New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-06-10
SHARPE AND CONKLING
THAT MEMORABLE CONFERENCE.

frRoN SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRrBUSE.l
KINGSTON. N. Y, Juno 0.-General George II.
Sharpe returned from Albany early this
week. and has since been enjoying the
quiet Of home life. To-day he was visited by -
correspondent of TIE TRIBUNE, TO whom
he made comprehensive statement respect
ing the candidacy of Mr. Conkling for reelection TO
the Senate and his own relation to that candidacy.
General Sharpe said:
" II has not been convenient for me up TO this
time to reply to the manifold press letter TO Mr..
Conkling, copies Of which appeared last Fri
day in The Ner- York Herald. In an interview
preceding the publication Of these letters. Mr.
Conkng spoke of a certain libel which had OPP
peared in The Kingston Freeman concerning him.
and which seemed TO consist of three parts, two
only of which need notice by me First, that he
became a candidate for reelection of his own head,
and not by the advice wish of party associates;
second that friends and supporters from time to
time urged him to desist and withdraw. and that
lie refused to do And Mr.. COnkliag adds:
Each Of these charges is without truth and pos
iiively against truth The letters in last Fridays
Herald seem to have been published for the purpose
Uf sustaining Mr.. Conklings denial Of the first al
legation. and of 6xIng upon me the main RESPONSE
bility of having advised his candidacy for reeec-
ton. Indeed, it would appear from their account
| was the only person who had anything to say.
"Whst l now say to You in rrpIy is this: Mr..
Conkling resigned for the purpose of being a cand
date for reelection. He sought to introduce into
American politics the English method of resigning
and obtaining reimbursement from his constitu-
ency, in order that he might wage war upon the
Administration untFammeled by party Obligations.
So true this that his friends in Albany were IN
formed by the most expeditions methods special
messenger sent from Washington to Albany
bearing the letters of resignation, and from that mes
senger it ascertaned that Mr.. COnkliEg ex-
pected immediate steps to be taken by his friends to
insure his reelection ] was myself informed from
Washington that he was 10 De reelected. was also
asked to invite him by telegram to meet his friends
in New-York to consult about the steps to be taken.
/ refrained from sending any such tel gram Others
were urged to send teiegrams of like purport But
at least prominent friend Of Mr.. COIkling also
refrared from doing so. It was notorious in Albany
that tho messenger who brought the resig-
nations stated without reserve that re-
election was expected by the resigned Senator'S.
The day after the receipt Of the designations, meet
ing held of members of the Assembly under
stood to be Sawarts to consult in regard 10 future
action An effort had been made TO secure the at
tendance of all who were looked upon as Stalwarts,
but less than fifty attended. OF these some left the
room before the meeting adjourned without giving
any reason. diversity of sentiment appeared
among those present and felt called upon to pro-
tect from attack such members as announced that
they could not vote for Mr.. Conklings reelection.
Indeed SO much apprehension felt for the future
of the Republican party that / used my influence
in the interests of harmony, and notwithstanding
the explicit information which had, and which
others had and which was open to everybody in
Albany, that a reelection was expected, Iexpressed
myself as being in hopes that We would not be
called upon 10 meet such an ISSUE This meeting
was described by Mr.. Congdon, chairman of tho
Judiciary Committee, in his letter of May 20, pub
lshed in The Bnfaio ETpress
The condition of things in the Legislature was
not what it had been at the beginning of the session,
nor later when we controlled the Assembly by an
unparalleled majority. We were ready to adjourn
after long and exciting session of five months.
Those members who had not been well placed on
committees were disaifected, those whose favorite
measures had failed were disappointed, the contest
between Messrs. Platt and Crowley had lett marked
effects aud the Street Cleaning bill had nearly split
us in two. Some excuse might be given for our
on that bi but it is better to admit that IL
was a bunder. Impressed by the force of these
facts went TO New-YOrk IN the hope that when
they to be presented to our friends some other
conclusion would be reached than the one which
day alluded to In the septuple letter l
went to General Arthurs house in the
afternoon. he was engaged, think,
writing letters in his library upstairs, and while
was waiting in the paror Mcssrs. John f. Smyth
and Charles NJ. DennIsOn came to call also-not to-
gether but nearly ut the same time. Their arrival
think preceded that of any other callers except
myself These gentlemen and myself had an earn
est conversation with reference to the iulpending
struggle Mr. Dennison had been present at the or
ganizaion of the Legislature in the canvass for tho
Speakership and during the canvass between
Messrs Platt and Crowley. / think no man in the
State not a member of the Legislature knew as
many members of the Assembly as he. Mr.. smyth
had taken part in both canvasses, more particularly
in the latter, aud was well informed concerning tho
temper of members We agreed that Mr.. Conkling's
resignation was blunder and his present csndi-
dacy for reelection greater one; and from our in
innate knowledge of the members and their views,
we came to the conclusion unanimously that Mr.
Conklng's reelection problematcal.
And assert that it was there agreed upon and
understood between Messrs Dennison, Smyth and
myself that If it were possible we would present.
facts to Mr.. Conkng to change his mind. We did
indeed discuss with much seriousness fhe difficulty
of presenting any fact TO Mr. Conklng that did not
coincide with his wishes. Mr.. Dennison in particu-
lar gave illustrations OF TINS from mis- knowledge OK
the extraordinary demands that Mr.. Conkling was
accustomed to make from time 10 time upon bis
friends in Utica. and of the fact that he Mr. Denn-
som had been often obliged TO disregard snch re-
auisitions by Mr.. Conkling and do the best he
could Before any other callers came, il was agreed
between these gentlemen and myself that we would
support each other, if the opportunity occurred.
in representations calculated to induce
Mr.. Conklng to stand by his resignation.
When Others arrived, the consultation be-
tween Messrs. Dennson. Smyth and myself
ceased and conversation became general. When
Mr. Conkng came he as Is usual with him, sub