The Portland daily press., 1881-06-23
THE LONG CONTEST.
Mr.. Conkling Addresses His Sup
porters.
MR.. WHEELER SCORES FORTY VOTES.
Potter Substituted for Jacobs by the
Democrats.

ALBANY, June pa conference was held
last night, comprising all the Senators and AS
semblymen who voted for Conkling except the
Senator from 10th district and Senator Will
liams of Buffalo. Conkling and Patt were
present, and the former spoke at some length
His remarks were mainly directed to counsell-
ing his hearers to be steadfaSt to the new partv
OF true Republican ideas and principles, to be-
ware OF the corrupt group of politicians who
are trying to destroy the party and its prestige
be warned them against men who are ap-
preaching them with corrupt enticements and
referred in this connection to the bribery in
WESTON in progress before the Assembly COM
mttee and the grand jury. He said that true
Republicans should disdain to employ such
means to accomplish any ends as has been en-
ployed by the supporters of Depew.
After dwelling upon the growing power of
monopolies in the country he spoke of the va
rious corporate influences that have been ar
rayed against the stalwarts. He said it was
almost inevitably severe task to fight wealth
but more especially Swas it difficult tel do SO
when the millions were unscrupulously used
by corrupt agents. He thought the time had
come for trure Republicans to put themselves
on record upon This subject, and affirmed that
he has no doubt of the final result of a contest
between corruption on one hand and honesty
on the other. The power of railroad corpora
tons had grown immensely in the United
States, and it is greatly to be feared when it
undertakes to debauch sworn legislators.
Whenever such state of affairs is at hand
there can be doubt of the duty of every true
lover of his party and his country. The sys-
tenn OF corruption, no matter by whom coun-
tenanced, should be exposed, denounced and
checked, and on no account should any one be
shielded from the consequence of such great
| crime.
Mr.. Conkliug then alluded to some of the
persons acting as leaders of the half-breeds, and
asked if any honorable man can TOR one mo-
ment think of compromising with such notori-
GUS characters He drew attention to the tes-
timony already given before the Assembly bri-
berry committee and commented upon certain
| parts OF it in detail He hoped that the charges
of the profuse use of money in the Legislature
| are untrue. He could not help, however, adj
hitting from the testimony already taken he is
| thoroughly convinced that there is cause to be
| vigilant. 1t is only at 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 consid-
cred it his duty to warn his friends against the
| INSCRIPTIONS attempts which have been and
are still being made to prevent free express
sion of opinion on the part of the Senators and
| Assemblymen of the State of New York as to
| who shall be elected to the United States SEN
| ate.
After Conkling had concluded, desultory
discussion took place, in which several Sena-
tors and Assemblymen participated, concern
ing the present condition of affairs in the leg
islature. A few declared themselves in favor
of adjourning the legislature as soon as posi-
BILE. but large majority deemed 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 Sena-
torial candidates other than Conkling and Platt.
The universal sentiment of the conference was
the determination under no circumstances to
enter into any bargain or deal with the Depew
men, or any body else of the sort. The confer
ence was harmonious and when it adjourned
after II, the participants expressed themselves
we'll satisfied with their evenings work and
with the outlook.
Another despatch says thirteen Republicans,
neither Conklng nor Depew adherents, had
conference last night, at which, it is stated, an
attempt was made to commit those present to
Crowley, but no agreement was arrived at.
At conference of forty-ive Administration
members of the Legislature resolution by
Mr.. Schroeder was unanimously adopted
pledging the ADMINISTRATORS to resist every
proposition for recess or adjournment. and to
continue the struggle till the 31st of December
il need be to elect two supporters of Garfeld's
Administration to the Senate.
At meeting of the bribery committee to-
day Gen. Benjamin F. Tracy appeared as
counsel for the committee in place of Mr..
Bangs. Gen. Tracy requested an adjournment
till tomorrow, which was agreed to. 1t is be-
lieved that all the testimony to be brought be-
fore the committee will be submitted to-mor-
row
The joint convention met at noon, Lieut..
Gov. Hoskins presiding, and preceded to vote
to ill the short term vacancy, as follows: