New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-07-01
SCHEMES OF COMPROMISE.

The scenes which are now of daily occur
renee in the joint Convention show with
sufficient clearness the degree of Impotence
and exacerbation to which the minds of the
members are arriving. They are conscious
of their false position. They see the general
discredit into which they are falling among
their constituents. The material losses and
Inconvenience to which they are exposed by
reason of their protracted sojourn in Albany
give them occasion also for anxious thought
They are as eager to get away without loss of
honor or self-respect az the people of the State
are to have them go. Every degree the mer-
curry In the thermometer rises will add to
their hOmesickness, and their impotence will
before long pass beyond control.
Thus far, however, they have appeared to-.
recognize the duty incumbent upon them of
electing Senators, and every proposition to adj
journ on q given day has been voted down by
large majorities. The Democrats of course,
are excepted from this statement They want
an immediate adjournment under circum-
stances which, as they hope, will carry Repub-
lican dissensiOns into the Legislative canvass
next autumn. certain number of the more
reckless and unprincipled followers of Mr..
COnkling are DESTROYS to assist the Democrats
in this way, so as to do the most damage
possible to the party they have been unable
to rule. But it does not as yet appear, and
we do not believe it can be shown, that
all the members hitherto classcd as Conk-
ling men are willing to join their leader
in policy openly inimical to the interests of
the Republican party in the State and the
Nation. There ought to exist, therefore, in
the Legislature, the elements for an under
standing between the Republicans who have
been voting for Wheeler and Depew, and the
Republicans who have been dividing their
votes among Conkling and Plat and half
dozen others. There is then no reason for
wonder in the rumors of proposed or possible
compromises which have become more general
during the last few days, in proportion to the
increase of discomfort and impatience in the
sudden rise of temperature.
Some compromises are possible, Others are
not. The people of this State have accepted
the designations of Senators Conkling and
Platt. There is no luminosity felt in New
York against our junior Senator. He went to
Washington with great opportunity, which
he did not improve, and as he elected to be
an appendage to Mr.. Conlxlng in all his for
tunes, there is general acquiesccnce in his
desire. No compromise which provides
for the return of Mr.. Conkling to the
Senate can be considered for moment
But we think we hazard nothing in saying
that any other two prominent Republicans,
known and trusted by the people and the
party, who may be elected by this Legislature,
will go to the Senate with the cheerful and
cordial approval of the Republicans of the
State Certainly, THE TRIBUNE, and the wide
CONSTITUENCY for which it has the right to speak,
has no especial candidate, and never has had
one. We desire that two Republicans may
be chosen as promptly as possible, who will
give self-respecting support to the Admins
tration we all labOred to elect, and, provided
they are men of good character and standing,
we have little choice as to persons or localities
The way in which this desirable end is tor
be attained is not easy to devise. But we do
not at present see what evil result could fol-
low from conference of Republicans in which
there should be a frank interchange of views
and an open and Uipa coce expression of pref
erenccs. secret ballot, owing to the pecu-
liar circumstances in which many members
find themselves, is out Of the ques-
ton. The people of this State have de-
clared, with clearness which is rare in our
political history, their decision that Mr. Conk-
ling shall be taken at his word and shall
make room for some one who may avoid his
errcys ana .Ay member who chooses to vote
against this instruction ought to be honest
enough to do it openly and without skulking.
1t is barely possible that such an arrangement
might fail to accomplish its Object-an agree
ment OF all the sincere Republicans in the
Legislature; but even in that case no harm
will have been done, and we should be
no further from the wished-for end than