The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-05-15

The Independent Republican Conference
committee of New York has issued the follow
ing circular to the delegates to the Republican
National Convention:
DEAR SIR-The undersigned beg leave respect
fully to submit to you, delegate to the Republi
can National Convention few points for your con-
sideration. We do this as Republicans earnestly de-
string to see the Republican party succeed in the
coming Presidential election, and hoping to be able
to contribute our efforts to that success.
1t is enerally admitted that the Republican par
t in order to succeed must carry the State of New
York: There are currents Of thought and feeling
eide elections but which are apt to be overlooked
underestmated by party managers as well as by
enthusiastic friends of particular candidates. A
striking illustration of this was furnished BY the
election of 1882 In the State of New York when
the dissatisfaction with the doings Of the Republ
~ managers expected soon to blow over, developed
to their utter amazement, into majority of 1885,
OOO against the Republican candidate
We are sufficiently well acquainted with the ele-
ments composing the Republican vote of New York
to say that party allegiance as controlling force is
no stronger now than it was in 1882; that, on the
contrary, there is an independent spirit abroad
which has become more positive force, from year
TO year and that there are tens of thousands of cit
liens of this State whose votes can be kept on the
Republican side only if the Republican candidates
are not open to any serious objection. In this re-
spect the following points cannot be too carefully
kept in view:
]. Faction fights within the Republican party
nave IN Inls SGate, Deen particularly bitter; the
called Republican machine has become obnoxious
in an uncommon degree to avery large number if
not majority, of the members of the party and il
must therefore be said that any candidate who has
been in conspicuous way involved in those fac1ion
fights would, however commendable his qualities in
other respects might be- lose thousands sof Republi
can aud Independent votes, thereby putting the
State in the utmost jeopardy.
2. This being the business CENTRE and especially
the financial CENTRE of the country, public senti-
ueht naturally sensitive here with regard to the
bearing of the election upon the treatment of all
questions concerning public finance. Any candi-
date whose record Is tainted with the advocacy of
an uusound money system will therefore be peculi-
iarly weak here
3. Our business community is constitutionally
cautious and conservative. Any candidate likely to
launch the Government into fantastic or adven-
turous policy calculated to bring about disturb
countries will therefore inspire dstrust. and not
only lose great many individual votes, but also
terial support which it usually receives from the
business community generally.
A., That the Republican party cannot afford to
burden itself with defensive fight is admitted by
every sensible person. In this respect nothing
could be more disastrous than the nomination of q
candidate, however popular, with an unclean, or
justly assailable record as to his integrity. The
discussions of the campaign would inevitably turn
upon this one point, and we have good reason toap
ways been strong in the Republican party would
bring forth an extensive revolt in its ranks
The undersigned emphatically disclaim any pur-
pose OF debating the nomination to be made BY the
convention, or OF influencing its action by threats.
There are those among us who, having always vot-
ed the Republican ticket, would now support any
| fairly nominated Republican candidate. But they
know also that in the event OF an unwise nonina-
| ton, very large number of their Republican
friends would not be governed by the same idea of
party loyalty, and that as the change of only one
Republican vote in each school district in this
| State would wipe out Republican majority equal
to that of 1880, and the large independent vote
would inevitably become hostile the Overwhelming
disaster of 1882 would, in such case be very
likely to be repeated.
We appeal to you respectfully and urgently to
consider that there is no necessity whatever Of
burdening the Republican party with objection
able candidate in the coming contest. There are
among its prominent members well fitted to be
its of pure record and ire
proachable character-men uDtainted with the
scandals of past administrations, or with odious
afhliations-men of sound principles, and commend
ing themselves in all essential respects to the
esteem and confidence of their fellow-citizens
While the convention may freely choose among
several, every of whom would be sure heartily
to unite the party, to represent its best principles
and tendencies, to strengthen it in the esteem of
the people, and thus to make Republican triumph
certain, would it not be in the highest degree I'M
wise, not to say reckless and unjustiabe to invite
disaster by the nomination Of persons who would
provoke popular dstrust and create bitter dissen
sion within the party, as well give impulse and
strength to the opposition outside Of it?
Yours very respectfully,
The REPUBLICAN, CONFERENCE COMMITTEE,
FRANCIS G. BARLOW, Chairman.
DAVID ALLERTON. Secretary.