New-York tribune., 1881-09-01
THE STATE CONVENTION,


The question whether State Convention
shall be held on one day as against another,
or In one place as compared with another is
not of great Importance, and the action of the
Republican State Committee yesterday in is
suing call for the State Convention to meet
In this city on the 5th of October does not in
itself present any points of deep significance
The Committee has respected the sentl
ment, to which THE TRIBUNE was among
the first to give expression, in favor of a late
convention. In the present condition of poll
ltlcs an early Convention is unnecessary, and
late Convention is expedient. The election
occurs on the Sth of November, and the Com
mittee has selected date for the Convention
which will leave nearly five weeks for the
work OF the canvass-enough for all practical
uses And it will do the party no harm to
have still another month OF rest after the con-
fiict at Albany, before meeting again to decide
upon the policy of the ensuing year.
The Committees choice Of place is perhaps
open to more criticism. The idea usually
governing the selection of places for State
conventions is to choose some one of the
smaller cities, as nearly central as circumstances
will allow, in which the delegates can be
gathered cOmpactly together, and the necessary
work OF preliminary canvassing and confer
ring can proceed with little difficulty. Sara
toga at a time when all the hotels are open
is the ideal Convention town. There is
ample and excellent accommodation for any
number OF delegates and visitors. The ho-
tells stand closely together making commu-
nication between the delegates easy and pleas
ant. In New-York, the delegates will be
scattered through, probably, twenty hotels in
different parts of the city, and will have to
traverse long distances, many of them. to
get together. The country delegates, too
are likely to find New-York hotel rates
unsuited to their economical habits, and
may even complain that their railroad fares are
unnecessarily increased. New York for vari-
Gus reasons, has never been q favorite Con-
vention city, and the last political convention
held here was the National Democratic con-
vention of 1o6s. Still such practical Difficult
ties as these can be overcome with the
exercise of little forethought, and some
previous concert of action.
1t is said-and the statement may as well
be frankly met-that the choice of New ork
City was carried through the Committee in
order that the powerful influence of the New
York machine may be used to aid the friends
of Mr. Conkling, and that also Mr. Conk
ling himself, and especially General Arthur.
Convention without being delegates and with
out having any open connection with the
gathering 1t is true that much can be done
IN a great city which would be impossible in
a small one. When the politicians want to
hold conference which shall really be
secret one, they lose themselves in the wilder
ness OF New-Y York. General Arthur, it is said,
could not go to Saratoga to help the enemies
OF the Administration without CAUSING n sec
ond scandal like that of Albany but in New
YORK he could perhaps hold much the same
relations with members of the Convention
without giving tangible evidence of an impro-
prlety. For ourselves, we shall refuse to believe
that he contempates course SO unworthy of
himself, of the high Office he holds. and the
still higher Office to which he NAV vet, by a
dread event, be called. The faith of the peonle
In General Arthur was sorely shaken by his
appearance at Albany as a volunteer in a war
upon the Administration, but that faith has
been largely restored by General Arthur,s
manly bearing during the long uncer-
talnty at Washington. We shall
refuse to believe that, at this time
and with the uncertainty still in exist
ence, he will so far forget the past the pres
ent ana the future as to engage in the in
trigues of Convention. He is at this mo-
IhCHo ooiHttDlHS more JDln wee President.
and he will doubtless govern himself by all the
restrictions proper to the Office which he NAV
yet, unexpectedly and reluctantly, be called to
fill.
And here it may be well to add single word
upon another subject. The desire of all true
Republicans now is for peace. But there
must be two parties to peace as to a quarrel.
There must be no attacks, secret or open,
upon the National Administration. The
friends OF the Administration will not sit in
silence, it its enemies to organize themselves
against it, and are to take advantage of the quiet
OF peace to prepare for war. We hope, how
ever. to see the proof in the selection of del
egates to the Convention that all Republicans
are united i'll the presence of the people's great
afiiiction, and are ready to support with all
their hearts Republican Administration which
promises to be the best since that of Abraham
Lincoln.
THE EGYPTIAN DISCO VERIES
We reprinted from tho London paDers nm