Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-05-10
THE FACTIONS FIGHT.
THE PRESIDENT FIRM AND CONK-
LING DEFIANT.
NORtsUlT REACHED Blythe CAUCUS.
THE TOPIC OF THE DAY.

Review of the Garfield Conkling Fight.
WASHINGTON, May 0.-The Conkling
men and the Presidents friends have
thrown away their reserve and are
resolved to give each other no quarter.
The National Republican, edited by Mr..
Conkling's special friend, Mr.. George G.
Gorham, which for time was rather
chary in its denunciation OF Gar
fisld, has now turued IDS batte-
ries from Postmaster General James
to the head Of the President
himself. In its last issue it speaks of
him with the bitterest contempt. He
is held upas "weak, al tempered and
petulant" and compared to James Bu-
channon and Andrew johnson, and
denounced as guilty Of a fragrant at
tempt at executive usurpation." 1t is
more than suggested that foul play was
employed to secure Garfeld's nomins-
tion at Chicago. But the most rancor is
shown in the attempt to hold Garfield
as having not only. .assented to the bleed
ing OF the mail contractors in the cam
paign Of 1880, but as actually urging on
Brady to do things from which his con.
science revolted
Mr.. Conkliug' friends tell me that he
is not unwilling 10 see Robertson re-
ported from the committee so that the
Senate can act on the case, and that he
is ready to meet the issue boldly both
in executive session and in upon Senate.
There seems 10 be good foundation for
the report that Mr.. Conkling has hinted
a purpose to make review
oi the question in open Senate.
Such speech would lead to an
excited debate, and would take wide
range. Mr.. Conkling's friends claim
that he is backed by decided majority
of the Republican Senators. On the
other hand the Presidents friends claim
a majority of the Republican Senators
on the question of confirming Robert
son. Their count, as ! get it
from one OF the Presidents most
trusted friends. IS rs follows: For con-
firming Robertson, Messrs Hale and
FRYE, of Maine; Blair, OF New Hamp.
shire; Morrill,, OF Vermont; Hoar and
Dawes, OF Massachusetts,; Burnside, Of
Rhode Island; Hawley and Platt, Of
Connecticut; Sewell, OF New Jersey;
Mitchell, OF Pennsylvania; Sherman, OF
Ohio; Ferry and Conger, OF Michigan;
Harrison, of Indiana; Sswyer and Cam.
eron, OF Wisconsin; Mcmillan and + =
gerton, Of Minnesota; Allison and Nc
Dill, ii Iowa; Plumb and ingalls,, Of
Kansas; Saunders and Van Wyck, OF
Nebraska; Hill and T, Her, Of Colorado.
and Miller, OF Notwithstanding in all
twenty eight. The Conkling force they
count as follows: Messrs. Rollins. OF
New Hampshire; Edmunds, Of Yer
mont; Anthony, OF Rhode Island;
Conkling and Platt, OF \. Y; Cameron,
OF Pennsylvania; and Jones, OF Nevada.
In all seven. Messrs. Malone
and Logan are classed as doubtful, but
Logan will certainly 90 with Conkling.
This count is very different from that OF
Mr.. ConkIings friends, and il is very
questionable il anything like twenty.
eight Republican Senators can be in.
duced TO vote to take Robertson out of
committee. 1t is just possible that a
resolution TO advise and consent to the
nomination of Robertson. without ref.
cree to the committee, may be offered
in the Senate, and this would probably
be stronger than a resolution to dis.
charge the committee from considera.
ton of the subject.
The event OF most interest to-day was
the Republican caucus, which remained
in session about six hours. Senator
Conklng, instead of gJing into the eau.
Gus entered his committee room and re.
mained there till the caucus sent re.
quest ior him to join in its deliberations.
A proposition or suggestion to rule
out the Robertson case for
action by agreeing to act only
on the nominations to Gil the existing
vacancies was speedily discarded, as
such rule would include fully half the
nominations made. However general
discussion arose between Blair, Hawley,
Frye, Eimunds, Dawes and nearly all
the Senators present. The discussion
took a wide range and embraced all
topics now OF interest to the Republican
party. Much OF the time was consumed
in debating the continuance OF the fight
Tor the election OF Gorham md Riddle
berger. Some OF the Senators opposed
the policy, renewing the figk' and several
who are warm friends OF .he President
declared they would not again join in
the fight for Gorham aud Riddleberger; I;
that new and more acceptable nomina-
lions would have to he made TO induce
them to resume the former stand.
Conklipg made a speech OF over an hour.