Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-28
NEW YORK REPUBLICANS
They Arc Thought to Be Drifting Into an
Embarrassing Position.

The republicans Of New York are thought
to be drifting into an emharras sing posi-
ton somewhat similar to that they occu-
Piled in the campaign OF 1880. and imme-
Giately after the inauguration of Gen Gar
field as President.
COnklfnE Was the Supreme Power.
In that year. 1t Ia recalled, Mr.. Conk-
lirg was the supreme power in the state.
The machine men Obeyed him, and through
them he committed the state in the mat
ter of the party's presidential nomination
to Gen. Grant He himself went at the
head Of the states delegation to the con-
vention and placed Gen. Grant in nomina-
ton. But there were some vigorous kick
ers In the delegation against his course,
and at the first opportunity these men re-
belled and acted on their own reSponsibil-
tty. State Senator William H. Robertson
LED them. and they cut an important figure
in the nomination of Gen. Garfield for
whom, on the decisive Ia Hot, they voted
Mr.. ConkliEg returned home from the con-
vention very much disgrurtled over the re-
suit. end 1t required a good deal Of per
sUasion to induce him to take the stilmD
for the ticket.
Claimed the Patronage.
After the Inauguration Of Gen. Garfield,
VIXEN the question Of the New York patron
eye came up, Mr.. Conklng AMI his friends
by virtue of being in control of the party
organization in the state and of their claim
that they had carried the state for the
ticket, insisted on exclusive recognition.
They took the ground that they were the
party in New York and that the federal
patronage for the state should be distribut-
ed through them. The proposition greatly
embarrassed the President. He conceded
his Indebtedness to them in the matter of
his election, but he held that he was also
indebted to Judge Robertson and his friends
in the matter of his nomination, and that
both debts must be paid Judge Robertson
was appointed collector OF the port of New
York. and Mr.. Conkling ana Mr.. Plat re-
signed their offices as Senator's. The party
in New York was all but disrupted as a
consequence, and In 1882 the demoraliza
ton had grown to be so widespread that
the state was lost ito the democracy bv
nearly 2OU.OO majority.
The Present Situation,
This year. as the comparison runs. MIR.
Platt is in charge OF ths ma chine The
machine men obey him. and through them
and the invoking of state pride he has
committed the state to The support of Gov.
Morton for the partys nomina ton for
President. But there are prominent repub-
licans who object to his program. These
men are led by Warner Miller, who Ia de-
scribed as the Robertson OF the day. Tbsv
are not opposed to Gov. Morton, but hold
that as it is evident Gov Morton has M
chance to be nominated. they are entitled
to vote for Mr.. Mckinley. who is altogeth-
er likely to be the candidate They are
talking Of disregardtng their instruotions
and recording themselves for the Ohio
ran.
Embarrassment In Prespect.
Suppose Mr.. Miller and his friend. do
tn's' suppose MIR. Piatt. although much
disgruntled over the situation. returns
home and works theoretically for the
ticket and New York is carried by the re-
puhlicans. Suppose that after the tnaue,,-
ration OF Mr.. McKinley-supposing first Of
course. that he is nominated at St Io,,is
end elected President,Mr: Flatt and his
friends claim the right to dispense the
New York patronage, while Mr.. Miller
and his friends insist on recognition. VIII
not Mr.. Mckinleys embarrassments be as
great as those that beset General Car
field? VIII he deal with them IN the same
way? And If he does. will the republican
party in New York suffer again as it did
in 1882?