New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-06-17
IBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE rRrBUNE.l

on SUNDAY. MAY 10. 1881, THE DAY AFTER
HIS RESIGNATION WAS DATED-PLATTS SIDE OF
THE STORY.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE rRIBuNE.l
ALBANY, June 16.-A remarkable statement
made by Police Commissioner French, of New
York, about ex-senator Conklings attempt 10
secure reelection has to every ones surprise here,
escaped public notice. Hitherto it has been sup
posed that Mr.. Conkling decided to seek rceec-
tion in New-York on Sunday. May'22 1881, or the
evening before. Now Mr. French declares
in an interview Published by The Ae'c-lort
UOr'd that the reelection scheme was
adopted by Mr. Conk!ng and his political friends,
quoting Mr.. French "a week before Sunday, May
%, 1851 Thus the day must have been Sunday,
May -, 1881. Thea it on this day that Mr..
Conklng determined 10 seek areclection as United
States Senator. If so, hc must have experienced
sudden change OF mind, for, rs is well known Mr.
COnkng's letter of resignation is dated May H.
1881.
Moreover it is evident that he determined 10 seek
reelection before his resignation was made
public, nay, even while his letter
OF resignation was not yet beyond recall. Mr.. VIII
son, his private secretary, says that he did not
leave Washington for Albany till late Sunday
night So late did he leave Washington that the
designations had been made known to the United
States Senate an hour before they were delivered to
Governor Cornell here. il is obvious, however.
;hat the resignation and the desire for reelection
followed each other closely that they cannot he
distinguished. Fear of the disapproval of scrupu-
ous persons led to the dating back of the letter of
resignation to Saturday. May II, although
the letter was written on Sunday, May -.
For as has been stated, Mr.. Wilson remained in
Washington till late Sunday night and then
rushed off TO Albany Mr. Frcnch's language about
this hitherto unknown conference should be given
As regards the time when the decision was arrived
at that Mr. Cookng should go before the Legis-
lature and ask reelection to the Senate, can say
most emphaticallv that that was decided upon
week before Sunday. May %, 1881"
The men who advised Mr.. Conklng 70 resign and
seek reelection were Stephen b. French,
John J. OBrien, Bernard Blglin, Michael Cregan
and several other New-York City politicians
They had been summoned to Washington to give.
their advice by Mcssrs. Conkng and Platt in the
latter part of the week ended May IA, 1881. Al
though unacquaintcd with the temper OF the New
York legislature they said that both Mr. COnllling
and Mr.. Platt could be reelected if they should re-
sign. Mr. ConklIng's neglect to consult with Gov
ernor Cornell, General George II. Sharpc-then
Speaker of the Assembly-Lieutenant-G Governor
HOSkins and Others who knew the actual state OF
mind Of the Legislature was considered
amazing by politicians at the time.
Senator Madleu who was his most active supporter
at the time of his first election; was not consulted
nor were other leadiDg Senators and AssemblYmen.
Among the outside politicians WHO %ero not con-
suited were such faithful and influential supporters
of Mr. Conklng as John T. Smyth, James ID. War
ren. James f. Smart, Gilbert Robertson and c. NJ.
Dennison, all Of whom intimately knew the mem
bers of the Legislature. 1t will doubtless be con-
sidered surprising that Mr. Conkllng reposed such
confidence in the ud gment of men of such low rank
in the Republican party, but in his own
estimation they apparently influential
persons. 1t was his pleasure to
single ont Mcssrs Bicn and Cregan for a conf
dental talk of three-quarters of an hour in the
crow lobby of the United States Hotel at
Saratoga in 1879, an hour before the Republican
State Convention met. Highly distinguished men
with whom Mr. C0nkllng was acquainted passed Oy
unheeded during that time. Such public honor ac-
corded to these men was viewed with general sur
General Sha,pe's request made through THE
TRIeJrNE for Mr.. COnkling TO name the men who
advised him to resign aad ana 5geo Seon feelGe dec
ciJcdly unfriendly. Thomas {. Platt confirms
MIR FTencl's evidence that the cX-SenatOrs resigned
with the intention of securing reelection. lie also
establishes the truth of General Sharpes statement
that Mr. COnkiing sought reelection, and was not
persuaded TO that course by ms friends. MI. flatt
riyes his evidence through he argus of this city.
On sunday May - 1881, writer of The Argus
Lad an interview with HIM in Ncw-Yor on the sub
ject of the designations Ihe interview was printed
Nav "a, 1881, but the identity Of the
man "interylewcd" was not revealed. To-day
JLe firms disclosed IN its editorial columns the fact
fLot MIR Plat was its authority Tor all of It's state
ments IN the NewYOrk dispatch. The dispatch was
as follows:
NEw-YoRIx, May 23.-The resolve OF the regular Re
uublcans the machine, 30 run Messrs Conklng aud
Plat for reelection reached by the leaders IN series
f conferences in NewYOrk, extending through ratur
day and the day following. The designations were no
sudden act they TesON on Ten days before tho
letter was written. As ndltcr OI Ihcu MI Ilatt eA-
pressed the intention 10 teslen hrst 10 MS colleague
Mr. Conkling merely said; Ihen see that we
ar in accord subject. Such also smy Intention
Of course Mr. viii forever get the credit Of having
nm da gooncd into resignng by the more distinguished
,on buf the truth well established that he
nitifive i'm matter himself ana told the President
a. tn fact before he told Mr. COnklng Both senators
I'D hrru aminng the matter OF what they ought do,
Sacn @ 'tt o noincrd il tirst and Mr. Conkng said e
rr.at deal Of bAseess mystery has been worked
1p about the designations l. snoud be borne iii mind
te trsi bo men had reelection steadily II they
cond gel friends 20 see II IN tne same light They
much to the understanding intention OF
her friends not making the e1pec aOn OF reelection
- nlan ms tne fact sIguatlOn Ine omission to do
I'M. vas accidental The letter OF otresSnaon was written
on last SUNDAY wee aiter b. IL, AMID many Interrupt
tons.
II will be noticed that Mr. Platt acknowledges
that he and Mr.. Conklng resigned III order to be
reelected and that the JOINT letter OF resignation
was written on sunday. May 10, 1881. It Is anus
ing, also, to notice that Mr.. platt prophetically
foIesaw his fate OF 4e- 100, ana attempted 10
say that the thought OF rcSigung hrst arose III his
brain and was suggested by him to MIR. ConkIng.
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YOUNG WOMAN KILLED.
PoUGHKEEpsIE n. Y, June 1G.-Mrs. Martin
- IN Erip pafit