The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-12-02
ooNKL1Ne, BELMONT, TOWNSEND

Even his enemies must admit that Mr..
Roscoe Conklings political methods are
open and straightforward compared with
the tortuous windings and twistings of his
rival Mr. Blaine He has also an exceed
ingly forcible way of expressing his dis
gust of deceit in politics. and what adds
point to his remarks is the fact that he
himself has frequently suffered from
treachery and fraud
Among the democratic candidates for
congress from the city of New York was
Perry Belmont, the young man who so
distinguished himself by his attack upon
Blaine in the Peruvian claims investiga-
ton. Naturally enough, Mr., Conkling
felt kindly disposed towards him, and it
therefore required considerable gall in Mr..
Townsend, who was also running as a
democrat in the same district to -beseeeh
the ex-senators active interposition in his
behalf. Townsend offered as an induce
ment for Conklings support that, although
running as democrat. yet if elected, he
would pledge himself to act with the re
pubGcans. What followed is best told by
Mr. Conkling himself:
Mr.. Townsend stated that he propos-
ed to get a nomination from certain dem
ocrats. who would style themselves indie
pendents.- and then, if the republicans
would indorse him, he if elected, would
act with the republican party. stated to
NJ +. Townsend, first, that I was and for
nearly two years had been entirely cut Of
political life: that had nothing whatever
to do with the political canvass at any
stage or in any way, and that | should
have nothing whatever to do with it in
any event, further that not being res-
ident of the First congressional district |
especially could have nothing to do with
that and still further, that to run as
democrat, nominated by democrats how
ever few they might be. with a secret
purpose, or secret pledges to seek repub-
iican support on condition of acting with
the republicans if elected, seemed to me
unjustiflable and wrong, | also said to Mr..
Townsend that the record of Mr. Belmont
was spch that were | a voter in his district
| would vote for him against any demo
crat whatever Mr.. Townsend after some
persistence brought his call to close.
Some days later, going to the Office at
my hotel to inquire tor letters, | was sud
denly sccost> d by Mr.. Townsend with the
remark MI Pfatf does NOT agree VIII
you about my running in the First
district. To which said; = Mr. Plat
understands such things so well that
| should value his opinion more than
my own. Mr. Townsend entered at once
into arguments and reasons IN favor of
his proposed course, reterating his will
ingness to act with republicans after his
election. | said to him that such a secret
purpose would nut into the canvass an in
gredient of fraud and deceit and wuuld
add to my objections to supporting him
against Mr.. Belmsnt were a resident of
the district
He then asked me if I thought he ought
To withdraw. 1 said to him 60 ndoubt-.E
edlys-that the career Of Mr.. Belmont in !
congress had been tho roughly clean. cour |
ageous and creditable. and that I could |
conceive of no apol ogy, now that Mr.. |
belmont was nominated, for any demo i
Gratis opposing him. Mr.. Townsend then |
stated that were he to withdraw it would /
be said he was bought with DeimOnt's /
money. replied:-'Tf that be true-if, |
after all your years of residence IN the first I
congressional district, your neighbors /
would believe that an honorable and |
straightforward act in you was induced |
by bribery-were / in your place / should /
leave that district and go elsewhere