ial
situation, it had the effect of materially weakening Flower. Of his
popularity no doubt existed. As an industrious young man in Watertown
he had been a general favourite, and in New York, whither he went in
early manhood to take charge of his sister's property, left by her
millionaire husband, he became the head of a prosperous banking house
and the friend of all classes. The liberality of his charities
equalled the splendour of his social entertainments, while a few
months in Congress as the successor of Levi P. Morton and the
successful opponent of William W. Astor, had introduced him to the
voters of the metropolis. He was now forty-four years old, with ample
wealth, a wide acquaintance, and surrounded by scores of experienced
political diplomats.

But Manning distrusted Flower. Back of him were Arnot, DeWolf, and
other anti-Tilden leaders. He also deeply resented Flower's support of
Kelly. It gave the Boss a new lease of power and practically paralysed
all efforts to discipline him. Besides, it betrayed an indisposition
to seek advice of the organisation and an indifference to political
methods. He seemed to be the rich man in politics, relying for control
upon money rather than political wisdom. Nor did it improve Flower's
chances among the country delegates that one of the convention
speakers thought him guided by Jay Gould, in whose questionable deals
he had generously participated.

Slocum had likewise sinned. Manning thought well of the distinguished
soldier whom he promised one hundred votes, which he delivered. But
his support of Kelly had been distasteful to the County Democracy.
Besides, he was charged with voting, when in Congress, for the "salary
grab," and one delegate, speaking on the floor of the convention,
declared that as a trustee of the Brooklyn Bridge, "Slocum would be
held responsible for the colossal frauds connected with its
erection."[1782] It added to the chaos of the situation that Flower's
supporters resented Slocum's activity, while Slocum's friends excepted
to the County Democracy's use of Allan Campbell as a stalking horse.

[Footnote 1782: New York _Tribune_, September 23.]

Grover Cleveland's candidacy seemed not very important. He was not
wholly unknown throughout the State. Lawyers recognised him as a
prominent member of the profession, and politicians knew him as
sheriff of Erie County in the early seventies and as the recently
elected mayor of Buffalo. But people outside