The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-24
THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR
GOTERNOR

SYRACUSE. June 23.-The competition for
the Republican nomination for Governor is not
working M smoothly rs might 10 desirable.
Troubles break out in unexpected quarters
The favorito OF those who controlled tho last
State Convention and claim 10 have secured tho
largo Republican majority in the last Assembly
il opposed by some prominent persons whose
support had been confidently counted upon.
To speak plainly. vigorous hostility to Alonzo
b. Cornell begins To display itself in circles
where hearty cooperation was anticipated
while certain leaders who to say the least. were
expected to exhibit spirit ct friendly neutral-
ity aro waging war upon him.
There arc three factions in this State which
are classified in a ~ neral way rs Conkling
men. Morgan men. aad Fcnton men. With
many individual exceptions. the two latter nre
presumed to be opposed to the nomination OF
Cornell. They think that II they combine in
hearty cooperation they can defeat him in the
coming Convention. In proof OF this they point
to the Saratoga Convention OF 1876. where Cor
nell was an unsuccessful candidate for Gov
ernor. and then was badly beaten for Lieuton-
ant Governor.
The mysteries OF that Convention have never
been fully revealed. By some process of Logger
domain Cornell was induced to retro in favor
OF Morgan. The friends OF the former aege
that the supporters Of the latter promised him
tho second place on the Ticket The fair pre-
SUMPTION is that Mr. Cornell overcstimated his
strength before tho Convention met. and was
egrcgiousy cheated after 1t assembled. Two
or three weeks previous to tho Convention
Morgan leader Ia Custom House politics sum-
med up COrnells case by saying The Admin
is,ratiou men in this State tmeaning the Federal
oncchoiders) are not working for the nominal
.1aNsN
ing mis- canvass on his own hook" Tho
result was seen when the delegates
reached Saratoga. The ConklinR men were in
q minority. The Morgan men cbowcd Cornell
| of the course for Governor His friends then
| presented him for the second place. His nom
| ination seemed admirably fitted to give strength
| to the ticket. But ho was assailed with vehe-
mence that excited surprise. Mr.. George Will
| liam Curtis thrust him through and through
/ with nice epithcts tho virtuous William b.
Woodin peted him with coarse abuse. while the
| Morgan men looked on with imperturbnble
calmness. To save Cornell from slaughter. his
| friends drew him out OF the race.
Tho signs indicate that the same influences
that beat Cornell in 1876 will combine to defeat
him now. Gen. Arthur. who shared his for
tunes in the Custom House contest before the
| Senate Ia opposed to his nomination. SO is
Gen. Sharpe. who was formerly his colleague In
the revenue service They are understood to
favor Theodore NJ Pomeroy Of Cayuga. On a
| superficial view OF the situation. the most
! surprising feature OF the canvass il the re-
| port concerning the course OF Mr.. Smyth. the
| Superintendent OF tho Insurance Department
Everybody takes 1t for granted that Mr. Conk-
| ling desires the nomination Of Cornell; and II
has been heretofore supposed that Smyth was
one OF the trusty henchmen OF the Senator. But
Smyth is understood to be for Pomeroy. Well
why should he bo otherwise2 When Smyth
was on trial before the State Senate for alleged
malfcasance in Office. Pomeroy came to his
rescue at a critical stage in the proceedings.
aud by an elaborate speech drew over three or
four waverng senators. and thus averted his
conviction. Is II any wonder that Smyth re-
cprocates by scconding Pomeroy's aspirations
for the Governorshipi
In naming candidates We must not overlook
Judge Robertson Of Westchester. VINO has
many supporters in the central counties. Mr.
Hiscock. our member of Congress is likely &c
control several delegates. Hamilton Harris
has Mt least one champion and that is Harris.
The leading Federal officials in Now York city
including Gen. Merritt the Collector. give il to be
understood that they shall not conspicuously
interfere In the contest. but leave their subor-
dinates to act pretty much AS they please In the
matter Of electing delegates.
There is n dark horse in this race. who is JUS
now held in reserve. He SAYS he is not seek inc
nomination. But when tho hour Of tria
comes he may distance all competitors. MANY
Of the shrewdest Republican politicians in Ia,
State believe that he will lee the winner. reiei
10 George Il. Sloan Of Oswego.