The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-06-29
CONKLING l.
And Devotes n Little Time to the Corrupt
Half-Breeds and Monopolies.

And DeyOteS n Little Time to the Corrupt
and Monopolies.
ALBANY, June 22.-Conkling and Plat
were both present at the Stalwart conference
last night, and the former addressed the
meeting at some length. His remarks were
mainly directed to counseling his hearers to
be steadfast to the party of true Republican
ideas and principles, and to beware of the
corrupt group of politicians who are striving
to destroy that party and its prestige. He
warned them against the men who are APP
preaching them with corrupt enticements,
and referred in this connection to the brib-
cry investigation in progress before the As
sembly Committee and the Grand Jury. He
said that true Republicans should disdain TO
employ such means to accomplish any ends
as have been employed by the supporters of
Depew. After dwelling upon the growing
power of m~onopolies in this country, he
spoke OF the various corporate in
~1uences that have been arrayed
against the Stalwarts. He said it was al
most inevitably a severe task to fight
wealth, but more especially was it difficult
to do so when the millions were unscrupu-
lousy used by corrupt agents. He thought
the time had come for true Republicans TO
put themselves on record upon this subject,
and affirmed that he has no doubt of the
final result of the contest between corrup-
ton on the one hand and honesty on the
other.
The power of railroad corporations has
grown immensely in the United States. and
it is mostly to be feared when it undertakes
to debauch sworn Legislators. Whenever
such a state of affairs is at hand there can be
no doubt of the duty of every true lover of
his party and his country. The system of
corruption, no matter by whom counte-
nanced, should be exposed, denounced and
olAo1vD1 or1 m NO .nnnrnf ChnnlA 0nU mn
be shielded from the consequences of such
great crimes.
Mr.. Conkling then alluded to some of the
persons who nave been acting as the leaders
of the half breeds, and then asked if n
honorable man can for one moment think
of compromising with such notorious char
acters. He drew attention TO the testimony
already given before the Assembly Bribery
Committee, and commented upon certain
parts of it in detail. If there is anything
that should distinguish a Republican, it
should be his personal honesty. This should
be particularly the case il, as in the present
instance, official positions are occupied by
those who represent the party, and yet men
presuming to be Republicans have become
notorious as lobbyists for the purpose of
furthering their own selfish purposes and
for no other end.
If this condition of affairs is to continue,
where will the country go? What will the
party be?What guarantee will the people have
that the Republican party, which saved the
Union and emancipated the slaves, is
honestly e~ndeavoring to benefit the entire
| people? Where can the citizens of the State
of New York find a party to fight their bat
ties against corporate ~monopolies and
against bribery and corruption in every
form, whether in Albany or elsewhere? He
] left the question to be answered by all who
heard him, as they might consider right.
So far as he is concerned, he confessed that
he could see no hope for any party or
clique of men which stands out with bri-
berry as its cornerstone, and the acts OF Its
lobby as its decorations. He hoped, he sim
cerely hoped, that the charges of pro.
fuse use of money in the Legisla'
ture are untrue. He could not help
however, admitting, that from the testimony
already taken, he is thoroughly convinced
that there is cause to be vigilant ana care
full. He would particularly warn all Re
publicans against prostituting public offic'
for money or patronage.
Mr.. Conkline dwelt forth Upon topics o
corporate monopolies, and official corrup
tons which they induce. in the most earnes
manner. He desired that his words shoul'
produce the most profound impression o
which they were capable. 1t was only a
the repeated request of some of his friend
| that he had consented to attend the cor
: ference and he was induced to speak onl
| after much entreaty, but ne considered
1 his duty to warn his friends against the III
scrupulous attempts which have been mad
: to prevent free expression of opinion on tn
S part of Senators and Assemb1ymen of tn
State of New York as to who sha
be elected to the United States Senat
He opposed any combination with the o.
3 iect of electing a Stalwart coupled with
/ half-breed Senator. If two Republican Sc
le ators were elected, they must be pure Sta
warts and men whose characters were abo'