New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-10
HOW FRAUD PREVAILED.

State understand that it is quite useless to
assert that fraud did not control the Saratoga
Convention Day by day, they go on in that
vein, as if the voters of this State had no In
tellgence, and never saw newspaper Even
Mr. Folger's letter of acceptance it must be said,
betrayed in him an impression that it was
enough to say that the proceedings of the con-
vention were fair on their face. 1t the Stall
wart leaders have any political sense at all, they
must understand that no good can be done by
talk of this kind. 1t would be infinitely
better for them to let the dOings OF that con-
vention sleep in peace, if possible. Whenever
they stir the minds or challenge the memories
of men with such assertions, they render
prompt reply inevitable.
The Saratoga Convention was almost equally
divided-so divided that very few votes for
or against the Administration candidate would
turn the SCALE There were few contested
districts. The decision of these, it was
generally understood, would insure the success
of either party that was strong enough to
carry that decision. But this could be attained
only by the election of the temporary chair
man, who has power to select the Com
mittee on Credentials as he likes. Hence test
on the election of temporary chairman. The
Administration men knew that it was necessary
to confuse their opponents. They therefore
chose q candidate for whom it was supposed
that some anti-Administration delegates might
vote.
This was legitimate political shrewdness.
What followed was not legitimate. The
Administration managers knew that the State
Committee hitherto understood to be con-
trolled by the opposition, could nominated tenn
porary chairman in such way that many del
egates would suppose that he had been agreed
upon as q fair and impartial man. To secure
control of the State Committee they forged
kilograms and proxies, and in that fashion
gained the needed votes. Particularly, they mate
it appear that Collector Robertson, well-known
leader not formerly allied with the Conkling
faction, was represented by proxy in the COM
mittee, and in favor of the candidate proposed.
In that way the votes of some delegates
were influenced. The success of the nominee
of the committee was thus secured by forgery
and fraud and the complete control of the
convention followed as matter of course.
1t does not pay for the Administration
managers to refer to this business. They had
better let everybody forget it who will "On
the face" as Mr.. Folger says, the proceedings
were regular and fair, but that face was a
fraudulent mask The less said about it the
better for the ticket. The majority of the Re-
publicans of this State after having resisted
with success all that patronage and the in
fluence of Federal officials could do, were finally
beaten by forgery only, and that fact will have
to be stated plainly whenever it is SAID or implied
that the proceedings of the convention were
fair.
1t is not good sense for the Administration
managers to abandon strong position for a
weak one. They cannot defend the convention
if they try. They can say that the success of
the Democratic party, even in a State ticket,
is likely to do harm, and urge voters to prevent
it, That they have a right to do. They eau
say that Mr.. Folger is gentleman of excellent
character and of undisputed ability, and ask
people to prefer him to his Democratic op-
ponent. That also they have right to do.
nominated by a fair and free expression of the
will of Republican voters of New York. and
any attempt to set up that false plea will do
them more harm than good. 1t will call out
facts which they had better let sleep. Neither
can they deny that Mr. Folger was nominated
at the dictation of the Administration, and for
the especial purpose of Furnishing Governor
whom the President and Mr.. COnhling did not
like. The less said to the contrary, the better
ers, if they reallywant to elect him.