| − | In New York state conventions since the early 1870s, fellow Republican [[Thomas C. Platt|Thomas C. "Tom" Platt]] consistently worked to ensure Conkling's control of GOP politics, marshalling "Southern Frontier" votes in favor of the senator.<ref>[https://snaccooperative.org/ark:/99166/w6rn3pvt Platt, Thomas Collier, 1833-1910]. ''Social Networks and Archival Context''. Retrieved November 19, 2021.</ref> With the help of Platt, Conkling managed to prevent intraparty rival Reuben E. Fenton from seizing state GOP leadership. | + | In New York state conventions since the early 1870s, fellow Republican [[Thomas C. Platt|Thomas C. "Tom" Platt]] consistently worked to ensure Conkling's control of GOP politics, marshalling "Southern Frontier" votes in favor of the senator.<ref name=tomplattsnacbio>[https://snaccooperative.org/ark:/99166/w6rn3pvt Platt, Thomas Collier, 1833-1910]. ''Social Networks and Archival Context''. Retrieved November 19, 2021.</ref> With the help of Platt, Conkling managed to prevent intraparty rival Reuben E. Fenton from seizing state GOP leadership. |
| | + | Platt was elected to the U.S. House in 1872 and re-elected in the 1874 midterms, though retired in 1876, when he attended the Republican National Convention that year for the first time.<ref name=tomplattsnacbio/> Platt pushed through an ultimately unsuccessful movement to nominate for president Conkling himself, who appreciated the former's steadfast loyalty and handed Platt a position as Republican State Committee chairman.<ref name=tomplattsnacbio/> |