Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-05-27

Preliminary Skirmishing for PO-
SitfOns
A SHARP DEBATE IN TEE LEGrsLArUaR.

The interest In the contest at Albany yester-
day was chiefly centered In the senate cham
ber, where Mr.. Wooden presented remon-
STANCES against the return Of Conkling and
Platt, and In set speech attacked Conkling
and Platt. Mr.. Strahan and Mr.. Holber5 re-
piled. The debate was sharp and the demo-
Gratis enjoyed it. outside the legislature less
interest was manifested. MesSrs. Conkiing aud
Arthur and their friends continued their levee.
THE CAUCUS FIzzLE-MR. CoNKLING's NOTES OF
INVITATION.
The two republican wings are as far apart as
ever. The principal feature OF interest was the
failure Of the stalwarts to hold their caucus,
After repeated declarations that they had
nfty-seVen signatures to the call, the staiTarts,
IN the afternoon, announced that they would
not held a caucus, but would instead, hold a
friendly conference. In pursuance OF this plan
Mr. ConKIng addressed the following note to
numerous republican members OF the legisla-
ture:
ALBANY, Thursday, May 2s.
MY Dear ST:-I would like few minutes
conversation with you as soon as may be, at a
time and place OF your convenience. VIII you
let me hear from you?
Cordially yours, ROSCOE CoNKLING.
Most Of these Invitations were addressed to
administration men. The conference was a
failure.
CONKL1NG FORCES BEATEN IN THE FIRST SKIRMIsH
The Herald's special says: "It1s past Thurs
DAY midnight, and no republican caucus for
Senatorial nominations has been held. Mr.,
ConkliDg's supporters frankly concede that
they nave been beaten In the first SkirmiSh of
the Senatorial campaign caucus for this
evening was the objective point, at which they
have aimed steadily ever since the correspond
ence between the assembly and senate commit
tees was opened last Monday, and they have
tailed to obtain the signatures OF majority OF
the republican members or che legislature to q
call for It. But there Is no disposition on their
part to abandon the attempt TO enforce the
usual methods OF partisan action. The effort
fer caucus Is transferred to Monday night. and
they express confidence that meanwhile repub-
ncan partisan opinion will reinforce their en-
deaxor, ana Will compel caucus at tnat time
by It's stress upon hesitating senators and as
Semblymen."
WHY THE Caucus FAILED
The Times dispatches say: "It wss difficult
to get at the true reason for the postponement
OF the caucus, which was surely some other
and more reasonable one than that so gross
biunoer as failure to give notice had been
remaining here tonight, said, in confidence,
thai the actual reason was one very distastefui
10 aomlt. out also one that would have to be.
come known sooner or later. The actual num-
Der OF s1gners to the CALL according 10 this
statement, was 4S. Senator Astor, VINO signed
Just AFTER the recess of the Senate, was tue
forty fifth signer. After he had attached his
name desperate efforts were made to secure ad-
oiticnal names, and with great difficulty the
list was forced up to 49, It WaSseen that it
9uia oe imposnle an1s na to cal Nine or
conference, but they were men who could not
De relied uEon and IL was feared, II caucus
was called upon the strength OF promises made
with reservations, that the men might neglect
TO answer the call. and then put the ConkIlng
men in the awkward position OF holding a
caucus or conference at which leas than
majority OF members would be present.
The list was submitted, 1t is said, to Mr.,
C0nknng, and IL Is reported that then for the
first time he expressed himself as disposed to
abandon the contest. That the situation was
server. The leading men among the stalWarts
were busy In conference in Conkling's room ali
the evening, Mr. S. B. butcher going and com
Ing constantly and wearing faJigued AMI
couragement to his friends The talk about
Blaine's activity In this contest, which was
suddenly injected into all olscuss.ons last
night. wss heard 10 more. There was ~ boast
irg about the % names that were to be securei
with ease"
TIE ADMINISTRATION PARTY GRowINi
The TT'tbu7e's specials speaking OF the failure
to hold caucus and OF the Conkling list OF
stalwaIts, says: 'tJust how many signatures
they actually have, it would be difficult to say.
not In favor Of seeing him a candidate, said to-
night that at midnight last night there were
only thlrty-slx names on the list, anu he be-
lesed lie there were now only thirty seven. It is
ton have thirty nine names signed to their
pledges and count up now fifty members who
viii stand by them. The drift is unquestion-
ably toward the administration: but In the eyes
OF many OF the members the machine casts a
long and fearful shadow. They are afraid OF
offending the machine. at the same time that
ton; and thus they remain In doubtful, al
most equivocal position between the two;
afraid TO go over to either and afraid to stay
away from bQth."
TIE sTALwARTs DAzED.
The Sun correspondent says OF the situation
yesterday" 1.-The stalwarts seemed dazed
They wore troubled faces. Vice President Ar
recruits TO give caucus call the color OF regu-
laTity were not forthcoming, and no call had
been issued. The whole machine was out OF
not set 1t running. Oh and grease were used In
vain. Mr. Conkl1ng did not appear until long
after the legislature had gone into session. The
half breeds were more 1ubilant than ever.
We've got the hog hook into him. said Sena-
tor Sessions, 'and drawing him toward the hot
water. That's what's the matter After break.
fast the Senator was closeted for long time
B. Johnson, OF Utica Arthur and Platt with
drew from public gaze. Mr.. ConklIng's personal
influence has been stretched to the utmost ten
Sion."
TIE coNKL1Ka MANAGERS EXPLAIN THE CAUCUS
FAILURE
by saying that Speaker Sharpe had blundered
In failing to announce the caucus from the
desk just after the adjournment, and they did
not want to be charged with having called
snap caucus.
The dispatches generally say Conkllng is
losing ground.
NO CONFERENCE AT VICE PRESIDENT ARTHUR's.
Vice President Arthur, last night, pronounced
the story OF conference at his residence, in
New York City, last Sunday, falsehood. He
said: "Yes, it was entirely false. During the
whole OF last Sunday only six gentlemen who
called at my house found me at home, and
three OF them were social visitors from out OF
town. presume that there are few persons of
large social acquaintance In New York who
would not receive as many or more friends on
coming to the city after considerable absence,
There was no conference at my house Of
political nature or OF any other nature"
Last night the stalWartS were exhibiting the
folio wing dispatch.
CITY OF MExIco May 26.--I hope the legisla-
ture Will re.elect our Senator's. GRANT.
THE WRONG MAN.-The reports. rumors, In
situations ana tnnuendoes that Secretary
Blaine's recent visit to New York was for the
purpose Of emotherlng something damaging to
himself or friends In connection With the star
route scandal were all effectually aQuelched to-
day by Postmaster General James, who said
that there was nothing In the star route deve.-
opmenta to disturb Blaine
THE Tnrir RvcwTpra fronn cuafonoc for tho