Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-05-26
THE BIG RACE AT ALBANY
WHO ARE THE HALF BREEDS
DARK HORSES?
The Senate Declines 90 Enter the
Caucus-ROth Houses Attending TO
Business - COnklIng and Plat
Holding LeVees RumOFs that
Platt Will be SacrIfced-A Poor
show for the Plan.

ALBANY, May 25.-The following letter
was sent to Speaker Sharpe at 11:3O this
morning:
estate OF NEW YoRK, SENATE CHAMBER,
ALBANY, May 25, 1SS1.-To Hon. George Il.
Sharpe, Chairman Of the assembly Caucus
Committee: DEAR sIR-The Senate Caucus
Committee have given the question Of call
ing caucus, the earnest deliberation which
the gravity Of the situation demands. The
United States Senators from this State have
resigned and thrust upon the Republican
members of this Legislature the alternative
of supporting or antagonizIng the national
administration. This issue involves the
integrity Of the party. The resignation Of
our Senators has left the Senate of tt e
United States in the control of a Demo
cratic majority. The Republican party of
this State cannot submit its relations to the
party of the nation to the decision of q
majority of legislative caucus. No mem
Der ought to be excused by caucus action
from individual responsibility, but in ioiut
convention of the Legislature, and 10 the
solemn exercise OF his duties as a legislator,
each man should cast his vote according to
his conscience and the wishes of his con.
stituents. We do not, therefore, deem 1t
wise to unite in call for joint caucus.
"We remain, dear sir, yours truly,
''L. MCCARTHY,
GEORGE II. FORSTER"
"While do not fully concur In the above,
| deem it unwise and inexpedient at the
present time to join in or recommend q call
for caucus. w. w. ROCKWELL"
Both sections, the Conkling and anti
Conkling members, talk confidently to day.
The refusal of the Senate Caucus Commit
tee to call caucus was not unexpected. A
paper circulated Yesterday for signatures of
Republican members, calling caucus, was
still in circulation this morning. The stall
warts say it will contain the names of
majority of the Republican members. At
noon the stalwarts reported that they had
fifty signatures to their call for a caucus.
Fifty four is majority of the Republican
members of the Legislature.
From appearances here to day no one
would think there was such an important
question pending as the one before the
Legislature. The members were in their
seats in both houses attending closely to
business, and when spoken to regarding the
Senatorial issue answered promptly and de-
cisively for or against Conkling, as the case
might be.
At the Delevan House Conkling and his
associates held levees, entertaining mostly,
however, persons who are not members of
Lno Legislature. All BOrJS OF reports nave
been in circulation all day. Some evidently
set afloat as feelers, and others entire fc-
tion. Among those given out this evening
was one to the effect that the friends of
Conkling say If he is returned to the Senate
he will abstain from attacking the admins
tration, and, further, that IL it is demaded
in the interest OF harmony Platt will with
draw as a candidate, and the administration
section may name Senator to take his
place.
1t was also reported that President Gar
field has approved of such an arrangement,
and that he urges his friends to accept the
proposition. 1t was added, however, that
the proposition was received with not a
little distrust, and had no effect upon those
who are determined not to go into caucus.
If accepted, they say, the election of their
man in place of Mr.. Platt must first be
consummated before they will cast a
vote for Mr.. Conkling. This report was In
duetriouslY put forward, but little investi-
CATION set it at rest. The administration
men said that II President Garfield urged
anything of the kind his friends would be
the first to be notified of his wishes In the
matter, and they have not been SO notified.
There is a growing anxiety to know whom
the opponents of Mr.. Conkling will support,
not only for his place, but for that OF Mr..
Platt.