The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-28
DEPEW. GIRFIELD. CONkLIyG.
Iurthey Information Concerning the Res
ignations of the New York Senators.


ignation- of the New York Senators.
To the Editor OF the sun-sir: At the
recent banquet to Mr.. Plat. Mr.. Depew
IS represented as having said the follow
in words:
The scene tonight recalls a memora-
bic day sixteen years ago. Garfield
administration had come into power, ana
Senator Conkiing, the leader OF the or
ganizatiOn OF our State, WAS on unfrieud-
~ terms with the President, and had not
spoken for years 10 his Secretary OF
state, James q. Blaine. 1t was IN the
air that the administration was TO be
antagonized by New York. Vice-Presi-
dent Arthur came TO -AlOany with a
candidate for United States Senator
claiming also that he represented t.e
leader, and Mr. Plat appeared on his
own behalf and equally divided the or
ganization's force. l cid not want to De
United states Senator. Ii meant ruin TO
a professional and business career when
1 meant to make a success. and the Sc
lection would have been a personal ca
lamlty But Mr.. Blaine came to New
York with a message from the President
that / should take the iield. My friends
held the balance Of power l was u can
didate only TO represent the Garfield al
ministration. | said TO Mr.. Platt: Nou
can have my strength II. as Senator, you
VIII support the President Ills answer
was: L have done MY best TO elect
Republican President and as Senator
will support him.
MIR. Plat was nominated and elected
The disagreement between the admins
tration and Senator Conkling which had
been anticipated came about, and MI
Patt had 20 face the difficult question
of going with his organization. under the
commands Of its autocratic and imperl-
Gus leader. or Of keeping his pledge. The
pledge was not a bond. nor letter, but the
word OF man. who. believe never
broke his promise. and rather than break
that promise he resigned from the SEN
ate and surrendered his commission.
/ do not doubt the correctness OF Mr..
Depew's statement that Mr.. Blaine urged
him. In the name OF General Garfield Dne
Preeident-eIect TO take the field as
candidate for the United States Senate
IN 1851. to represent the Garfield admin
istration." Nor do ] doubt that Mr..
Blaine on that occasion really bore the
message Of General Garfield. There IS.
however. another interesting fact when
| wish to contribute 10 the history Of that
time. and that IS that I was authorized
nv General Garfield within week AFTER
his election to assure Mr. COnhnng that
he would not an any manner interfere
with the New York Senatorial contest
then near at hand. Here is an extract
from a letter published over my sigma
ture I'm a New York paper under date oil
June .. 1855. a few weeks after Mr.. Conh-
ling's death. The election referred 10 was
that Of 1850:
Being at indianapolis on the day OF
the Presidential election, General Car
field requested me to stop and see him
on my way from thence TO New YORK
This took me 10 Mentor within two or
three days after the election. lie eX-
pressed a strong desire TO secure a Re
publican majority in the Senate.
He then opened the subject OF ti7
approaching Senatorial election In the
state OF New York. and said that in
that connection | could render him very
essential service. lie declared with much
positiveness OF words and manner that nc
should not at any time nor in any man
ner attempt to exert any influence upon
the election. But he said that, whatever
Inc did or omitted to do. he expected to be
accused of such Interference, and ne
wanted me 10 know I'm advance that sucn
charges would be unfounded. lie thought
that l would know whether or not he was
being understood by my friends as inter
foring and hoped I would let him know
IL for any reason they should at any time
suspect him OF bad faith. 1 was struck
with the animation with which ne de-
tended himself against charges formed
only in his own mind. and promised 10
let him know If at any time the appear
ances should be against him. Subsequent
events left no room 70 doubt that he was
at that very time bent on Mr.. Conklings
political overthrow. aid that he was en-
deavoring TO make the task an easy one
by crafty and insincere professions OF
non-interferencc'
From Mr.. Depews statement II ap-
nears that. while l had thus been au-
thorlzed by General Garfield TO assure
my friend, Mr.. Conkling. that he would
be absolutely neutral in the Senatorial
contest in New York. Mr. Blaine had
been authorized by him TO insist that Mr.
Depew should enter the field as the cham
Mon OF the Garfield administration. when
no antagonist was I'm sight. Mr.. Conk
ling had at that time shown no disposi-
ton to oppose the new administration
IT, as Mr.. Depew says. 1T was in the
air that the administration was TO Ie
9ntagoHized by New York" it was only
In the air." and was only known to 5e
that by those who had the advantage OF
carly Information that the New YORK
senators were 10 be forced into such am
taponism by General Garfield and ms
famlliars. GEORGE {. DURHAM.
washington. y. c.. Jan. 2ith.