The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-02-17
Interesting Interviews with Senators
and ASSEMBLY nen-New York the Pivot
OF National Politics.

Our correspondent AT Albany sends
copious reports of conversations which he
has held with leading members of the
Legislature of both political parties. The
gentlemen who have consented to express
their opinions are Senator's Jacobs, Ecclesine
and Hogan and ex-Canal Commissioner
Wright on the democratic side, and Speaker
Alvord and Assemblymen Hustled, Hayes,
Fish and Hepburn on the republican side.
AS these gentlemen were sought one by
one, and each expressed his offhand views
without knowing what any OF the
others had said or were to say
the general unanimity on points OF
the greatest popular interest is quite sur
prising. 1t is evident that the prospective
political situation has been canvassed in
private intercourse among the shrewdest
men in Albany, and that the result is
pretty general agreement AS to whittier the
Presidential canvass is to lead on both sides.
The point on which the unanimity is
most entirely unbroken by any hint OF dis
confident assumption that General Grant
will be the Presidential candidate of the
republican party in the election next year.
This is accepted as foregone conclusion.
No republican at Albany doubts it.
no democrat doubts it, and if there
is anything like similar unanimity in
other States Speaker Alvord's prediction
that General Grant will be nominated by
reclamation may be fulfilled. Even if
there is no such universal consent in
other States the unfinching zeal Of the
republicans Of New York will have q
likely to be elected who cannot carry this
State. Similar interviews at other State
capitals where Legislatures are in session
would be interesting, and if the result
should be the same as in Albany the Re-
publican National Convention of 1880 will
be merely recording body to register the
predetermined and spontaneous choice of
the party.
In respect to the democratic candidate
there is no such absolute unity Of expecta-
ton and no such complete confidence on
the part of any of the gentlemen whose con-
versations we publish; but the drift Of
opinion at Albany in both parties points
to the denomination of Governor Til
den. In view Of all the circumstances
this is truly remarkable. The few
symptoms of dissent are on the democratic
side; the opinion seeming to be universal
among the republicans at Albany that Gov
ernor Tilden will control the Democratic
National Convention. This is very singu-
lar verdict to be rendered by his political
opponents SO soon after he has passed
through the ordenl of the cipher investi-
cation. Mr. Hustled thinks it is merely
q Scotch verdict of mot proven;" but even
this is great deal for the republicans of
this State to concede. The verdict
mot proven" is q substantial acquit-
tai. The general expectation Of the
republicans at Albany that Mr.. Til
den will again be the democratic
candidate is significant confession that he
has not been irretrievably ruined by the
late investigation. The fact that his party
adversaries in his own State still regard
him as the strongest of the democratic cam
didates will not be without effect in his
own party.
Still another point on which opinions at
Albany scarcely differ is the expectation
that each party will be substantially united
in the very important State election which is
to take place next fall. The grounds of the ex-
pected republican unity are quite simple.
Neither Mr.. Conkling nor Mr.. Hayes has any
thought of being Presidential candidate,
and the former having won the Senatorship
by most resplendent victory and the litter
having gained control Of the Custom House
in o manner which is more gratifying be-
cause it was hardly expected, both will be
disposed to rest upon their laurels.
Nobody doubts that Senator Conkling
will be strenuous supporter of General
Grant, and he will do nothing to obstruct
the success of the republican party in this
State. All the sharp battles OF the last two
years have been decided in one way or
another, and there is no longer much TO
fight about between Conkling and the ad.
ministration. The election Of General
influence in the State and restore him to
whatever control OF the federal patronage
he might desire. It is certain that his
great influence will DO exerted in the inter-
est of republican harmony. He will make
no difficulties about candidates in the State
Convention, and, let the ticket be composed
as it may, he will be one Of the most I'M
firing canvassers and speechmakers in
its support We suppose the republican
members of the Legislature are not mis-
taken in the expectation that their party
will go into the State canvass next fall as O
compact and thoroughly united phalanx.
The disturbing elements Of the democratic
party of the State may not be SO perfectly
hushed. The old rancor and bitterness be-
tween the Tilden and anti-Tilden factions
is at bottom quite as venomous as ever,
but Mr. Tilden holds the whiphand, in