arged that the story of
his connection with the ring originated with Barlow.--New York
_Tribune_, April 2, 1875.]

To add to its shame the party in New York City made a bargain with
Apollo Hall, an organisation gotten up by James O'Brien, the
ex-sheriff, for the purpose of selling to the highest bidder. In 1871
by skilful manoeuvres the party freed itself from any suspicion of
an alliance with this faction, and had thus to a very great extent
obtained the direction of the Reform movement; but now, by dropping
Barlow, ignoring his disclosures, and accepting O'Brien's offer,
already rejected by Tammany with contempt, it sacrificed its hold upon
the solid part of the community which had been taught that a vote for
the Republican ticket was the only way to obtain the fruits of
reform.[1430]

[Footnote 1430: The ticket presented was as follows: Secretary of
State, Francis S. Thayer, Rensselaer; Comptroller, Nelson K. Hopkins,
Erie; Treasurer, Daniel G. Fort, Oswego; Attorney-General, Benj. D.
Silliman, Kings; Canal Commissioner, Sidney Mead, Cayuga; State
Engineer, William B. Taylor, Oneida; Prison Inspector, Moss K. Platt,
Essex.]

At the Democratic convention which met in Utica on October 1, Thomas
Raines, whose adhesion to Greeley had made him a martyr, was nominated
by acclamation. Here, however, the enthusiasm ended. The overwhelming
defeat of the previous year had sapped the party of confidence, and
candidates whom the convention desired refused to accept, while those
it nominated brought neither prominence nor strength.[1431] The
platform denounced the "salary grab," passed in the closing hours of
the last Congress, and condemned the Credit Mobilier disclosures which
had recently startled the country and disgraced Congress.[1432] Through
its executive committee the Liberal party indorsed the Democratic
nominees except for comptroller and prison inspector. For these
offices it preferred the Republicans' choice of Hopkins and Platt.

[Footnote 1431: The following ticket was nominated: Secretary of State,
Diedrich Willers, Seneca; Comptroller, Asher P. Nichols, Erie;
Treasurer, Thomas Raines, Monroe; Attorney-General, Daniel Pratt,
Onondaga; Canal Commissioner, James Jackson, Niagara; State Engineer,
Sylvanus H. Sweet, Albany; Prison Inspector, George W. Mellspaugh,
Orange.]

[Footnote 1432: James Brooks was the only New York congressman
implicated. The committee, finding him guilty of corruption as a
member of t