Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-06-23
FROM ALBANY.
The AdminstratiOnists Bound TO Con.
unue the Struggle.


ALBANY, June % The conference at
Albany last night. comprised all Senators
and Assemblymen who voted for Conkling
except the Senator from the 10th district
and Senator Williams from Buffalo. Conk-
ling and Plat were present. The former
spoke at some length. His remarks were
mainly directed to counselling his hearers to
be steadfast to the party of true republican
ideas, and to beware of the corrupt group
of politicians who are striving to destroy
that party and its prestige.
He warned them against the men who are
approaching them with corrupt enticements
and referred to his connection with the bril-
berry investigation now in progress before
the Assembly committee and grand jury.
He said that the true republicans should dis
dain to employ such means to accomplish the
ends as have been employed by the support
ers of Depew. After dwelling upon the
growing powers of monopolies in this csun-
try. he spoke of the various corporate infiu-
ences that had been arrayed against the stall
warts. He said that it was almost inevita-
bly, severe task TO fight wealth, but more
especially was it difficult to do so with the
millions which was unscrupulously used by
corrupt agents. He thought that the time
had come for true republicans to put them
selves on record upon this subject. and
affirmed that he has no doubt upon the result
of a contest between corruption on the one
hand and honesty on the other. The power
of railroad corruption has grown immensely
in the United States, and it is mostly to be
feared when it undertakes to debauch sworn
legislators. Whenever such state of
things is at hand there can be no doubt of
the duty of the true lover of his party and
his country. The system of corruption, no
matter by whom it is countenanced, should
be exposed, denounced and checked, and on
no account should any one be shielded from
the consequences of so great crime.
Conkling then alluded to some of the per-
sons acting as leaders of the administration
republicans, and asked if any honorable man
can for a moment think of compromising
with such notorious characters. He drew
attention to the testimony already given be-
fore the assembly bribery committee and
commented upon certain parts of it in detail.
He sincerely hoped that the charges of the
profuse use of money in the Legislature are
untrue. He could not help, however. admit
ting that from the testimony already taken he
is thoroughly convinced that there is cause to
be vigiant and careful.
1t was only by the repeated request of some
of his friends that he had consented to attend
the conference, and he was induced to speak
only after much entreaty, but he considered
it his duty to warn his friends against I'M
scrupulOus attempts which had been and still
are being made to prevent free expression
of opinion on the part of senators and assem-
blymen of the State of New York, as to who
shall be elected to the United States Senate
After Conkling concluded a desultory dis
cussion took place, in which several senators
and assemblymen participated, concerning
the present condition of affairs in the legisla-
ture. few declared themselves in favor of
adjournment of the legislature as soon as pos
sible, but large majority decided it would
not be well to have any proposition to adjourn
come from stalwart source.
Another subject discussed was in reference
to the question of compromising on any SEN
atOrial candidates other than Conklng and
Plat.
The universal sentiment of the conference
was determination under no possible cir
cumstances to enter into any bargain or deal
with Depew men or anybody else of the sort.
The conference was harmonious, and when it
adjourned after eleven. the participants eX-
pressed themselves well satisfied with their
evenings work, and will their outlook.
Another dispatch says thirteen republicans,
neither Conkling nor Depew adherents, held
a conference last night, at which, it is stated,
an attempt was made to commit those pres
ent to Crowley, but no agreement was arrived
at.
At a conference of forty-five administration
members of the legislature, a resolution by
Schroeder was unanimously adopted, which
pledged administratonists to resist every
proposition for recess or adjournment and to
continue the struggle till the 3lst of Decem-
Der, If need be, to support Garfield's admin
istration n the Senate.