The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-05-23
THE SITUATION.
A Split in the Republican
Party.
corkling's action but renewal Of
the Grant Fight.


s.In addition to the companionship of
the Vice President, which is constant, Mr..
Conlxling receives very few persons. Sen
ator Jones, David Davis, Don Cameron
are reported to have been the only senators
who have visited him since Monday. Mr.
Jones friendship is so stubborn as to be
the occasion of frequent comment. Jones
has no favors to ask of the President, and
is not seeker for patronage Andif he
was, and the granting of it was contingent
on supporting the administration, Mr.
Jones would probably spurn it with an ex.
preston which he is not afraid to use.
There is probably not senator in Wash
ing who has secured the appointment of
fewer men in the departments than Roscoe
Conkling. There may be a few Democratic
senators who have obtained no patronage
here. 1t would be hard to find single
government employee to-day who could be
induced to say friendly word for Mr.
Conkling. II he has had any warm friend
in the departments; they have to man
seemingly deserted him as suddenly as
some of the men few weeks ago shouted
to hoarseness for him in New York State.
He sits here almost solitary, seemingly un-
disturbed by the storm he has raised. Yet
that he takes great interest in it and the
expressions of public opinion which are
voiced by the press, is evident, from the
fact that he is a close reader of newspapers
and of many newspapers. If, after read
ing newspaper article he folds the paper
and puts it away, it is certain that he has
seen something there of value for future
reference.
Of the vast amount of conjectures which
one who moves among public men hears,
se 1oo IL,
mise regarding Mr.. Conkling s immediate
and more remote purposes. This is one of
the strongest tributes to the influence
which Mr.. Conkling has exerted and still
exerts. 1t is made all the more conspic-
uous by the absolute obseurity into which
Mr. PIatt has gone. But what are Mr..
Conkling's purposes? That he has them
clearly defined, and that he has the path to
their accomplishment well laid out, is GER
tain. The very fact that they may be diff
cult to accomplish gives to them Zest.
No one here who knows Mr.. Conkling
doubts that he intends for some time to
come to play the part of public man, or
at least to take hand in public affairs.
But Just how, where, and when? Word
comes here from Albany that he is not a
candidate for reelection. In one sense
this is absurd There is no doubt at
all that Mr.. Conkling would be gratified if
the Republicans would nominate him and
Mr.. Platt, and would accompany the nomi-
nation with an endorsement of his action
stated in explicit terms Thus reelected,
Mr.. Conkling feels that he would be justifi'
ed in taking such stand respecting the
as the circumstances of his
reelection warranted. But Mr.. ConklIng
knew very well when he resigned that
~ bo + c1 of Of
Y York was against him, and that a very con-
siderable element of the Republican party
in the Legislature would leave no stone
to prevent his return. Mr.. Conkl-
ling, further than this, knew that the whole
power of the Administration would be
brought to seduce some of his friends, He
knew that this would be more or less sue
cessful; he was quite ready to find out who
his friends were.
Mr.. Conkling declines absolutely to say
anything either respecting his own pur-
pose or his impressions of those of Mr..
Blaine. That he recognizes all this trou-
BILE as having been precipitated by Mr..
Blaine through the President is undisputed
by his friends. Yet there are some things
which may be said which would probably
not be said very differently were Mr. Conk-
ling TO consent to an interview. Two or
three things have been very forcibly sug-
gested to him. One is the forgetfulness
which seems 70 characterize Republicans,
far and wide of the fact that this is ser
icus, probably fatal, schism in the Repub-
IAN party, He tried to make that plain
: hat he said to the caucus last caucus
It the party seems to look on war
ay' o. & kind as little thing which will
ale .! III state event. Another thing that
: an lillLllet' as spoken of to his closest
u, Sonhiii,s !. ne unanimity with which
iehqs mas peen l. ~ess throughout the
ne Democratic p, al the persistence
ountry has applauo> hown. That is a
ghich the President has 5 have GET Re
circumstance which should posident now
ublicans to thinking. The Pr 1Ways fol
receiving the approval which a. W very
yell that it is one of those victories w ~
i've concern to those who see furtht
head than the hour It is only necessary
D recall the history of two or three Admin
STATIONS to show that a victory has often
cen followed by the wrecking of the
administration and of its party.
There is no question but what the Presi-
ent several times informed Senators that
e was disposed to compromise. He did
0 even after the caucus of last Thursday,
ut in each instance the master of the Ad-
1inistration compelled the President to re-
udiate his promises Garfield was reed
haken by the wind, and the blast was one
hat came from Maine. When the Sena-
ors protested they were promised the Exc
utive patronage if they gave their support,
nd were threatened with Executive dis
avor if they withheld it.
Mr. Conlxling saw that, between these
ribes and threats, the support which he
ad been at first encouraged to look for
vas leaving him At the same time a cry
vas going throughout the land, startling
rom the White House and the State De-
,artment, that the President was determin-
d to defeat bossism and to crush the ar
ogant pretensions of Mr.. Conkling. 1t
vas an issue largely brought about by the
ctions of the Senators who led Mr.. Conk- |
ing to suppose they would sustain him.
At the last moment Mr.. Conkling dis |
overed that the President by bribes |
nd threats and by such |
,ublic announcement of his kcoerciye |
Intentions as the withdrawal of the New
FORK nominations, had obtained the sup |
,ort of nearly every Senator, that the
Ienate was going to help the President
rush bossism whining piteously that they
we're compelled to stand against him. He
-opld have his vote that of his colleague