New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-05-18
PREPARING FOR THE sTRUGGLE.

TIE CoNKIING MEN AvERsE To THE ALTERNATIVE
OF MURDER OR NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. TO AID
JOURN THE LEGISLATURE WITHOUT AN ATTEMPT
TO CHOOSE sENATORs-LoOKING Up LAw-AC-
CEssIONs TO ADMINISTRATION RANKS.
fBY TELEGRAPH TRIBUNE.l
ALBANY May 1.-THE Conkling men have been
plainly feeling discouraged all day, perceving that
the current of politics swiftly running away
from them. They now perceive when too late, that
an ex-senator is not as powerful actual Scna-
tor and that ,he National Administration has an
immense influence when it chooses put II forth.
There to be conviction in the minds OF many
of the members of the Legislature that the rule OF
Roscoe Conkling in Republican politics in this
State, which has lasted since 1867, is already n
thing Of the past Many Of the Conkhng
men bitterly reproach the ex-senator for casting
back the contest from Washington to Albany.
They declare that they have suffered many things
for his sake, but they not yet ready to accept
his profer personally Of murder or suicide vote
they state in the Legislature in regard to the Sena-
torships will be closely scrutnzed in their several
Districts and may cause their defeat at the Nomina-
ting Conventions in the fall or even at the polls
Many men i'll order to avoid his cruel test are all
vocating an adjournment of the Leg
lature next week, leaving the seats oi
New-York in the United States Senate vacant i"t
six months This, they argue. would bring the de-
cision Of the dispute betMecn the Administration
aud Messrs. Conkng and Plstt squarcly before the
people. This view, however is not taken by the
leaders of either the Administration party or the
Conklng forces. They are both eager to have test
Of THAR respective strength in the Legislature.
The Conkling men have not yet given mp their
idea Of holding the election for United states Sen
atOr on May -. All day to-day they have been
consulting the law hooks 10 discover II the
notice to the Assembly Of the vacancies in the
United States Senate cannot be construed ~
notice to the Legislature a whole. The Governor
RETAINED from sending the notification to the senate
to-day. as it was Thought he would do. 1t is said
that he will withhold the notification till the law
point is determined whether not the notification
10 the Assembly was sufficient. The Senators main
tain that they must bc officially informed OF the
vacancies aud argue that the GOucrnor recognized
this fact officially when he s,nt his secretary to
their body with the intention Of submitting to
them the notification The Governor has TIL Mon
day night next to make up his mind on the law point
involved
clare that they will not proceed to an election oi
United states Sc ator on Tuesday next, an NJ they
form a majority of the bOIN they can control us
action. They can thus effectively block any ei,c-
ton OF Senator. -
The Conkling members Of the Legislature are
holding caucus tonight in the rooms of the Orhnt
Club signi6cant namcl, in Broadway. ~
is known to be sinly att' nded
caucus, but the actual number OF lnsmbers pfeseni
is not yet known. Many nembeN hitherto classrd
as COnkling men have not attended, and' 10 the
great annoyance of their party associates are paTad
ing their Indifference IN thr hoel corridors. no
subject of the caucus il said to 6e to determine ino
day for holding the Senatorial election, and also "a
adopt plans to push the waning lor ii oa mi m
the evening and promises - tast far INTO the nght
The Garfield members have responded 10 thls
challenge by having their leaders hold caucus 10
for1 MI for the guidance OF tnflT alialIh
This caucus il now being held IN thr rooms "i
Senator Woodin. Messrs. Fenncr, Sheldon ana
Congdon, Of the Chautauqua and Cattarau gus dele
cation, Tonight announced that they WrTr Tor Inc
Administration, and should support Garfield cairli-
dates for United States Senator
ROBERTSON REPORTED FAVOFABLY.
ONLY ONE NEGATIVE voFE ~ coNXIING's OLD
CoMMIrrEE-Ins COMBINATION PROBABLE To-
DAY.
lBY TELEGRAPH IHInrNE.l
WASHINGTON, May 1.-THE Committee on Com
merce ths morning took up the nomination Of Judgr
Robertson and agreed TO report fay0rably upon H.
IL is understood that only one member Of the COM
mittec-Senator Jones, Of Nevada-disscntcd from
the report. After the nomination reported to
the Senate by the chairman. Mr.. Mcmillan, %
is understood that Senator Jones Of Nevada, OBJ
jected to it's immediate consideration and under the
rule it went over until tomorrow. when it will
that majority Of his committee was against him
in regard TO the Robertson case was one Of the
sons which impclcd Mr. Conkling to resign.
Three weeks ago Mr. Conkling was sure that he
could control the action Of the Committee OF Com
merce, Of which he was chairman and, if he cho-c.
prevent any report upon Judge RobeTtsOn's nOmna-
ton. At the same time his assistant, Senator Platt
felt very that no Senator would dare 10 move
that the Committee on Commerce be discharged
from the consideration of the Robertson nomination.
Mr. COnkling, 1t was declared, was master of the
situation Scarce three weeks have elaDscd, and
the Committee on Commerce haS, by a substantially
unanimous vote. reported fayorably upon that nom
ination, and tomorrow, by an overwhelming major
ity, the Senate will confirm it. Every reason in
favor of confirmation which exists now existed
seven weeks ago. Senatorial courtesy" and that
only has caused the delay.
The nominations of General Merritt and General
Badeau were also reported back from the Committee
on Commerce IN Executive session to-day and
placed on khe calendar. with the Committees recon-
mendatiOn for confirmation. They will be called up
for action by the Senate tomorrow.
The drift Of opinion among Senators Of both par
ties IL that the Sen te will now be able 10 finish ts
work and adjourn sine die thus week There IL con-
siderable speculation as 10 whether the President
will again send 10 the Senate the New-York nonna-
tions which were Withdrawn "A few days nQo IL is
still generally believed that another name will be
substituted for that of Colonel Tyler as Collector at
Buffalo, and that II is somewhat doubtful whether
General McDOugal will be rcndminated for United
States Marshal of the Northern District Of NewYork.
II is probable that "A number of important nOmina-
tions will be sent to the Senate tomorrow or the
next day.
TIE CONKLING CAUCUS
ALBANY May 1.-THE private caucus Of the
Conkling members of the Legislature was attended
by only about thirty-iye membera Drouer of