Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1911-03-23
Got EUen With the President

publican party for the presidential
nomination. Meanwhile, it had been
known for weeks that the leading can
didate at Cincinnati would be James
G. Blaine, and that Roscoe Conk1ing
would probably be a good second;
and the belief was general that Presi-
dent Grant would be gratified were
his staunch political and personal
friend, Roscoe Conkling, nominated.
Up to the time of the announcement
of Bristows candidacy. the Conkling
forces were hopeful of bringing about
the nomination Of their man; but
when they learned of the new entry
in the field, and observed how the re-
form element was f1ocking to him,
they became alarmed, and as the time
approached for the converting of the
convention, they became of the fixed
opinion that the candidacy of Mr.,
Bristow, If continued in the conven-
ton itself, would make the defeat of
Conkling certain and probably result
in the nomination of Blaine.
To obviate this disaster, shortly be
fore the convention met small group
of intimate Conkling emissaries sought
a secret consultation with some per
sonal representatives of the reform
elements candidate.
"Bristow cannot be nominated, and
you know It," the Conkling men said,
substantially. Continued support Of
him simply means the defeat of Conk,
ling Now, in order to carry the presi-
Dental election, we Republicans have
got to have the electoral vote of New
York state. If Conkling is the candi-
date, he can carry the state against
any Democrat who could be named.
The Democracy is going to nominate
Tilden Conkling can beat him II
New York state.
hut your New York delegation IS
not unanimous for Conkling," was the
reply.
not unanimous for Conkling?" ex-
claimed the New York senator's ad.
herents. Why, the delegation is in
structed to vote for him"
Yes, that is SO" was the retort,
but Mr.. Bristow knows that there is
one man in the delegation who viii
not heed those instructions, and,
furthermore, he is the man Mr. Bris-
tow has selected to make the speech
placing him before the convention for
the presidential nomination"
Who is the man." Bristow's friends
were asked
'It is George William Curtis" was
the answer; and they added knowing
ly: IF Curtis will support Conklings
nomination, then. we think, Mr.. Bris-
tow would withdraw; but he won't"
1t was as Bristow's friends said 1t
would be George William Curtis, rep
resenting a New York district, placed
Bristow in nomination in a superb
speech, and the votes that Mr. Bris-
tow received in that convention-on
the first ballot they numbered 113-
were, in the opinion of many of the
delegates, chief among the causes
which led to the defeat Of Roscoe
ConkIing for the presidential nomina-
ton. General Grant and Roscoe Conk-
ling were always of the opinion that
mao MI. BTlSIoW anu his lTlSudS p66u
willing to throw their support to
Conkling, then the New York senator
would have been nominated instead Of
Rutherford B. Hayes, an absolute
dark horse when the convention met.
Among Mr.. Bristow's more intimate
personal and political friends it was
always understood that by contributing
to the defeat of Conkling's ambition,
Mr. Bristow felt that he had fully
evened up scores with the president
who wanted him to be attorney gen
eral and did succeed in making him
secretary Of the treasury.
Copyright, 1910 by E. J. Edwards All
RIGHTS Reserved \