inistration. That was the reason
why I became a candidate."--Interview of Mr. Depew with the author,
February 19, 1909.]

[Footnote 1735: _Harper's Weekly_, February 5, 1881.]

On the other hand, Depew's friends thought it wiser to "split the
machine." It was a taking proposition. If the two senators, they
argued, differed upon questions of patronage, the one agreeing with
the President would undoubtedly prevail. Thus the Senator and the
Governor, backed by the patronage of the State and Federal
administrations, would control a machine of great possibilities.
Conkling appreciated the danger, and Warner Miller and William H.
Robertson approved the plan.

Miller was then in the prime of life. He combined the occupations of
manufacturer and farmer, evidenced marked capacity for business, and
gave substantial promise of growing leadership. From the schools of
Oswego he had entered Union College, and after teaching in Fort Edward
Collegiate Institute he became a soldier. Since 1874 he had been in
the Assembly and in Congress. He was fully six feet tall, well
proportioned, with a large head, a noticeably high forehead, a strong,
self-reliant, colourless face, and a resolute chin. A blond moustache
covered a firm mouth. He had the appearance of a man of reserve power,
and as a speaker, although without the gift of brilliantly phrased
sentences, he made a favourable impression. His easy, simple manner
added to the vigour and clearness of his words. Perhaps in the end he
fell short of realising the full measure of strength that his ardent
friends anticipated, for he possessed none of the characteristics of
the boss and seemed incapable of submitting to the daily drudgery that
political leadership demands. But for several years the reasonableness
of his opinions had an unmistakable influence upon the judgment of
men. Certainly, in 1881, his opinion greatly strengthened the Depew
scheme, and it soon became apparent that a sufficient number of
Independents could be relied upon to choose Platt. In the conference
that followed the latter promised to support the Garfield
administration. "Does that statement cover appointments?" asked
Woodin. Platt said it did. "Even if Judge Robertson's name should be
sent in?" insisted Woodin. Platt replied, "Yes."[1736] That settled it,
and Platt's nomination occurred on the first ballot.[1737] Among the
earliest to send him congratulations was Senator Conkling.

[Footnote 1736: Interview of Mr