The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-05-25

indorse them in every particular. COnkling an
nouncec hat personally, he preferred 20 retire to
private life, than to again enter upon the duties
of Senstor. He had served his State in the Senate
TO the best OF his ability tor many years, and he
was ready now to step down aud allow some other
man 70 take his place. But, Notwithstanding his
due to his friends TO take their ad-
vice in a question of so great
mporta nee. and he was ready 10 sacrifice his per-
sOnal feelings 10 their demand He wanted II
distinctly understood. however, that in case OF his
again becoming a candidate for the Senate Mr..
Platt must be united with him. He will be a
party 10 no arrangement by which he should be
returned to the senate and Platt be sacrificed. The
cause ofthe younger man was mis- own, and.the
two must stand or fall tosetheL.
should send TO Washington as his
colleague any other gentleman than the one who
acted with him in demanding that the State
should be respected by the President. In the dis
cussion which followed IL was held that TO allow
another, at this j%uncture, to slip into IConkling's
position would be 10 endanger the safety OF the
Republican party ia the state. and that would en-
danger its safety throughout the land. IheQueS-
ton of difference which had arisen between the
administration and COnkling was commented on
at great length. and IL was argued that
il was President Garfield who had grabbed
at the patronage in the case OF the Colleelorship OF
this Port. He removed Collector Merritt against
the protest OF 7,OO0 merchants OF the city, ana for
no other reason than 20 reward his political
friend, and il is because Conkling objected 10 THIS
act and advised the President against il he was
accused of trying TO steal patronage. The
drift of the argument here brought
the ex-senator to the front tor a moment. Point
ing to the hat OF one Of the gentlemen lying on
the table he said: suppose a man should come
in here and attempt 70 take that hat. and one OF
YOU gentlemen Slonif say 10 him. Don't 90
that: the hat Is not yO.T,.' and a squaOble should
arise, and then suppose the man who was trying
to take il should accuse the man who was en-
he thief, and assert ne was the man who was
doing the wrOng-that Is exactly 4 parallel case
TO this of my trouble with the President. i have
not tried to steal the COllectOrship. | have tried
to keep il in the hands OF a man VINO has the
right 10 IL until his term expires; but ] am ac-
cused of being the thief. am accused Of grab
bling for patronage. l have simply tried to pre-
vent Others FROM succeeding ia their grab for
patronage"
II was the opinion OF Vice President Arthur and
all gentlemen present that both COnkiing and
Plat should go to Albany at once ana personally
engage in the contest before the Legislature. This
scheme was somewhat distasteful 70 Mr.. COnk-
ling. He said: 'Of course, l am In the hands
of my friends noST, and L feel bound
to defer TO their wishes; but ! do not like the
idea OF going on 70 Albany on this mission.
However. il shall be a. you decide. A very care
made during the conference, and the result was,
the gentlemen came Ia the unanimous conclu-
sion that both Conkiing and Plat could he
elected.
great numbers OF members, pledging their votes
10 him, and COnkling has received assurances
from as many more. some OF whom sre claimed
to be pledged against him by the 'half-breedS.
1t was urged, too, that Republicans,
and especially the Adn,inisu alton Republicans,
can not afford N bolt the caucus, and the election
will undoubtedly be determined in caucus.
The conference ended az about 6 O'Clock, and
Conkling and Plat went direct to the FIN
Avenue Hotel.