The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-05-24
CONKLING'S CHANCES.
His Re. elecrion Apparently More
Probable.
THE CAUCUS THE TURNING POINT
OF THE CONTEST
Administration Men Not Disposed to
Accept its Decision.

Administration Men Not Disposed to
Accept its Decision.
NEW YORK, May 23.-Specials from ALBANY
to both the Post and the Commercial Adver.
tiser say the Express of Albany had an article
condemning Conkling's determination to run
again for the Senate, and it saws he belittles
himself in being a candidate for reelection
under the present circumstances. Both des-
patches intimate that although the Express is
Conkling paper that this means bid for
Cornell.
Conkling remains here. Platt called upon
him at an early hour and for three or four
hours remained in consultation Conkling's
private secretary says this morning that neither
Senator will go to Albany but will await the re-
suits of the caucus of the Republican men,
bers of the Legislature, which will DO called
this evening at Albany. If it is thought best
for them, to make personal canvass they will
leave on the morning train tomorrow.
1t is stated generally that no. set conference
was held here last night by Republicans with
Conkling, Plat and Arthur. but several peo-
pie waited on them at different times, and it is
understood that a regular caucus of Republi-
cans of the Legislature will be held, which
will decide what action shall be taken upon
the Senatorial designations The impression
is that both Messrs. Conkling and Plat will be
put 10 nomination.
A committee of three has been appointed by
the Autobiography League to go to Albany to
urge legislators to vote against Depew or any
other man identified with railroad interests.
1t is reported ON the street this morning that
Roscoe ConBling has been retained by parties
interested in dissolving the Manhattan COM
pany, the consideration being 100000.
A mass meeting of Republicans who endorse
ering Hall. Resolutions were adopted decar-
ing that the Republicans OF this city offered to
the President and his Administration cordial
| support.
The First Ward Republican Association of
| Brooklyn tonight adopted resolutions endors-
| ing the President and condemning the course
of Cunkling and Platt.
WASHINGTON, May ga Republican Con-
| gresham, arrived from New York this morn
| ing, says that it was the opinion of large
number OF New York Assemblymen who were
in New York yesterday that Mr.. Conkliug
could not be reelected, even if. as is stated, he
! has permitted the announcement to be made
that he will be candidate. The impression
among the New York politicians was that Mr..
Conkling really desired reelection, while
Mr.. Platt was either Indifferent or was posi-.
lively averse to it. Mr.. Piatt, they say, is the
possessor of considerable fortune, and is now
| in the way OF making very large one, and a
| connection with politics of the sort which he
has had for the last three months would seri-
| OuSy interfere with his business He is presi.
dent of an express company, president of
railroad and president of bank, and his bust
ness associates think that is as much as one
man can attend to-
ALBANY, May 23.-Very few members of the
Legislature remained OYER Sunday, and they
| were greatly confused by the uncertain and
indefinite reports sent out from New York.
| Those here who last week thought there was
not the slightest chance of the return of the
| resigning Senators, now are not quite so posi-
tive, and say it largely depends upon their
| vuicl Sfafa ofyo AZ
| Cornell, are reported as saying that if Conk-
ling wants to be reelected it Is the duty of the
Republican majority of the Legislature to re-
turn him and thus save them from stultifca-
| ton.
Members of the Legislature began to arrive
| this afternoon.
Senator Wagner said the people along the
Mohawk valley are aroused. Ninety-five out
of every hundred Republicans are opposed to
the reelection of Conkling and Platt, and we
are determined in opposition.
Senator Pitts said his whole district is on fire
and astorm of indignation against the Senators
is felt everywhere. Any one who votes for the
return of Conkling digs his political grave. He
| can never be reelected in that section.
Assemblynan Skinner said the people seen
were OF one mind in opposition to the re- elec-
ton of Conkling and Plat The ranks are
swelling every day, and the great mass of the
Republicans are determined that the Ad-
ministration shall be upheld.
Assemblymen Peck and Chamberlain, of ST.
Lawrence, say that they found their constitu-
ents unit on the question
Assemblyman e. A. Carpenter of Suffolk,
said his constituents were against the action of
Conkling and Platt, but said he favored their
reelection nevertheless.
Col. George Bliss in conversation with a
reporter said: my impression is that Mr..
Conkling will go back to the Senate, but it is
perfectly clear to me that Mr. Platt will not
| Nobody cares anything for him, and even the.
friends of Conkling despisc him. think that
| there are good many Of the so-called half
breeds who, down in their boots, would not
| object to seeing Conkling returned to his seat,
| provided he was accompanied by some other
man than his lave colleague. The fact is, the
| State Of New York can afford to excuse Conk-
ling for the foolish part which he has acted,
but they cannot afford to vindicate him. They
can send him back to Washington coupled
with an Administration Senator, and thus say
to the country, We forgive our brilliant
Senator, but we do not indorse him in the
course which he has pursued! The half
breeds OF course, recognize the fact that there
| is Conkling half of the party as we'll as an
anti-Conkling half, and they can well be re-
conciled to the return of Mr.. Conkling if
they send with him man having the conf
dence OF the Administration, through whom
they will be sure to get all the loaves and
fishes. My impression is that there will be
caucus, and the whole contest will be settled
| on the first day.
So far as the members of the Legislature are
| concerned scarcely one attempts to defend the
| action OF the Senators now. Those who speak
| in their behalf argue that the State cannot dis
pense with the services of Conkling, that the
Senate is too evenly balanced to part with
| Senator so practiced and servceable to the Re-
publican party. and they claim that with fair
treatment at the hands of Garfield Conkling
| will support the Administration much more
effectively than any any other Senator in the
body They feel sure of his being reelected.
but are only anxious to have the vote as nearly
unanimous as possible. They claim clear
majority of the LOG Republicans and expect to
hold caucus. As the thing looks tonight
everything depends upon this caucus. If all
the Republicans go into this caucus the proba-
bilities are that Conkling will get majority
of the votes, and then, according to custom, !
the nomination must be made unanimous; but,
it is sald the Administration members will not
attend this caucus or be committed by its &C.
ton.
The declaration by the morning Express, the
State paper and stalwart organ, to-day that
Conkling will belittle himself if he enters the
canvass asking for reelection, caused no little
surprise AT first it was thought the article
was inspired by Gov. Cornell, but this is de-.
MED, and it is stated on good authority that it
is only the individual opinion of one of the
editors.
The Administration members tonight reit-
Grated their declarations of last week that they
will not go into caucus with the stalwarts. If
this programme is carried out and both Sec
llOnS SCanQ apart, tne democrats voting Tor
their own candidate, deadlock will be pro-
duced which will last perhaps for weeks. The
last new candidate, j. H. Starin, of Montgom-
cry county, is said to be friend of both Conk-
ling and Garfield, and is urged as a compro-
mise.
E. Fl Carpenter tonight says Conkling and
Platt are sure to be reelected, thatfthere will
be caucus and all but two or three take part
in the proceedings.
The following is copy of the leading edi-
torial that will appear in the Morning Express
tomorrow:
There need be nor shall there be any question or
doubt where the Express stands in the Senatorial
fight. 1t has always been stalwart and is now
more staIwart than ever and is first, last and until
the contest shall be terminated for the stalwart
leaders. Roscoe Conkling and Thomas c. Plat,
and most heartily approves and endorses their
course; and we most earnestly appeal to every Re-
publican member of the legislature to accord them
that support they richly merit by standing st cad
fast to true Republican principles.
The assembly Republicans caucus commit
tee sent an invitation to the Senate caucus
committee to meet them but the latter return
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