dissimilar, but
the manner of their selection was antipodal. Of the five candidates
who appealed to the convention, Cornell was the only real opponent of
the Secretary.[1784] For more than a year, ever since he took office,
in fact, Cornell had counted upon a renomination. He cleverly
strengthened the State machine, surrounded himself with able
lieutenants, and never failed to make appointments promotive of his
ambition. The confirmation of Isaac V. Baker as superintendent of
prisons with the aid of Tammany's three senators, especially
illustrated his skill in reaching men. But he had done more than
organise. His numerous vetoes called attention to his discriminating
work, indicating honesty, efficiency, activity in promoting the
people's interests, and fidelity to Republican principles. An honest
public sentiment recognised these good features of his work. Indeed,
his administration admittedly ranked with the best that had adorned
the State for a century, and his friends, including Independents and
many Stalwarts, rallied with energy to his support. It was known, too,
that the wisdom of Blaine permeated his councils.

[Footnote 1784: The candidates were Charles J. Folger, Alonzo B.
Cornell, James W. Wadsworth of Genesee, John H. Starin of New York,
and John C. Robinson of Broome.]

Nevertheless, Conkling and the President marked him for defeat. It was
notorious that their hostility grew out of the Governor's passivity in
the senatorial election, Arthur feeling the humiliation of that defeat
scarcely less than Conkling, while memories of Crowley's failure and
of the Governor's exultation had not faded. Conkling, not less bitter,
had more recent cause for resentment. As the attorney of Jay Gould he
had indicated a willingness to forgive and forget the past if the
Governor would approve legislation favourable to the Gould properties.
But Cornell, satisfied of its unfairness, courageously refused.[1785]
When he did so he knew and subsequently declared, that if he had
signed the bill, neither Gould nor Conkling would have opposed his
renomination.[1786]

[Footnote 1785: The bill provided that the elevated railroad companies
of New York should, in lieu of other public charges, pay a tax of four
per cent. on their gross receipts. As first submitted the bill had the
approval of the mayor and comptroller of the city, but after its
modification they withdrew their approval and opposed its passage on
the ground that it unjus