The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-07-09
A CAUCUS.
THE REPUBLICANS AT ALBANY FINALLY
HOLD ONE.

HOLD ONE
ALBANY, July 8.-The Republican legis
lative caucus met in the assembly chamber
at 4:3O D. m. Phillips called the caucus to
order and nominated Alvord for Chairman
which was carried amid long continued ap-
plause. He briefly addressed the caucus
in behalf of harmony and unity, Senator
Loomissand Assemblyman Law were ap-
pointed Secretaries. The roll was called
and fifteen Senators and forty-nine Assem-
blymen answered to their names. Track
moved that the two candidates chosen be
taken from the two principal divisions of
the Republican party. Schroeder offered
| an Amendment that no less than fifty-four
votes be required to nominate candidate;
] that the cacus first fill the short term
vacancy and unless two candidates
are nominated, no nomination shall be
binding. A division of the question was
called for, and the first branch, requiring
fifty-four votes, was adopted Senator
l'itts moved to amend the second branch
by first voting for the long term, which
was agreed to, with the further amendment
that the nomination be viva voce. The 9th
er branch as to the nomination of both
candidates was agreed to. Tracks motion
was then adopted. The caucus then pro-
ceeded to nominate a candidate for United
States Senator in place of Thomas G Platt,
resigned. Senator Woodin read the follow
ing to the caucus.
DEPEw's LETTER.
AIBaSY. July S-To members of the
Legislature who have voted for me Tor
United States Senator-Gentlemen;
I nropose to decline the further use
INV name for United States Senator. lean
- ~ =. tire from this canvass without express
md re
taPa 4b;s sction with the advice of trusted
friends who fully concur that at the present
i,nct,,ra sacr. 'tices and concessions ought to
be made on ali tides. / entered upon this
campaign at the ,>ssrnest solicitation of a
large proportion of gentlemen VINO nave
since sustained me against the Wish OF
my business associates and fHends. AS
deliberately quit public life many
years ago when it was full of premise
for economical and prudential reason,
so / had resolved now to surrender pro-
fessional relations to devote whatever of
ability or experience | possessed to the
public service. You have been fruitlessly
balloting for five weeks, and for four of
them I have had the support of majority
of the Republican members of the Legisla-
ture In the midst of calumnics and ami
mosities unusual even in political warfare
this confidence has remained mistaken, but
am convinced that feelings have become
so embittered in this protracted struggle
against those who have been the longest
and foremost in the fight that neither by
unity in caucus or voting in convention
can this question be settled while they re-
main in the field. Neither state nor party
can afford to have New York unrepresent-
ed in the national councils. A great crime
has plunged the nation into sorrow and in
midst of the prayers and tears of the
whole people, supplicating for recovery
and weeping over the wound of the
President, this partisan strife should cease.
A contingency not contemplated when the
state left the Senate, renders the presence
of the New York representatives imperative
should congress be called together. To
those who have sustained me with such
hearty loyalty and earnest friendship words
are poor indeed to express my feelings.
Their devotion will be the pride of my
life and the heritage of my children.
To the great party so indissolubly connec-
ted with the most glorious and benefi-
cent events in our countrys history,
embodying in its principles, purposes and
organization the fruition and promises of
what the republic has in the present and
needs in the future, shall contribute in