The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-10-09
NIX. CONKLING,s c.iMPAIQM
The Accepted Plan for Unitias tho Repwb-
lican Factions.

Abraham Lincoln used to tell the story of a
rough witness in u Western court who hap
pcncd 10 be- dressed In a suit Of drah and wns
mistaken for n Quaker by the clerk. who asked
him whether he wanted to swear or affirm. He
replied that IT didn't make Id bit II
difference which, Tho Conkling Delegates
were quito ~ Indifferent rs the profane witness
~ to whether they should fight or harmonzc.
They were ready for either contingency. with
perhaps Il slight preference for - shindv."
The knowledge of their strength prompted 70
desire to exhibit it, II the question had been
left to tho majority. they would probably have
decided to prccpitatc quarrel But so much
incense had been burned in advance ut the
altar VI harmony that it was deemed advisable
by the managers to try the effect OF n sacrifice
ut that shrine
II was pointed out In these letters that tho
drafting OF the platform would be intrustcd to
Mr.. Charles T.. Smith Of tho Albany Erenug
JOWT,di. and II was also set forth that Mr.
Smith was proud Of having worked in con-
junction with Mr.. George William Curtis to
produce tho platform Of 1875. Well. this year
Mr.. Smith carried the resolutions with him to
Saratoga. duly elaborated and engrosscd. But
the evening before the Convention assembled
he took them To VT. Curtis's room and submit.
ted them to that rcntlemans inspection. with
friendly offor to incorporate any amendments
which the Staten Island statesmen might sug-
gcst. II looked Ike graceful concession on
the pant OF C0nIing's friends but in reality it
was a shrewd device To- force surrender Of tho
minority The tone aud tenor Of the rrsolu-
tions could not boz changed by mere verbal
alterations. and Mr.. Curtis. nattercd by the
consideration shown 10 MIN. accepted them
substantially a. they stood. aud readily agreed
to support them on the Moor Of the Convention.
The fact that Hayes was ignored in the plat
form lid not seem 10 trouble the sranty COM
pany who had gone t. Saratoga to defend him.
Mr.. Curtis suddenly discovered that the
financial question was paramount. aud az no.
body was inclined to dispute him it was easy to
produce the appearance Of harmony.
Tho first aud most natural comment on the
Convention Is that il WAS adroitly managed.
So much WAS evident oven to those who wit
messed il working from the outside. But
viewed from the inner circle the adroitncss Of
the management appears much moro con
spicuous The folly Of crying Peace peace"
when there is no peace was condemned years
ago. It was the purpose OF Mr.. Conkling's
friends this year 10 avoid that error. They set
out in downright earnest 10 consolidate the
strength II the Republican party The Con-
yontion WAS only an episode in their compro-
hcnsiye programme. They were ready ocrush
the recalritranis il that had been the order from
headquarters. Bat they wcrr also ready TO per
form the more difficult tasS u concentrating
them. II could not escape observation. how
ever. that two-thirds II Mr.. Conkmg's Bepuh-
lcan rivals and enemies wcrc on Ire seekers
mon bent on destroying tho senator. that They
might divide the raiment of his patronage
among themselves. To satisfy such a class
withou, surrend ring their principles or sacri-
hring their favor.te was the task st before Mr.
Couklins's managers. aud 1t must be- admitted
that making bricks without straw wssAt cir
cumstlnee 10 1t. Many wore positive In the
declaration that could hot be done. How were
the on g seekers t. be brought into line while
The Offices they sought remained in the hands
II conkling's supporer-t The answer TO this
pulling question is simpler than it seems
rhirty-thrcc Congressman are 10 bee elected
from the state Of New York in November II is
easy to argue THAT these are the most import
ant Offices g. bee filri at the coming election. A
scat in Congress bounds tho ambition Of the
average politician. T. throw the Republican
nomination for that onicc into the hands II tho
Hayes faction ia di-tr.-;- whore that faction Is
strongest and most troublesome. is the essen .o
" the plan agreed upon by Mr.. CouGling's
friends They iurcsaw that il the scheme could
ho successfully carried out, they could hold
these Congress .oual candidates Is hostages for
the a lchty 81 thcir followers. Except Ia rare
instances the recognized friends Of Mr.. Cunk-
LA. are o. %, named for The Assembly With
from throe to five Cuuslius mon running for
the LEGISLATURE in d.stria whnro tho nominee
or Congress is known as Hayes man it
ought Apparently o. be easy for both sides o.
pool the i-su"' and poll their votes. Any at
t"mit NJ revolt against the Assembly olnli-
dates ean bc checked hY threat To- retaliute on
the congressional nominee The on 90 seekers
ara thus held in the traces by their desire for
o0iec and an appeal 70 selhshncss works VIII, re-
an appeal TO patriotism or even to partIsauship
would fail.
II is far easier, however. TO arrange a scheme
~ this sort In council of twenty or thirty
leaders. than it f. o. carry It out in State
which contains half million Republican
voters. Oineccssty the plan WIS modified in
rcran quarters to meet eNigencios which had
aris'n. For instance. in the Thirty nrst Dis
triri, Richard Crowley the United States Ds
riet Attorney for the Northern District who s
known us ono e senator Conkling's stoutcsi
supi Jrtcrs had made his arrangements 10 =.
% Congress anterior TO the meeting OF the Con,
Vrn'ion. ant hoiorc the great god Harmony be
came an object 81 universal worship. II w0ul,
interfere with too many other plans 10 di-plnr,
| him. and he WAS accordingly nominated. Bu
"a an Offset To- this no effort has boon made (.
| influence tn Assembly nominations In the
| Conking interest In Gcne-ee. Wyoming 81
| Niagara, the counties comprising tho district
In Eric County an effort was made t. carr,
| ont the programme hy nominating sherman $
| Jewett Whose name has becn confused will
that " sherman $. togers in most of the news