Year: 1876




EsT IN THE CAMPAIGN.


tYRoM A sTAFF CORRESPONDENT oF THE THBUNE.I


Ur1cA. Oct. Ex-senator Conkling will make at
least one more speech before the election his present
intention being to address the Republicans of New
York or Albany within the next few days. IL he
does this it will be all which the Republican man.
ayers will have right to expect from HIM IN the
present condition of his physical health. Kno"
that there is a widespread suspicion among the sup
porters of Hayes and Morgan that Senator Cohh-
Iinc,s absence from the stump during the present
contest has been voluntary one ana that ms SICK
ness vyould not have prevented him from taking as
active a part in the canvass this Autumn as ne
usnauv has done had he felt his customary interest
IN tho success of the Republican candidates. This
snsDicon am certain does Mr.. COnkling grave in
ipstice don't know what his course might have
been had he been well !; l don't know how he would
have borne his personal disappointment with the
Republican State and National nominations but
am convinced that if his friends had succeeded III
both conventions and if his personal interest IN he
publican success were much greater than IL Is lhe
commonest prudence would have compelled hlm TO
remain comparatively quiet during the past summer
and Fall. ,.
whole system and causing great suffering has so
affected his eyes as to make it impossible for INN 10
nse them except with the greatest care. The room
which ne oecupies is darkened the lamp shaded,
and even then his eyes have to be protected from
what little light remains. He has been unable 10
read OF to do any work not absolutely necessary
The speech which he made in the Utica Opera House
was delivered in defiance of the advice Of his physl-
oian. and was followed by a relapse Of his disease
from which he has not yet fully recovered Senator
Conkling's sickness is certainly not sham one, ana
the reports in regard to it which have been circu-


not hqan nNg
Still as have said in spite Of it he is determined
TO make at least one more speech


Utica and Oneida County is one Of the most i'm.
portant political centers of this State As the resi-
dence of both of our United States Senator'S Justice
HINT of the Supreme Court of the United States,
and of Representative Scott Lord, who, during the
last session Of Congress, took rank with the most
influential men of his party, the citizens often play
fnlly speak of il as the State of Oneida" Besides
this. its location, so nearly in the center OF the
State its facilities for direct communication with
the surrounding counties, and the presence here OF
several men like eX-GOv. Seymour and Ellis H. Rob-
erts. who, though not now active politicians have
an influential voice in the councils Of their respect
i've parties make this city sort of political capital
of Central New-York This year there are some new
reasons why the study of the State canvass can be
pursued in Utica 10 better advantage than almost
anywhere else outside of New-IOrk City. There is
n feeling among Republicans throughout the state
that there is lack of harmony between the So
called Administration or Conkling Republicans and
those who have been opposed to them in local and
State conventions especially during the past two or
three years. In other words it is openly asserted
and believed by many, that while the great body Of
Republicans in this State are aboring zealousy for
the success of Hayes and Morgan, Senator Conklngs
friends are lukewarm and that their lack Of interest
is seen even in the management of the state Com
mittee. If any such lack of enthusiasm exists, it
certainly ought to be dscoverabe here in Utica.


Politicians who from any cause have lost interest
in the success of their party candidates are rarely
willing to admit the fact while in the midst of an
important contest. If the dissatisfaction does not
extend so far as to cause bolt, there is at least
pretense of unity, even if il does not exist. But
while men NAV not be willing to tell you just how
they feel themselves you may often make the dis
eovery from what they about Others. For IN
stance if an active political manager tells you that
the party in his neicnLorhood is all atire with en-
thusasm and excitement, that the nominations are
universally acceptable, and indulge, in other talk
of this kind it is pretty safe conclusion to arrive
at that he describes the state of ms own mind WIN
fully as much accuracy he does that of the pc te
for whom he undertakes to speak. Now Senator
Conbliugs friends in this city. speaking for them



of interest in the success either Of the State or
National Republican ticket, and yet they fail 10
find among the people that earnestncss which is
usually manifested at this stage Of so important
political contest.


"No." said one of Mr. Conklings friends 10 me
to-day in answer to a direct question, "No; Gov.
Haves's name adds no strength 10 the Republican
ticket in this vicinity The mention Of It calls
forth no spontaneous applause. The contest Is
square fight between Republican and Democratic
policies and if we win, as | expect We shall, 1t Will
be because the people have more confidence in the
Republican party than in the Democratic and not
because we have popular candidates. There are
men whose very names would have gained votes y
he continued. "In some places the simple mention
of Mr. Blaine's name arouses the enthusiasm Of the
people. In others Nh Conkling is equally popular,
hut nowhere does a reference 10 Gov. Hayes pro-
duce ike effect. Almost the only way III which
we have been able to arouse the people much Is by
talking bloody shirt to them. That they are i'll
tcrested in that they are thinking about that they
want 10 hear"


shall not say that this gentleman, whose language
have substantially quoted, described the state Of
his own mind OF that of those who are acting with
him. but suspect that he did. He told me also that
a good many in this vicinity who, during the
past few years, have been voting the Republican
ticket a little and the Democratic ticket a good deal
-men who have improved every opportunity to
attack Gen. Grants administration and to accuse
the Republican party Of being mauaged by rings
and Of shielding cOrruptiOn-were now earnestly at
work in the Republican ranks; and he added that
there is bitterness of feeling between them and
those who have always been loyal to the party; but
it was not a feeling, he said, which would prevent
any Republican from doing his whole duty.


The anti-COnkling Republicans who have control
of the party In this county seem TO me TO be labor