Year: 1876

Continued from First papc.


strenuous supporter of the present system be put
forward for the first place in the nation. We might
have lost these men if there had been reform. 1t
is proper that they should exhibit themselves here
as specimens of what Senator COnklng has done and
will do in the matter of appointments. Nor does
any doubt their absolute sincerity. The success
of Mr.. Conkling insures their retention, and they
are willing to be retained.


But other memories arc awakened than those
merely of the great reform which has been so sue
cessfully carried out. One cannot help remember
ing that four years ago everybody in Office in the
Republican party was pure and clean and incapable
of wrong. l judge from what / hear
going on around tho delegation head
quarters that there is not today the same
degree of confidence in that regard that existed
four years ago. There is something very like sus-
picion afoat. They arc talking in the most loose
and reckless manner about their candidates. All
of them come in for more or less distrust; but the
leading ones have to take the brunt of the attack
and establish their innocence beyond peradvonture
or be swept out into limbo. Very different this from
the situation at the last Convention II were look
ing further for contrasts should not fail 10 notice
certain grudging recognition of the fact that there
are somo people in the country whose votes arc
necessary perhaps absolutely essential, to success
who are not deliverable under party contract
transferable at the will of the Convention. The
last Republican National Convention did not know
any such class. 1t has swum into the ken of the
party within the past two years l observe dispo-
siton if not to he deferential to it, at least not TO
offer it gratutous insult and offense. The Conven-
tiOn held in this city in 1872 did not seem at the
moment to be success. 1t was ridiculed and de-
rided and the men who were concerned in IL had To
bear with what patience they might, the sneers and
gbes Of low-fung black guards Of every degree but
it did accomplish good purpose, and its influence
is very plain upon the delegates who are assembling
here this week. This Convention would like to bo
what that undertook to be-a body representing the
spirit and purpose of reform, if it could only
do it without being converted first.
rowdy would like to be saint II he
could only do it by joining church and retaining
his old habits The party would like to he good,
but has not the nerve to do anything more than
pass resolutions about IT. When 1t comes to aban-
doning evil courses, that is quite another thing
These gentlemen talk freely about "Grantsm" ana
the need of throwing it 0verboard but by that they
mean only dropping Grant and continuing the sys-
TEN under some else. The neglect OF the Presi-
dent Is quite noticeable. He is only mentioned as
something to be avoided. and the men who till
within few months have been most clamorous in
their support OF nln III bHtH uCnhiiNa''h va
all who differed with them on that subject, are now
protesting z that they know him not


The Administration Republicans who were scam
dazed at the recent purchase and sale of Senator
ship in Connecticut will be shocked to hear that
there is a prevalent belief among the politicians In
attendance here who know how such things are
done, that Mr.. COnkings friends are prepared TO
buy up enough delegates from Southern States to
secure him the nomination. This has been talked
anie freely but il must be- remembered that this ~
the period of slaaderous Tongues. No one can look
upon tho white vests of the NcwiOrk gentlemen
and harbor for an instant the suspicion that they
would trade. And there il George Gorham of
California Clork of the Senate. and working for Mr..
Conkng. Would he buy n vote 7 Perish the
thought Still tho South, am told, Is very poor. and
her industries prostrated. Tho delegates who
have come up from there 10 attend the Convention
have subjected them selves to considerable expense.
Should not thcy he reimbursed and should not they
also have something over for tho expenses OF tho
campaign. OF course: and If the Now-iork gentle
men have come prepared to meot precisely this
emergency shall any ohc cry "Auctionf Obviously
not But will Conkling be nominated. Well.
really heard % man say this morning that Grant
would probably receive the nomination. and the
suggestion seemed to utterly unreasonable
that for a time quite believed it. The most unc1-
pected thing is said to be thu thing that always
happens and so It may be Conkling or Grant. Who
knowsf