The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-02-02
NEW YORK IN POLITICS.

tuition was correct, as political history
since 1860 would show
Since that year the influence Of New
York state with a single exception, has
been exerted through national admins
trationS instead of national legislation.
The influence of Maine has surpassed
any that New York has been able to ex-
ert, except that which is due to mere
numerical majority, in either house of
congress since that year. Although 1t
had been chief among northern states
in its influence in congress, through the
ability of Van Buren,, Marcy, Wright,
Dickinson and others, New York while
politically of the utmost Importance
seems since the defeat Of Seward at
Chicago and the pre-eminence of the
Republican party for many years
thereafter. to have been unable to
maintain the influence which it should
have, from its commanding position as
deciding state in national elections.
Mr.. Weed always thought that in the
defeat Of Seward could be discovered
the explanation of this loss of legisla-
tive authority.
DEFEAT REPEATED IN NATIONAL
CONVENTION.
Only since 1860 have New York Re
publicans made such aggressive and
enthusiastic attempts to name a can
didate for the presidency a S character
lied the ambitious Evarts, the long
planning Weed. the brilliant Curtis. and
the tremendously earnest Morgan in
that time Of Stewards canvass. That
later effort was the third term cam
paign twenty years afterwards, and
although General Grant was not then
legally a resident of New York, he was
RI
there, if he were disposed to make
such choice. In the later Chicago
convention Senator Conkling was the
leader of the splendidly disciplined
minority which supported Grant,
as Evarts had been of the great
company Of whom Stewards name
suggested everything that was
politically cherished. Conkling scented
defeat. Evarts did not dream of it,
nor believe it possible, until the ap-
palling figures stunned him. Conkling
acknowledged New Yorks overthrow
with sheer, Evarts with icy gravity
1t was in implied acknowledged
cf New York's subordination that
Conkling wrote the sneering compli-
ment to Garfield early in the conven-
tons sessions. Garfield was speaking
plaUsibly, effectively, against the pro-
position TO enforce the unit rule, when
Conkling while listening wrote. The
margin of newspaper was sufficient
for his brief message: 81 congratulate
you on being the dark horse" While
the plaudits which his speech had
caused were almost raising the roof.
Garfield glanced at the message which
had been handed to him by John D.
Lawson. Then he crushed the paper
and cast it upon the floor
In 1860 after the nomination of Sew
ard the New York politicians sulked
for a while. The political captains in
other states appealed to Governor
Morgan for aid. Pennsylvania and
Indiana were then October states.
Curtin must be chosen governor OF
Pennsylvania and Lane of Indiana, or
the greater battle of November would
be lost
Curtin and Colonel Mcclure wrote to
Thurlow Weed for aid. His only reply
to their letters was the silence Of con-
tempt. Appeals were made to Gov
ernor Morgan and his intimation was,
You have nominated your candidate,
now elect him" Not until Moses Tay-
Ior and other New York bankers were
persuaded to use their influence, did
New York listen - these anneals
AS it was in 1860, so again in 1880.
New York was defeated in the conven-
ton. 1t seemed for weeks as though
those who had gained the victory there
would be permitted by the New York
leaders to fight unaided throughout the
campaign. But if New York could not
command the national convention,
those who did command it were COM
PEELED to go pleading to New York for
its aid and influence. In a hotel parlor
these pleaders met some reluctant, al
most Indifferent, New York men who
had political and financial influence