Senator's pros
poets materially. Indeed, ii may rcdount
to his advantage, for the popular heart o
New York is not in deep sympathy will
the leading measures and policies of tn
present Administration. The people ar
Republican from principle and surrende
nothing to expedienCy. The State is prou
of the abilities and services of Mr. CONR
LING, otherwise its people would not hay
chung to him so long and with tcnacity =
fruitful of hOnors. Unless fresh complies
tions and un iOrcseen obstacles shall arise I
prevent, we regard Mr., CoNKLING's retur
to the Senate as a fOrcgone conclusion, pre-
vided the power to elect is delegated to Il,
Republican party, though it may be throug
much tribulation that he enters in.
THE Albany ErcniHg journal says There
"a suggestion of Senator EDMUNDs for Pres
"dent. Mr.. EDMUNDs is strong, acute, HI!
Drained, sound hearted man. His service
the Senate is of incalculabe value to II
. country. lie is independent he wants 4
favors; he has no difficult and divided hon
} Interests to deal with he has nothing
, hamper him in striking boldly against ever