New-York tribune., 1881-07-19

The Garfield EcpuDl1canS rencWcu tHc
Senatorial contest with spirit yesterday, and
are confident that Mr. Lapham will be
elected soon. He lacked only five votes
of a majority yesterday. The Conkling
men are downcast apd are doing little to avert
their leaders defeat. Senator elect Miller lrls
received several cOhgratulatory kilograms and
continues to gain political influence. He has
completely refuted the calumny that he had
deserted from the Union Army.
THE GENERAL SITUATION.
THE STRUGGLE RENEWED WITH CONFIDENCE BY THE
ADMINISTRATION MES-FEEBLE REsIsrANCE-A
MEMBER WHO PLEADS "CUssEDSEss "-DUTCH
ER's DOINGs.
lBY TELEGRAPH TRIBUNE.l
ALBANY, July 1S.-The contest over the Senator
ship recommended with increased fury tonight 1t
may be said, however, that the fury all on one
side. While the Administration members
were actively at work seeking five
votes for Mr. Lapham, the supporters
of Mr. Conkling stolidly awaiting the attack
They attempted attack III return. Everyone
would laugh at the idea of gaining II vote for Mr..
Conkling. Where one body of combatantS is not
only aggressive but far superior in numbers, and
the other body but fcebly reSsts. the end
of such combat cannot be far distant.
There is singular excuse for not voting
for Mr.. Lapham just now made by some of
Mr.. Conklings adherents who express an
intention of eventually voting for him. They
say that if they go over to Mr.. Lap
ham now it will be ascrbcd to Speaker
Sharpes influence, and this influence they are not
willing should be Acknowledged Politicians say
that these men desire to have the credit of going
over to Mr.. Lapham upon their own motion in order
to ngratate themselves with Mr.. Lapham and Mr..
Miller. In two three days there will be a sufi-
cient gap of time between General Shapes de-
cison and their TO declare that there has been
connection.
This idea of depriving the Speaker of all credit
for the election of Lapham and Miller is favo-
rite with Mr.. Conkng's supporters. 1t is
about the only hit of effective malice that
they have left The Speaker meanwhile bears
all their abuse unflinchingly, conscious that he did
his duty a representative of the Republican party
in the Legislature, although at the great cost of
severing precious friendships His friends say
that Senator Conkng's claim to be his political
benefactor is very mistaken All the gratitude
he Mr. Conllling is solely some aid in
being elected Speaker the present year. Recon-
pcnse at once demanded in the composition
of the committees, and the Speaker so faith
fully complied with the demand as to almost
ruin them. All through the winter tho con-
sttution of the committees has caused the Speaker
embarrassment. The Speakers appointment as Sur
veyor of the port of NewYorl and Marshal of the
First District came from General Grant. The
positions were .due to acquaintance with General
Grant in the army, ana were not bestowed by Sena-
tor Conkling The abuse of the Speaker now by Mr.
Conklings supporters only renders him a moro
earnest defender OF the interests of Miller
aud Lapham. Effective aid be expected
from him in any attempt to adjourn the Legislature
any scheme to make alliance between Mr.
Conkling's supporters and the Democrats, as
some of the Conklng rreconcilables were hint
ing to-day would be attempted before long. The
Conkling who voted for Mr.. Miller but refuse
to vote for Mr.. Lapham. recognize the fact that
their position is illogical one. Mr. Jackson one
of their number, said this afternoon II can't
explain my present attitude except the ground of
'cussedness.'" AS the week wanes it is believed by
the Garfield Republicans that the cus,cdness" will
weaker. There really is strong effort being
made on the part of Mr.. ConklinSs supporters to
prevent his defeat. One about the hotels few
of those " workers" who formerly brought the palm
of victory to Mr.. COnkling
MR.. BUTCHER OvER-zEALoUs
The only worker" visible about the halls of the
Oelavan House tonight Silas i}. butcher the
Superintendent Of Public Works This man seems
strangely forgeful of the circumstances under which
his office established. The people had swept away
the three Canal Commissioners and the entire sys-
tenn of fraudulent contracts for canal work by which
the Canal Ring had enriched themselves. In place
OF this system they desired to establish one which
would be free from political influence. They put
the canals Ill charge of one man and
gave him ample power to conduct them
economically In complete freedom from politics. So
general the belief that the people meant to take
the canals out of politics that in the first bills before
the Legislature i'll relation TO the powers of the
Superintendent of Public Works hc was directly
forbidden to make political appointments or use his
power for political purposes, under penalty of i'm
peachment and removal. Mr.. butcher has appa-
rently forgotten all this for he has emphaticallv
brought the canals into politics. To-day he is
the main stay of the COnkling party in
resisting the election of Lapham and
Miller In January, and again in May June
and July he has given his time almost exclusively to
using his influence toward elccting this or that
Conklng candidate for Senator. If the Legislature
were not on the point of adjOurning il is likely
charges Looking to his impeachment would be pre-
scnted to the Governor.
Senator Mills introduced in the Senate to-day his
Dill providing Tor special election Of Congress-
men 1t was made special order for to-
morrow morning, and will probably be
passed during the day. The Administration leaders
are entirely confident of electing Mr. Lapham the
present week. In consequence of the attitude of
To above, the election may be delayed two or three
days but before The end of the week it must come
such assurance OF support for Mr. Lapham has been
Ieceived as leave no doubt of his ultimate election.
peculiar to the man, has instituted vigorous
canvass for votes for Mr. Lapham All
ane wires bringing news about the move
ments OF the Administration workers may be
changed position as candidate merely and
as Senator-elect shown tonight in tile
% VISITS that were continually made to his
rern rOon ~, Dy & supporters OF Mr. Conkling There
cians already having some favor to ask Observers
Si Mr. Miiiers conduct of "a political conflict here
naSe noticed that IN the secresy of his move
nents he rivals Mr. Conklings chief supporter He
does not go about with Chinese gono