The New York herald., 1879-12-17
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16, 1879.
MINDS OF NEW YORK REPUBLICAN CONGRESS-
MEN-INTEREsTING FACTS AND POSSIBILITIES
AFFECTING THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
The result Of the count in Maine was the subject
Of general comment at the Capitol to-day among the
republican members Of Congress. The republicans
of the Maine delegation in the House, Messrs. Frye.
Lindsey and Reed. say they have expected just what
has happened. and are not therefore surprised The
matter has awakened moro interest on account OF
the discussion of the proposed change In the
of selecting Presidential electors the State
Of New York. Senator Hamlin says that he docs not
believe that the New York Legislature will try any
thing Of the kind now. and the general expression
among the republicans was one Of disgust for the
way in which republican State would be changed
to a@erhocratic Commonwealth.
CHANGING THEIR MINDS.
The most remarkable development of opinion,
however among the republican members OF the
Now York delegation, whose views the proposed
change in the method Of selecting Presidential
electors expressed to your correspondent yester-
day. published to-day and showed. with few
exceptions willingness to let the present system
of choosing them alone. Conversation with the
same gentlemen to-day showed that without excep-
ton they in favor Of the Legislature assuming
its full constitutional authority by repeating the
listing law providing for the election by the people
and enactng that hereafter the entire body
tors for the State of New York should be di-
rectly by the Legislature.
IN THE NAME LIBERTY.
One of the members OF the delegation remarked
that the agitation OF the subject by HERALD had
brought 1t prominently to the attention of the peo-
pie Of New York we'll before the entire country
Now that the fusion government of Maine had seen
1T to take advantage Of technical and triIng errors
to defeat the will Of tho people. why should not the
Legislature Of the State of New York also take adj
vantage. he sad Of every privilege conferred to
tect the liberties of the people, Another prominent
republican member of the delegation who yesterday
had not made up his mind to-day said ho was now in
favor OF the Legislature assuming tho fullest re-
sponsibility such one would be an emphatic
declaration to the solid South and all Of its Northern
Allies that 1t would be futile for them to attempt
methods of unfair dealing to next Presi-
nency
THE YLoRrpA ELECTORAL VOTE.
The subject was talked over after the adjournment
Of the House. and attention directed to tho fact
that the large influx OF Northern people into Florida
since the last Presidential election. when the
exceedingly close. warranted the assertion that
on the popular vote November that State would
undoubtedly be ropubhcan but this would bo
overcome. It was said. by calling special session OF
tho Legislature. which. being democratic now. would
assume tina power of choosing the electors. that
the vote Of tho solid South might be relied upon
the democratic nominees next year. All these con.
ungencies have awakened unusual interest in tho
important part New York may take in tho coming
Presidential campaign.
eReRNBAcK VIEW.
The grcenback members Of the Maine delegation
Messrs. Ladd and Murch. say that beyond question
tine state OF Maine win elect through tho aid of the
democracy the electors who will vote for the
grccnback candidates for President and Vice Presi-
dent Therein the democracy be Of use to itself
they say, for IL New York aud New Jersey or New
York and Connecticutcan DO carried for the demo-
cratic candidate with tho vote Of tho solid south
there viii be election by the people. and then the
democrats will have 1t their way when the
tion before Congress-. 'ro illustrate. said Mr..
Murch. OF the greenback democratic Congrcssmcn
from Maine. "tho vote Of the south with New York
aud New Jersey would be but ls2. Now. IL the
electoral votes Of Maine for third candidate
instead OF for republican nominees the republicans
would have only 1S0 the electoral votes. and 1856
you know is necessary for choice by the people.
In othcr words. IL tho democracy carry New
York and connscticut and will help us carry Maine