New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-06-30
A CONFERENCE PROPOSED.

A SMALL BAND or RHPUBIICANs AT WORK - THE
PROJECT REGARDED WITH SOME DIsTRUsT.
lBr TELEGRAPH TO rHE TRIBUSE.l
ALBANY, June pa strong desire is now mani
tested to end the struggle. Most Republicans well
come gladly any suggestion that seems to open q
way to end the conflict before the adjournment OF
the Legislature. Considerable favor is shown to
the idea of holding q caucus conference of the
Republican members concerning tho SenatOrships
for two or three days. This suggestion has mo7e
and moro come into prominence i'll the talks,
of members about the contest. 1t has not yet
met with encouragement from Administration
leaders, nor from Mr. Conkng and his intimate
political friends. Mr.. Conkling himself is reported
to apprchcnd that Mr. Depcw might bc chosen if the
Conkling men should consent to attend the caucus.
The band of twelve or fifteen Republicans who
have won the title of featherhcads," from
their habit OF drifting with every passing
wind Of gossip from ono minor Rcpub-
lcan candidate to another, while rcfraining
from joining any Of tho leading candidates, have
taken the first practical step. Mr.. Phillips, their
leader has been actively engaged to-day circulat-
ing paper for signatures calling for conference
of the Republican members. The paper is pccu-
larly wordcd. 1t declares that conference shall
hc held unless sixty-fvc Republican members sign
the paper that in the conference it shall be agreed
that hfty-four votes for any candidate for
Senator shall secure him the support Of all
the members attending the conference that
tie vote shall be viva one instead OF by
secret ballot as in a caucus and that it shall bc
agreed ly all attending that there shall be one Adj
ministration AMI one Sawart candidate for Scna-
tor chosen 1t s believed by Mr.. Phillips that
making the vote open will do away with the objcc-
tion made by many of the Administration members
that a secret ballot would secure the selection OF
Mr. Cunkling. Up to midnight Mr. Phillips had Sc
cured some ten signatures to his papcr. Nearly all
were inscribed 10y his associate feather heads" The
paper il said to have been signed by MeSsrs Phlp',
Palmer. Hamilton. Gates. C. II. Russell, Beach,
Ben,iss Carcy, Root and Il. NJ Tu,tlc. The COnk-
ling men asked time for consideration. Most Of
them said that they thought a caucus the only
rational way of settling the conflict. The Admins
tration rcmbcrs were also reluctant to sign the pa
per at Oncr while declaring that they thought
rather favorable of the suggestion in view Of tic
fact that there was TO he open ballot.
Mr. Root one Of the signers Of the paper spoke of
II at the Administration conference. and u-gcd
those present to sign IL. Little said in reply to
Mr. Root and that not OF "A character committing
the conference OH the sui jcct. Mr Phillips intends
To push his paIcr before the attention Of members
again Tomorrow. Nothing said or done at the
Administration conference beyond u few speeches
in favor of .turlily continuing tie conflict.
Tie Conkling men did moth ng during the
evening b'Iond spreading the rinor tllt
there was 10 br break IN thr
Administration ranks tomorrow 10y which they
hopod to profit. Tie ruinOr was TO the effect that
some of Mr. Whcclcrs forc1S had determined to de-
scrt MIR. Drpcw. pom inquiry among some or
Sir Whcclofe supporters the truth Of the ru;nor was
der tipI