The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-06-22
CONKLING'S CHARGES.
He accuses the "Half- Breeds"
of Bribery.
And advises the "StaIwarts"
to stand firm.
a BREAD and Water" diet suggested
until two Republicans are Elected.
THE BRIBERY COMMITTEE.

THE BRIBERY COMMITTEE.
ALBANY, June 22.-The bribery commit
tee met and adjourned till tomorrow
Conkling and Platt were both present a.
the stalwart conference last evening anC
the former addressed the meeting at length
His remarks were mainly directed to coun
selling his hearers to be steadfast to the
party of true Republican ideas and princi
piles and not be won by corrupt group o1
politicians, who are striving to destroy thai
party and its prestige. he warned then
against men who are approaching then
with corrupt enticements and referred il
this connection to bribery investigation in
progress, before the assembly committee
and the grand jury.
If there is anything that should distin-
guish Repubublican it should be his per
sonal honesty and this should be particu-
larry this case, if as in the present in
stance, as the official positions are not oc-
cupied by those who represent the party
and yet men processing to be Republicans
have become notorious as lobbyists for the
purpose of furthering the crown
selfish purposes and for no other end.
If this condition of affairs is to continue
where will the party go to? What guar
antee viii the people have that the Repub-
lican party, which saved the union and
emancipated the slaves, is honestly endeav-
oring to benefit the entire party, where can
the citizens of New York find a party to
fight their battles against the corporations
and monopolies, and against bribery and
corruption in every form whether in Al
bany or elsewhere.
He left the question to be answered by
all who heard him as they might consider
right So far as he is concerned he confess
es that he can see no hope for any party or
clique of men which starts out with bribery
as its corner stone, and acts of lobby as
the locations.
He hoped-he sincerely hoped that the
charges of profuse use of money in Leg
islature are untrue. He could not help
however, adding that from testimony al
ready taken he is thoroughly convinced
that there is cause to be vigilant and care
full. He would particularly warn all Re
publicans against protesting public office
for money or patronage This
system of corruption, no matter by whom
countenanced' should be exposed, de-
nOunced and checked, and on no account
should any one be shielded from the con
sequences of such great crime. ConkGng
then spoke of some persons, who have been
acting as leaders of the half breeds, and
asked if any honorable man could think, |
for moment of compromising with such |
notorious characters. He then drew at |
tention to the testimony which has been |
already given before the bribery committee |
He said that true Republicans should |
disdain from employing such means to ac-
complishing any ends as have been en-
ployed by Supporters of Leep. After dwell
ing on the growing power of money factors
in this counary, he spoke OF the various
corporate influences that have been ar
raigned against stalwarts. He said 1t was
almost inevitably severe task to fight
wealth, but more especially was it difficult
to do SO when the millions were unscrup
ulously used by corrupt agents.
He thought the time had come for true
Republicans to put themselves on record
upon the subject and affirmed that he has
no doubt of the final result of the contest
between corruption on one hand, and hon
esty on the other. The power of the cor
poration has grown immensely IN the
United States and it is greatly to be feared
when it undertakes to debauch sworn leg
islators Where even such state of affairs
is, there can be no doubt of duty for every
true lover of his party and his country
Conkling dwelt further upon topics of
corporate monopolies and official corrup-
tions which they induce. In his most
earnest manner he decided that his words ,
should produce the most profound impress
sion of which they were capable. 1t was
only at the repeated request of some of
!
the conference and he was induced to
speak only after much entreaty, but he
considered it his duty to warn his friends :
against unscrupulous attempts which !
have been and still are being made to pre- :
vent free expression of opinion on the !
part of senators and assemblymen OF the !;
state of New York as to who shall be :
elected to the United States senate he !
opposed any combination with the OBJECT +
Of electing stalwart coupled with han- I
breed. ,
If two Republican Senators were elected
they must be sure sta1warts and men whose
characters were above suspicion They :
must stay here until the bribery investiga- !
ton is closed If Half-breeds still press {
ed selection of unfit candidates and con- :
timed to stand without party organization
and it was impossible to elect stalwart Re- :
publicans, they should favor adjournment, !
thus allowing rank and file of the Repubh /
can party of the State to pass on this |
point and insure failing. In this the stall :
warts should stand by their colors until the t
31st day of December il necessary.
Conkling was positive and emphatic In {
addressing his superiors. He spoke over /
an hour and his speech was filed with his 2
torical precedents bearing upon courtesies
due senators in making executive appoint g
ments. Tt included the history of Simmons,
Case and Boston, Conkling's statement q
did not differ from that already given by G
Geneaal Grant
THE CONVENTION. C
ALBANY, June 22-The joint conven- /
ton for short term:
Jacobs SO Conkling % % u y
corSeif Sa9eiff 90 FsREnam FsREaeI = e
Bradley .......... ROGERS rs.........-.... %
Long term: >