Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-07
WOULD CONKLING HAVE VOTED
FOR TILDEN?
Kept Of of the Electoral Commission
by MortOn's Distrust of His Loyalty

Kept Of of the Electoral Commission
by Morton's Distrust of His Loyalty
to the Fraud.
Washington Letter in Boston Herald.
In anticipation of the passage of the
Electoral Commission bill, the Republi-
can Senators held a caucus the day be-
fore, or on Friday, January 26, 1877, to
discuss the situation and to canvass the
selection of the three Republican Sena-
tors to constitute that part of the cleo
toral tribunal. 1t was generally agreed
by the caucus that Senator Edmunds,
who voted for, and Senator Morton, who
voted against the bill, should constitute
two of the Senatorial representation. The
caucus then set about selecting the third
member, and Senator Howe was
suggested for that place. Senator
Edmunds, who led the friends of
compromise, strongly urged Senator
COnkling. This proposition was generally
well received, but, before action was taken
by the caucus, Senator Morton arose, and,
in a speech of some vigor, openly gave
utterance to his distrust of Senator Conk-
ling's views on certain questions which
were indispensable to the support Of Mr..
Hayes claims; that the Senator from New
York was reported to have said that Mr..
Hayes was entitled to but one vote from
the State of Oregon. Other Senators made
having upon their own authority an
nOunced that the Senator had declared
that he would not consent to any
arrangement in the premises, and that
the natural conclusion of his utterances
led to no other result than that his course
would be such as to give the electoral
votes, save one, OF the State Of Oregon to
Mr.. Tilden, thus depriying Mr.. Hayes of
the Office of President. 1t was also men,
rala To viz n
ator's attitude that he had permitted sew
eral months TO pass without saying that
he ever believed Mr.. Hayes TO have been
elected.
There is little doubt that Mr.. Conkling
would have been placed on the commits
sion had it not been for this distrust of
his loyalty to the Republican party. This
discussion gave rise to much feeling in
the caucus. Senator Edmunds declared
that he would have nothing to do with
the compromise if two enemies of the plan
OF settlement were put upon the commits
sion. A rupture now seemed imminent.
At this juncture Simon Cameron, who
was opposed to the plan, brought bis skill
in political diplomacy to bear. The hour
for the meeting of the Senate having
arrived, the caucus broke up without
result. The Senate having voted an early
adjournment, the caucus reassembled.
The name. of Senator Frelinghuysen,
which was proposed as a compromise, was
next discussed. 1t was known that this
gentleman had declared publicly that he
was in favor of the bill, because it would
elect Mr.. Hayes. This raised the point of
eligibility under the usual forms of tribu-
nails for the adjudication of controversies
on matters of fact. at the urgent solicit
tation of both sides he agreed to serve.
The facts as stated demonstrate that
Mr.. Conkling was the choice of Mr.. Ed
munds, the head of the Senatorial repre-
sentation, and a majority of the Senators,
and that his name was withdrawn on
account of the belief of the Republican
Senators that he would oppose giving the
electoral vote of Oregon to Mr.. Hayes.