New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-09-29
THE CONTEST IN OSWEGO.


,rpoN AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT THE TRIBUNE.l
oswEGo n. Y, Sept. 2S.-The Republicans of Os-
,raco County bear the distinction of being the first
N the State to open the fall campaign by an inter-
raciue strife in their own ranks. For nearly six
weeks bitter contest has been waged here between
the Couklng and anti-Conkling Republicans. and
Il has resulted in numerous contests which cullni
mated Yesterday in the election of two sets of dco
yates to Inc State Convention from the Ist Assem-
lly District. In the Hid Assembly District tho
"stalwarts were SO few in number, and without
the aid of the trained organizers which they have i'll
The Ist District. that no contest was made; cOnSc-
oueutly the Hid District elected u strong anti
Conkling delegation to the State Convention, with
Assemblyman Steele at its head.
The trouble in the Ist District, which COM
prises the city of Oswego and few
outlying towns, is outcome of the strug-
Gle in Albany last spring, which was thought
to have made an end of " bossism' in the Rcpubli-
can party in this State. Whether that result has
been achieved or not is apparently open question:
and the strife here is attempt to settle it far
as Oswego is concerned. This city has been
garded as one of Mr. Conkling's strongholds al
though there has been division in the ranks
since he first become the dispenser of Federal pat
rouage. Some years ago the opposition to the una
chinen growing tired of its rule and the course Of
its organ here, started another newspaper called
The Press. Charles North, Judge Churchill and
other prominent Republicans were stockholders in
this paper After il had been in exis stence two or
thrre years peace declared and the two Repub-
lean newspapers were consolidated into what Is
now known as The Ostcego Times John A. Place
the editor of this paper, then appointed post
master by President Grant and for time peace
reigned because the Conkling men were allowed
their own way. President Hayes, however. did not
continue Mr. Place in the post office; he also ap-
pointed Collector of the Port in opposition
TO the wishes OF Mr.. Conkling. Because of that
Mr.. Places newspaper never ceased to wage war
the administration of President Hayes. George B.
Sloan, who enjoyed the confidence of this commu-
nifty to the fullest degree believed in sustaining the
Republican Administration, and i'll tins he
tained by majority of the party here When Mr.
Sloan retired from the Legislature, declining Il
nomination, he favored-as did all of his friends
the nomination of Patrick w. Cullinan as hs sue
cessor. Mr. Culllnan is young lawyer who has
won the esteem of the people of 0swcgo by his
rect habits and his honorable efforts to raise him
self in his profession. He was elected by large
ever his Democratic competitor and
elected last year.
In the meantime President Garfeld's administra-
ton had succeeded that of Mr.. Hayes. AS soon as
it become evident that Mr.. Conkling was not
to control the Federal patronage here he did
under Pre- sident Grant, the machine leaders were
greatly disappointed and Immediately began to de-
nounce the President Mr.. Place who had been APP
pointed CANAL Auditor by Governor Cornell,
tinued through his newspaper the same strain of
opposition to President Garfield that had been
shown to President Hayes. His influence in Albany,
constantly exerted on Assemblyman Cullinan, aud
that of Thomas S. Mott, the member of the State
Committee from this city, induced Mr.. Cullinan to
take a course which not only disappointed his
friends here but greatly msrepresentcd his district
Mr. Culinan continued to vote for The return of Mr..
Conkling to the Senate until the very last day of
that unfortunate contest. He went further,
and after Mr. Miller had been elected to the Senate
yoted with the Democrats to adjourn the Legislature
without filling Mr.. Conkling's place.
During President Garfeld's long illness George B.
Soan Mayor Failing, Collector Fort, ,. B.
johnson and other emi9Tent Republicans i,,';L,
istration aided in starting The Moraiag Erpress
In order that the Administration Republicans might
have newspaper to express their views. This act
that has since been going The " stalwarts " de-
manded that % in the interest of harmony" Assem-
blyman Cullinan and Senator WinslOw. who stuck
out in the Legislature for Mr.. Conkling until the
very last moment, should be renominated This was
eans did not believe in. Many of them, however.
Including MIR. Sloan. personally friendly to
Mr. Cullnan and would have conceded his renon-
manded. AS IT was no candidate was brought out
IN opposition and no organized effort was made TO
defeat him. All sides were willing TO give he nom
mstion to Mr. Sloan if he desired IT, but he refused on
account of his business interests The trained workers
OF the machine" then set out in determined man.
ner 10 carry the caucuses Having the committees
IN their own hands they had an advantage which
they made the most OF. Canal Auditor Place was
on hand and all the canal influence that could bo
slow
The opposition made no canvass but the eau
cHses resulted IN split III nearly every ward III the
city The Garfield Republicans claimed tina the
machine carried some of the caucuses by Democratic
Votes, one by the chairman deciding against the
majority ana refusing 10 entertain tnelr inOtonS,
and others by like means. There were in this way
cohtesting delegations elected to the county and
uislfict conventions. There is no doubt whatever
thas many Democrats took part in these caucuses.
lac County Convention was held some time ago
ana the contests from this city were decided III
lSycf OF the machine, except III one ward, where the
euaIrnan held 10 have carried the convention Tor
E,s otaiwarts by merely deciding again tne majority.
rom that ward the conteSting delegation was ad-
mtted There was no contest IN che county Con
ssenton over nominations, good men, not strongly
ideutihed with either side, being nominated Tor the
various county offices. The feeling OF the Stall
warts, however was manifested the next day by
the claim OF q great Stalwart victory"
The District Convention TO elect delegates to the
ot'te Convention met III TINS city yesterday, ana
nsrsalied nrlied IN split at The ontset: John L. Mott,
chairman of the District Committee claimed the
nght To name the temporary chairman OF the Con-
rention irrespective of the wishes OF the delegates
vi course this to gain control OF the committee
vi contested seats, important point where 80
many contesting delegates were present, Ihe anti
macnine men refused TO submit TO TINS kihd oi ma
WINE tactics, and ~ Mr. Mott would not entertain
tler motion TO substitute ID. w. Gardner IN place
VI a. Z. Msttoon, whom he named, there was
uoube at once Mr. Howe put the motion for Mr..
gardner and declared 1T carried. Mr. Mattoon and
nf. Gardner both assembled tho platform, anu the
sesuit was that two conventions were heid III inc
saile hall. The machine convention elected dele
9aton to the State Convention headed by L. w.
pullman. The anti-machine delegation includes
SSx-Speaker Sloan, Mayor Failing, ex-senator Doo~
iitte. w. S. Gage and Q. B Benson. full conyen-
% Myn consists of eighty delegates and the machine
ISled S,, s TO have forty-se, en- regniariy eecleu
place OF delegates acting with the other SIDE ne