Year: 1874

paign-Gossip Among the Politicians.


The political campaign of 1874 opens with
the call for the meeting of the Republican
State Convention at Syracuse on the 23d OF
September The party thus first in the field
represents the sweets of Office and Is strictly
of the administration faith. Out of twenty
two members of the Central Committee pres
ent at the issue of the call fourteen are serving
the country including United States Sena-
tor, State Senator, United States Dlstr1ct
Attorney, a Surveyor of the Port, County
Treasurer, two Postmasters and one OF Mayor
Havemeyer's unfortunate Police Commits
sioners, who may still be considered in public
| Office since be is understood to hold in his
possession, as sort of reserve plum, the APP
pointment of Commissioner of Excise The
Convention will, no doubt, be of the same
complexion, for party machinery works with
precision, and it is difficult to resist the
will of those who hold its control in their
hands. As, however, there is an important
section of the republican party which, if not
opposed to the administration, is at least, in
disposed to submit to the dictaton Of what
is regarded as an ofice-holder's ring, it will be
incumbent on the Convention to liberalize its
action and to study the sentiments of the out
side republicans in the nominations. All
sorts of rumors are afoat in regard to the
wishes of the leaders but many of them are
probably nothing more than rumors. 1t is
said that the temperance movement is to be
handled as o weapon against the denomination
of Governor Dix, and that those politicians
who desire his defeat are anxious that the
Governor should dismiss the charges against
Mayor Havemeyer for the purpose of fastening
upon the former some apparent Endorsement
Of the latters official conduct But the
people understand we'll enough that the
so-called temperance movements are, in fact,
advantage Of the temperance organization to
promote their own ends, and we do not regard
it as likely that Governor Dix will in any
manner countenance or approve the official
action of Mayor Havemeyer Another item
of political gossip on the republican side is
nate Governor Dix and then to trade off the
Governor at the polls for members of Assem-
bly,, in order to secure q majority Of the right
stamp in the House in view OF the election of
United States Senator. Some imaginative
persons affect to discover an inkling of such q
policy in the remarks made by Senator Conk-
ling at the meeting of the committee, when
he urged that '.nothing should be left
undone to secure q republican majority in
the Legislature, as upon that body would de-
pend the choice of United States Senator"
But Mr.. Conkling no doubt called attention
to the importance of the next Legislature in
good faith and without any intention Of sug-
gesting the election of members of Assembly
at the expense of other republican candidates.
Besides, such plot, if contemplated, would
be defeated by the personal popularity Of
Governor Dix, if he should be the candidate
of the party for reelection.


But while the ohce-holders, strong in the
possession Of the control of the local organi-
zations in most counties of the State, as well
as of the Central Committee, are gathering up
the threads Of their intrigue and weaving a
plot of their own, an important movement is
in contemplation by those republicans who
have not of late years enjoyed the sunshine of
administration favor The HERALD some time
ago revealed the fact that negotiations were
pending looking to a reconc iliation between
President Grant and Senator Fenton as a
necessary preliminary to a complete change
of programme on the part of the administra-
ton at Washington and o reunion of the re-
n, ~ in Nau Vor nd
where disaffection exists. II is claimed that
this treaty Of peace is 80 nearly
concluded as to render it probable
that Senator Fenton may be q candidate
before the Republican Convention for the
nomination for Governor Of the State, leaving
be won by Governor Dix or Ex-Governor Nor
gan, as the case may be. The arguments
used in favor of such an arrangement are
not without force. 1t is claimed that the
composition OF the present State Senate
renders it probable that damaging dissen-
sions may arise among the republican Sena-
tors in the contest for a successor to Mr..
Fenton in the United States Senate if the
breach in the ranks of the party be not healed
before the next Legislature meets. In the ap-
preaching elections, it is said, the friends of
Mr.. Fenton will concentrate their efforts on
the Assembly should no compromise with the
administration be effected, and will unite with
the democrats in all contestable districts to Sc
cure the success Of Fenton republican wher-
ever possible, or as on alternative the defeat OF
an administration republican by democrat
The end of such combination may be the
loss of United States Senator and the virtual
paralyzing of New Yorks influence in the
United States Senate by splitting the repre-
sentation between the two parties. The cleo
ton Of friendly republican as Mr. Fenton's
successor is regarded as an important if not