Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-06-23
LORD ROSCOE

bOhD nooSS1
aathsrs His Clan About Him and Pours
Words OF Warning Into Their Ears
II the Vacancies are Filled lt Must
lie by Two Pure stalwarts.
ALBANY, June 22.-Conkling and
Platt were both present at the Stal~art
conference last evening, and the former
addressed the meeting at some length.
His remarks were directed to counseling
the hearers to be steadfsst to the party
of true Republican ideas and princi-
Piles and to beware OF the corrupt group
the politicians who are striving to de
stroy that party and its prestige. he
warned them against men who are ap-
preaching them with corrupt entice
ments and referred in this connection
to the bribery investigation in progress
before the Assembly Committee and the
grand jury. He said that true Repub'
licsns should disdain to employ such
means to accomplish any means as have
been employed by the supporters OF De-
pew. After dwelling upon the
Growing Power OF Monopolies
in this country, he spoke OF the various
corporate influences that have been ar
rayed against the Stalwarts. He said it
was inevitably a severe task to hight
wealth, and more especially was il diff
cult 10 DO so when millions were un-
scrupulously used by corrupt agents.
lie thought the tune had come for
true Republicans TO put themselves on
record upon this subject, and affirmed
that he has no doubt ofthe final result
OF the contest between corruption on the
one hand and honesty on the UIiIcI
The power OF raj road corporations has
grown immensely in the United
States, and il is mostly to be
feared that when it undertakes TO
Debaueh sworn. Legislators.
whenever such state Of affairs is at
hand, there can be no doubt OF the duty
of every true lover OF his party and his
country. The system Of corruption, no
matter by whom countenanced, should
be exposed, denounced and checked,
and on no account should any be shield
ed from the consequence OF such great
crime.
Mr.. Conkling then alluded to some ot
the persons who have been acting as
leaders of the Half. f.Breeds, and asked il
any honorable man can, for one moment,
think OF compromising with such noto'
rious characters. He drew attention TO
the testimony given before the Assembly
Bribery Committee, and commented
u on c, RI lin parts OF it in detail. II there
ls ANYTHING that should distinguish a
Republican, il should be his personal
honesty. This should be particularly
the case il as in the present instance
the official positions are occupied by
those who represent the party and yet
men presuming to be Republicans, have
become notorious as lobbyists for the
purpose oil
Furthsring Their Own Selfish Ends,
and for no other end. II this condition
of affairs is to continue, where will the
country go? Where will the party be?
What guarantee will the people have
that the Republican party, which saved
the Union and emancipated the slaves,
is honestly endea, ,oring to benefit the
entire people. Where can the citizens
of the State OF New York find a
party to fight their battles
against corporate monopolies and
against bribery and corruption In
every form whether in Albany or
,lsew here; he left the question to be an
swered by all who heard him as they
might CONSIDER it right; 80 far as he Is
concerned he confessed that he can see
no hope for any party or clique OF rlen
which starts out with
Bribery as its Cornerstone
and &C OF lobby "a its decorations; he
| hoped, he sincerely hoped, that the
charges oi profuse use Of money in the
| legislature are untrue; he couldnt help,
hOwever, emitting from the testimony
taken; he is thoroughly convinced
that there is cause TO be vigllant
and careful; he would particularly
warn all Republicans against prosti
tuting public office for money or pat
rOnaxe. Conkling dwelt further upon
the topic of corporate monopolies and
the official corruption which they induce
in his most earnest manner. He de-
sires that his words should produce the
most profound impression OF which
they were capable. lt was only at the
repeated request OF some OF his friends
that he consented to attend the con.
ference, and he was induced to spea K
after much entreaty, hut he consid-
cred il
His Duty TO Warn His Friends
against the unscrupulous attempts
which have been and still are being
made to prevent free expression ol
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 Senate. He opposed any con.
bination with the object Of electing 3
Stalwart coupled with a Half Breed
Senstor. III two Republican Senator!
were elected, they must be pure Stall
warts, and men whose characters were
above suspicion. They must stay here
till the bribery investigation was closed
the Half'Breeds still pressed the selec-
ton OF unfit candidates, and confined to
stand without the pale of party orgsni.
ration, and il was impossible To elect
Stslwsrt Republicans, t,-y
should Favor an Adjournment,
thus allowing the rank and file Of the
Republican party in the State to pass
on the point at issue. Falling in this
the S,slwsrts ought TO stand by thsil