The New York herald., 1879-01-05
THE STATE CAPITAL.
Energetic CanyaSSing for the Speaker
ship of the Assembly.
Hustled WITHDRAWS
Messrs. Sloan and Alvord Both
Sure Of Election
A ID A r. X H O r. S E.
Fears that a Third Man May
Secure the Prize.
A ID A r. X H O r. S E.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD


terfered materially with the passage of trains from
lators were able to reach the field of
battle before nightfall. The vestibules and
barroom Of the Delavan. however tonight indicate
for the first time the important work hand and
the earnestness with which the faithful representa-
tves of the people propose to go into the fight With
the powerful agencies at work behind the scenes in
the interests of certain candidates. the controversy
narrow itself down a strife of half dozen
corporation grants with the real party at interest
the people of the State of New York, quietly
looking on. There are three real powers involved
in the present fight, the railroad. insurance and
banking interests OF course numerous other minor
satellites of influence revolve around these wonder
full Of attraction The main. decisive, ilumi
mating orbs guiding the path Of the Albany states
men, however. generally seem to be the three in
teress above mentioned. Political leadership, too,
has a great deal to do with the settlement of the
speakership. In this particular instance the last
named lever of power will doubtless go far toward
settling present issues The story was circulated
time since that ''things had been fixed" for "Old
Salt " that the republican leaders. including Messrs
Cornell, Arthur 4 Co., had held secret caucus
in New York city and then sent forth the fiat that
Thomas G. Alvord should be Speaker of the Assembly
for 1879 To the ninetyseven republicans elected to
the House at the last election such Jctation might
seem somewhat peculiar but the chains of party dis
cipline must not be broken-so say the leaders.
GUBERNAToRIAL INKLINGs.
The story s further narrated that Alvord has been
placed upon the slate in this positive order
to get George B. Sloan out of the way possible
candidate for Governor next fall The favorte of the
Conkling wing OF the party for that Office is said to
be Chester A. Arthur late Collector of the Port of
New York, A. b. Cornell, late Naval Officer With
Sloan tConkling for Speaker. ii is presumed
he would so frame the committees and control legis
lation that it would be impossible to defeat him
for the dubernatorial nomination. Looking at the
contest from this standpoint such result would
materially disarrange the calculations OF the Conkng
managers. Peace has evidently been made be-
tween the Conkling and Fenton wings of the
party, with the understanding that Collec-
tor Merritt must be confirmed by the
United States Senate and General Arthur or
some other pronounced republican from his side of
the House placed at the head Of the next state ticket
TO night the gossipers ana wreRuiers are nusiy at
candidates and the reasons why they should or
should not be selected
One of the keenest of these gentlemen remarked to
me:-"The cry has been started that Sloan
were both in the employment Of such corporations
Why, can tell you that Sloan is the candidate Of
wanna and Western railroad. aided by Moses Tsyor
and Samuel j. Tilden; the latter gentle
and Midland Railroad assisted by ex-Mayor
wickham and Corporation Counsel Whitney
These parties are now working to secure
nection which would give them through route from
Oswego to New York When that is accomplished
President Sloan stands ready to make further con-
nection by uniting the Ontario Shore Railroad
which runs from Oswego to Buffalo. This arrange
ment would give them trunk line through
Buffalo, making Oswego city the
line of trunk railroad. When that is accomplished
connections for the new line. which would have its
terminus at Jersey City With such peculiar opin-
ions as TO the relative merits OF the three
clude of the gentlemen named is entirely
eligible for the position Of Speaker.
THERE DE OZARK HoRsE?"
Here, then, comes the conundrum--wil a dark
horse be taken up? 1t might be So and if the
tending interests pressing the three should each
tinue frm and separate. then the chances for DR. l.
/. Hayes will become much strengthened. Year after
year i argued the Pnols interests have suffered
this corruption, it is also alleged, might be first
traced TO the Speakers chair. 1t this officer who
the committees, it is in these committees that
all the fine work ito me political similc) is carried
on. Bills good and bad are either smothered
such bodies. The process OF sitting upon them
is well understood in Albany parlance. Certain
measures reach the committees on cities.
tended to kill them the committees are
seen. and they are kept back without report until
the last hour Of the session. How necessary, then,
is II that the Speaker, who forms these comm tees,
should himself be above rcproach and absolutely FREQ
from the operations of corporations individuals
How often have the baneful influences of corpora.
tions, municipalities and bands OF dishon-
est conspirators anxious to get pluck at
power the old Capitol building now
about to be torn down. The Speakers gavei in tho
pendent hand. The insurance, banking, rairoal
and other grasping corporations should be taught
severe lesson, laws being passed to protect the pub
lie from their greediness.
AN HONEST AND INDEPENDENT SPEAKER WANTED.
This il tn spirit which animates many of the
independent members OF the Legislature with whom
l Iconverscd tonight. II must be recollectcd, how
ever. that many OF the members are They
come TO Albany for the first time, some with good
intentions and others accused of being ready to do
anything which will swell their bank accounts at
the end of the session. The latter element is
decidedly in favor of any of the three candidates
already ment oncd. This is q peculiar circumstance
in itself. Although Mr.. Sloan is said to be very
honest himself, and carries the ''nsignia
around with him, Hustled and Alvord not un-
known in the Legislative history of this state. Ru-
NOR has been otcn busy til stories relative TO both
these gentlemen in their connection with corpora
tions. but runor without sufficient evideics
% aDs Tney may run all away sreo wat"
as white the driven snow In their public aud pri-
vate life. but the best policy of the republican party
altogether. such candidate. IL is further urged by
many of the Independent Assemblymen who have
reached Albany up present time coull be found
in DR.. Hayes Of the Seventh district OF New YORK city
Up to lato hour tonight the lobbes of the DeayGn
were still crowded with mefnbers Oh the stature
lobby and politicians of all degrees, discussing the
all absorbing question The adherents OF MIR. Sloan
working with quiet intensity that has its effect
On the other hand the friends OF "Old salt are nav.
ing strict attention to business and assert boldly |
that his election il positive certainty.
INTERVIEWING ALNORD.
by the way Mr. Alvord succeeded In getting ont of |
the snowbank into which his train fOundcre, and |
arrived here this morning, vigorous ever aud nut
up ut Sanwix Hall. In the afternoon, however, he |
changed his base and removed TO the Delavan where
he accommodated with on the hrst floor.
1 raped at his door few moments ago walk in,
responded the clear, sharp tones OF 'Od Salt" from
within. Entering found him buri,d up to his |
elbows In an easy chair and almost invisible through
the clouds OF smoke that he ind,lsriously manu-
featuring. On either side OF him seated faith
ful adhorent. and u was evident that the entrance
of the writer had disturbed the progress of report
they were making as to the state of the battle
well, Governor" said the writer, "what s the |
present aspect of the contest"
Bah! There Is no contest" was the reply, III |
be elected fonr to one, that's all there IL about that
Now and again some political athlete, weary ana
hot with strife In the arena of the lobbes below AZ
cended TO Mr. Alvords room to bring the latest
news and TO refresh himself with cigar ana some
thing with stick In it,"