and his supporters.

This was manifest in the cool treatment accorded the New York City
delegates who represented the bolting Republicans of the year before.
Conkling's friends, disposed to be liberal, argued that the vote of a
"returning sinner" counted as much on election day as that of a saint.
On the other hand, the Fenton forces, while willing to benefit by the
suffrage of Conservatives, were disinclined to admit to the convention
men tainted with the sin of party treason, who would naturally
strengthen their adversaries. In the end, after a fierce struggle
which absorbed an entire session, the Conservatives were left out.

Opposition to the State officials who had shown a disposition to
favour the Senator was less open but no less effective. The exposure
of canal frauds in the preceding winter, showing that for a period of
six years trifling causes had been deemed sufficient to displace low
bids for high ones, thus greatly enriching a canal ring at the expense
of the State, involved only the Canal Commissioner. Indeed, every
reason existed why Barlow and his soldier associates whose army
records had strengthened their party in 1865 should receive the usual
endorsement of a renomination; but to avoid what, it was claimed,
might otherwise be regarded an invidious distinction, the Greeley
Radicals cleverly secured a new ticket.[1124] "In their zeal to become
honest," said Horatio Seymour, "the Republicans have pitched overboard
all the officials who have not robbed the treasury."[1125]

[Footnote 1124: The following were nominated: Secretary of State, James
B. McKean, Saratoga; Comptroller, Calvin T. Hulburd, St. Lawrence;
Treasurer, Theodore B. Gates, Ulster; Attorney-General, Joshua M. Van
Cott, Kings; State Engineer, Archibald C. Powell, Onondaga; Canal
Commissioner, John M. Hammond, Allegany; Prison Inspector, Gilbert De
Lamatyr, Wyoming; Court of Appeals, Charles Mason, Madison. Of those
selected, McKean and Hulburd had served two terms each in Congress.]

[Footnote 1125: New York _World_, October 4, 1867.]

The platform no longer revealed differences in the party. It affirmed
impartial suffrage, protested against maladministration and corruption
in State affairs, supported Congress in its policy of reconstruction,
and rebuked all tampering with the financial obligations of the Union.
Upon these plain, simple issues Conservatives and Radicals stood
united. Those who, in 1865, thought the restoration of the U