adership of Blaine, although
refusing to indorse unqualifiedly the policy and acts of the
Administration, refrained from giving any expression of
disapproval.[1568]

[Footnote 1566: In his speech at Woodstock, Conn., on July 4, Blaine
disapproved the President's action; a gathering of Republicans in New
Jersey, celebrating the return of Robeson from a foreign tour,
indicated an unfriendly disposition; the Camerons of Pennsylvania,
father and son, exhibited dissent; one branch of the New Hampshire
Legislature tabled a resolution approving the President's course; and
an early Republican State convention in Iowa indirectly condemned it.]

[Footnote 1567: In H.R. 45th Cong., 3d Sess., No. 140, p. 48 (Potter
report) is a list of those connected with the Louisiana count
"subsequently appointed to or retained in office."]

[Footnote 1568: These conventions occurred as follows: Ohio, August 2;
Maine, August 9; Pennsylvania, September 6; Wisconsin, September 12;
Massachusetts, September 20; New Jersey, September 25. See New York
papers on the day following each.]

New York's Republican convention assembled at Rochester on September
26. The notable absence of Federal office-holders who had resigned
committeeships and declined political preferment attracted attention,
otherwise the membership of the assembly, composed largely of the
usual array of politicians, provoked no comment. Conkling and Cornell
arrived early and took possession. In 1874 and in 1875 the Senator's
friends fought vigorously for control, but in 1877 the divided
sentiment as to the President's policies and the usual indifference
that follows a Presidential struggle inured to their benefit, giving
them a sufficient majority to do as they pleased.

Thus far Conkling had not betrayed his attitude toward the
Administration. At the time of his departure for Europe in search of
health, when surrounded by the chief Federal officials of the city, he
significantly omitted words of approbation or criticism, and with
equal dexterity avoided the expression of an opinion in the many
welcoming and serenade speeches amidst which his vacation ended in
August. No doubt existed, however, as to his personal feeling. The
selection of Evarts for secretary of state in place of Thomas C. Platt
for postmaster general did not make him happy.[1569] George William
Curtis's ardent support of the President likewise aided in separating
him from the White House. Nevertheless, Conkling's