National Republican., 1881-07-28
The RapubIican 7

w htbNoN bOiitls
The Republican Party OF New York.
As soon as bribery, falsehood, and
treachery have defeated the stalwarts
their enemies prate loudly of having
broken up "the machine" But il the
fruits of the victory cannot be gathered
without aid from the vanquished, then
the latter are besought to come TO the
rescue. This was exemplifed in the New
York senatorial contest. When money
and Offices had debauched the Republi-
can majority, and Half-Breed leaders had
been indicted and held TO bail TO answer
for felony in the use of corrupt appliances
with members Of the Legislature, that fac
tion and it's subsidized recruits set up two
candidates for the Senate and attempted
to compel obedience from Republicans
not of their factien, on The ground thai he
faction had becoms he party. From the 18th
of May until last Friday, the 22d of July,
the Old Guard constantly offered to meet
IN regular caucus of the party and to
abide by its nominations for Senator.
This was arrogantly refused by the in
flated custom-house wing whose leaders
had sworn neverto sit in caucus in which
Mr.. Conkling should be presented as a
candidate. They took the ground that
he had abandoned the Republican party
when he refused to vote to confirm
Robertson for collector, and that his
resignation had endangered the party in
the United States Senate, although he had
one hundred and six out Of the one hun
dred and sixty members of the Legisla-
ture sitting at Albany. But as the weeks
rolled on the custem-hous boss found
himself still in n minority. The new
party with Conkling left out was as power
less as it had been in the past. Out of one
hundred and six Republicans seventy
five were finally mustered for one of the
custom-house candidates, and enough
Democrats stayed out of the convention
to mako that majority. But still the
seat left vacant by Mr.. Conkling re-
mained untitled. The new party was
can members refused to join. Twenty
seven of these adhered to Mr. Conkling.
Every appliance was used. The new
machine creaked audibly. Only Mr..
Conkling could relieve the situation.
His terms were simple. A party caucus
in which all Republicans should sit, vot-
ing for whom they pleased, and all being
bound by the result. This was not
severe or factious ultimatum. 1t was
only demand for the preservation
of the Republican party. The New
York Tribune, speaking for the GUS
tom-house wing, had demanded that the
enemies Of Roscoe Conkling and of Gen
ersl Arthur should form n party, to be
called the Garfield Republicans" and
that to this no Stalwart should be ad-
mitted except upon dsgraceful condi-
tons. Upon this line the battle ragged
hotly The IIalf-Breeds demanded a sur
render Of the twenty-scyen, or of enough
ofthem to elect. The Stalwarts demanded
a surrender of the whole lIalf-Breed
crowd to party usages and party caucus,
Finally the white flag of the custom
house party went up and IN appeal for
help went to the Conkling camp. Meet
US in party caucus and we will obey its
voice, as we have always done," was the
reply. This was most magnanimous.
Had the Stalwart demand for
caucus been needed before members
had sold themselves for plumber
and for place COnkling and Platt
would have been easily renomnated
and on the lst of June reelected. All
this was ignored and the true party men
who had been 50 nisused, caring more
for the cause than for personal wrongs or
wishes, saved the party from disruption
by compelling II caucus of both factions.
The nomination then made became n
party nomination, and TO it every Mem-
Der yielded.
Whatever Of bitterness may be left, the
fact exists that the Republican party of
New York did not split, and its five
hundred and eighteen thousand mem
bers can speak through the next State con-
vention upon all matters of public concern,
1t win be found that the party cannot be
as easily bought rs some ofits representa-
tives have been, and If Senator Conkling
shall see fit TO actively participate in its
deliberations his advice will outweigh a
whole custom-house full Of such men us
Sessions, Woodin and Barber.
In is said that Mike Mcdonald, q rich
Chicago gambler, who is q boss in Demo-
cratic politics there, is about to retire
from business, build palatial residence
on Michigan avenue, and lead henceforh
a respectable life, lie win he able to
labor for the realization Of tho Democratic