New-York tribune., 1881-07-17
DUTY H4LF PERF0PuED

The Republicans of New-Y oIk are to be con-
graduated, because their almost unanimous
wish has at last prevailed i'll part. The cxpec-
tatIons OF a final division among those who have
so long supported Mr. Conkling, and resisted
the election of anybody else, were not erroneous.
On Saturday Speaker Sharpe announced his de-
termination to support the candidates named
by the Republican caucus, and MeSSrs. Baker
and Sisson followed him in voting for Mr.. Lap
ham. Mr.. Miller was at elected to fiji the
long-term vacancy created by the resi- signation of
Mr.. Platt, receiving three votes more than the
number necessary for choice. 1t is to be
hoped that wise counscls will prevail, and that
the desire of Republican constituencies will be
expressed and respected so that the remaining
vacancy may be filled early this week
1t is evidently the hope of some of those who
have been supporting Mr.. Conllling that, one
Administration Senator having now been
chosen, they may be permitted to name the
other. But a little reflection must convince
them that it is far too late to hope for any such
arrangement. For four weeks or more, wi lie
they were wasting time in voting for Mr.. Conk-
ling it was possible at any time for them to
name one of the Senators, provided they had
given their support to any worthy and capable
Republican except the two persons who had
resigned. If they had proposed to unite with
the majority upon MessIs. Cornell and Depew,
for example, or Fish and Wheeler, the contro-
versy might have been quickly terminated. For
it is the plain truth that the Garfield Rcpubi-
cans have not been contending for favoritc can
didates, striving to divide the party; they
have been willing at any time, prior to the
holding of a caucus, to agree TO such Il compro-
mise that one Senator from each of the two elc-
they appealed in vain to the supporters of Mr..
COnkling to unite with them upon a ticket which
should fairly represent both interests. Their
offers and appeals were spuned. In spurning
them, the supporters of Mr.. Conlling parted
with the power to designate his successor.
Still their wishes would have had much
weight had they taken part in the Republican
caucus. Some of them had promised TO do so
whenever caucus should be held but they
finally refused. The majority was compelled
to act without the aid of the supporters of Mr..
Conkling. 1t placed in nomination two Re-
publican candidates, and from that time had
right to demand, from every Republican
member, loyal support for those nominations
Then the last opportunity for expressing the
preferences of the supporters of Mr.. Conkling
came to an end They deliberately threw it
away, and can blame no one but themselves if
they are now obliged to vote for Mr.. Lapham
or to go home to their constituents as bolters
and Assistant Democrats. No doubt they regret
the mistake then made. SO Mr.. Conkling, no
doubt, regrets the mistake which he made when
he resolved to fight for reelection to a place
which he had just igned. But in political life
those who make mistakes must accept the con-
sequences. Perhaps Mr.. Conking's friends
might have preferred some other Stalwart to
Mr.. Lapham, but it is now too late for them to
choose.
The question to be settled is whether the
Democratic party shall control the Senate of
the United States With Mr. Miller and the
other votes cast for their candidates at the last
session, the Republicans still lack one vote. If
MIR. Lapham is chosen, the casting vote of the
Nice-President once more gives the majority to
the Republicans 1t is too late to talk of the
election of Mr.. Conkling as possible, either now
or next winter. Under no circumstances can he
be elected and his sensible friends recognize
the fact. They can do nothing more for
him, but they can do something for the Re-
publican party, and their constituents have
right to ask that it shall be done without
further delay. Speaker Sharpe has been one of
the most Jealous, able and pertinac ious friends
of Mr. Conkling, but he now recognizes his duty
to the Republican party. There is reason to be-
hevo that other members who have acted with
him will join him this week in bringing tbe
contest to the only honorable termination that
is now possible, by electing Mr.. Lap pham to the
remaining vacancy.