rom their constituents. Besides, a once
powerful Senator was now a private citizen. At the outset Independents
and several Stalwarts refused to enter a caucus, and early in the
contest the Democrats, marshalled by Manning, refused to come to the
rescue. Thus, without organisation, Republicans began voting on May
31. Seven weeks and four days later (July 22), after fifty-six
ballots, their work was concluded. The first ballot marked the highest
score for Conkling and Platt, the former receiving 39 and the latter
29 out of 105 Republican votes.[1763] This severe comment upon their
course plainly reflected the general sentiment of the party. It showed
especially the dissatisfaction existing toward Conkling. Yet a few
Stalwarts remained steadfast to the end. On the morning of July 1,
when Platt, to the surprise of his friends, suddenly withdrew, he had
28 votes. On July 22 Conkling had the same.

[Footnote 1763: The ballot resulted as follows: To succeed Platt (long
term), Thomas C. Platt, 29; Chauncey M. Depew, 21; Alonzo B. Cornell,
12; Elbridge G. Lapham, 8; Warner Miller, 5; Richard Crowley, 3;
scattering, 25. Francis Kernan (Dem.), 54. Total, 157.

To succeed Conkling (short term), Roscoe Conkling, 39; William A.
Wheeler, 19; Alonzo B. Cornell, 9; Richard Crowley, 5; Warner Miller,
1; scattering 37. John C. Jacobs (Dem.), 53. Total, 159.]

The act of the assassin of President Garfield on the morning of July 2
had a visible effect upon the proceedings at Albany.[1764] Although
for a time conditions indicated that the distinguished sufferer might
recover, legislators evinced a great desire to conclude the
disagreeable work, and on July 5, sixty-six Republicans held a
conference. Up to this time Depew had been the favourite for the long
term, registering fifty-five votes on the fourteenth ballot (June 14),
but in the interest of harmony he now withdrew his name.[1765]

[Footnote 1764: "Suddenly the adherents of the murdered President saw
the powers of government about to be transferred to the leader of
their defeated adversaries, and that transfer effected by the act of
an assassin. Many of them could not instantly accept the truth that it
was the act solely of a half-crazed and disappointed seeker for
office; many of them questioned whether the men who were to profit by
the act were not the instigators of it."--From address of Elihu Root,
delivered at the unveiling of President Arthur's statue in Madison
Square, New