The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-04-12
WouId Roscoe COnksing Have
Voted for TiIden?

IN ANTICIPATION OF tne passage OF Me
Electoral Commission bill, the Repub-
lican Senators held a caucus the day
before, or on Friday, Jan. 26, 1877,
to discuss the situation and to canvass
the selection of the three Republican
Senators to constitute that part of the
electoral 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
the place. Senator Edmunds, who led
the friends of compromise, strongly
urged Senator Conkling. This prop
osition 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
Conkling's views ou certain questions
which were indispensable to the sup
port of Mr.. Hayes claims; that the
Senator from New York was reported
to have said that Mr.. Hayes was en-
titled to but one vote from the State
of Oregon. Other Senators made the
same declaration, some, it is stated,
having upon their own authority
announced that the Senator had de-
clared that he would not consent to
any arrangement in the premises, and
that the natural conclusion OF his ut
terances led to no other result than
that his course would be suchS as to
give the electoral votes, Esave one, of
the State of OregonTto Mr.. Tilden,
thus depriving Mr.. Hayes of the Office
of President. 1t was also mentioned
as relevant,,to this view of the Sena-
tors attitude that he had permitted
several months to pass without saying
that he ever believed Mr.. Hayes to
have been elected.
There is little doubt that Mr.. Conk-
ling would have been placed on the
Commission had it not been for this
distrust of his loyalty to the Republi-
can party. This discussion gave rise
to much feeling in the caucus. Sena-
tor Edmunds declared that he would
have nothing to do with the compro-
mise if two enemies OF the plan Of set
tlement were put upon the Commits
sion. A rupture now seemed immi-
nent. AT this juncture Simon Cameron
who was opposed to the plan, brought
his skill in political diplomacy to bear
The hour for the meeting of the Sen.
ate having arrived, the caucus broke
up without result. The Senate having
voted an early adjournment, the eau
Gus reassembIed. The name of Sena
tor Frelinghuysen, which was propos
ed as compromise, was next discuss
ed. 1t was known that this gentle
man had declared publicly that ht
was in favor of the bill, because i
would elect Mr.. Hayes. This raised
the point Of eligibility under the usua
forms Of tribunals for the adjudication
. OF controversies on matters of fact
At the urgent solicitation Of botl
sides he agreed to serve.
, The facts as stated demonstrate tina
Mr.. Conkling was the choice of Mr.
Edmunds, the head of the Senatorial
, representation, and a majority of the
Senators, and that his name was with
drawn ON account of the belief of tn,
{ Republican Senators that he woult
oppose giving the electoral vote o
, Oregon to Mr.. Hayes.-Boston Herald