The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-07-15
What Is Thought of 1t in Senator
Conkling's County.
ROBERTS PLAIN TALK.
congressman Merriam and Bacon Give
Decided Opinions.
"A GLOOMY CONkLlNG OUTLOOK.



The people of this city are much excited over the
removals OF Arthur Cornell ana the subject is OF
more absorbing interest than the Potter investigation
Or ths triumph OF Beaconsaeid. 1 was sorry 10 IND
On my arrival that Mr. L. Lawrence, the arm friend
of Senator Conkling anu printer OF the Utica Reputi
Can, had gone 10 the Thousand Islands, also that Hon.
Elis II. Roberts had gone into Lewis county. fol-
lowed, however, ana found him at the residence OF
Hon. c. L. Merriam. 1T Locust Grove at once
opened the subject of the Custom House removals.
and We mad tho following interesting talk
H. RoBERrs' VIEWS.
REpoRTER-Mr Roberts. your opinions OF the re-
movai OF Msssrs Arthur and Cornell will be with
interest VIII you please to give themf
Mr.. RoBKRrs-You speak OF them removals.
They exactly removals. They suspensions.
They have, in my Judgment, long been necessary. II
there personal faction IN this State hostile
The adm nistration a change would be i'm peratvely
demanded in the Custom House. Upon public grounds
without seeking political motives, new officers
called Tor Mr.. Arthur, personally gentleman Of
education, has been content TO use his Official
position rs partisan machine Mr. Cornell
has been Conspicuous for the use OF patronage
TO control eaucusss and conventions They have been
both primarily politicians rather than admnistra-
tors OF customa They we're originally chosen, not
because they would serve the government but be-
cause they would serve faction. Except for the
support oil that faction the complaints OF the manage
nsnt OF the Custom House would long have led
TO ther removal For several years the abuses Of
administration there have been fragrant
CUSTOM HOUSE
The President, year ago, ielt that q stop should be
put 10 The scandal which existed With mistaken
tenderness local faction he delayed the removals
OF the derelc oci4la His consideration treated
as weakness ana made the OF bitter and
relentless var upon HIM man and as the Execu-
i've oil The nauon.
The Custom House officers active in this
and contributed 10 dsmoraze The public service by
arraigning subordinate oic Gals against their chiefs
When, last winter. the President made ON NATIONS
I0r The New YORK Custom House he by u
factioas nosi'y which not only damaged the repub-
lcan party, but by It's SUCCESS organized the Custom
House 10 break down the administration in the coIlec
tion Oi the revenue and the conduct OF the pubic
lcrvce. Because IL ~ tho duty OF The President to
tnforce The laws and collect the revenue he
peiied 10 suspend ut the earliest moment, and to
remove Whenever he can, officers whose methods and
kLeories as well their constant practice, develop
The grossest abuses and breed the gravest scandaa
The Presiaent simply seeks men VINO will make Il |
their hrst and cnisi business 10 collect the |
uon MS endeavor to secure good administration with
Jul radical change, ought now that the necessity
has become imperative 10 secure Tor him the approval
RRpoRrER-Mr. Roberts, DO you hold Senator Conk.
hug responsible Tor the trouble between the federal
oihosrs aud The administrator
Mr.. RoREkrs-UndouotsdIy he rcsponsib
The Custom House Tor several years has been the
sona instrument OF Senator Conkiing, unless IL would
be more just 10 say that he has been It's agent They
have all events served oiher. They both
pived al the defeat oi Governor DIX 1874 and
choice oil democratic legislature 30 that a second
republican United States Senator Should not have
claim 10 u share Of federal patronage.
coNkLiNG's oPPosiToS TO HAYES
You know very wen that Senator Conkiing did |
notnins to assist IN The election VI President hayes.
You know how iul the air has been rumors ne
woui1 AID IN bringing In Mr. Tildsn President You
know that the movement Resulting IN the Pot
ter committee received almost open avowed sup
port from MN. In the disgracsiul scenes of The
Rochester Convention he had for his cnie cidquers
federal ofcias aud their dependents. Since Mr. Hayes
last winter made nominations The Custom House
the effort to distract the republican party IN his
and 10 break down the administration has been
D. rsistsnt and has not stopped In It's croice of
weapons. The Gus ON House was organi zed Tor this
iactous STRIFE Men receiving salaries irom the gov
ernment have been travelling through the State seek
Ing TO destroy the power OF the national adm
The performance oil the duties imp posed upon Il
by law The President could 90 less than with
oraw the pubic moneys from such uses.
RKPoRrER-wnst will be effect OF the action of
the president gu his lrieoos In this State?
Mr.. RoBEars-ln my judgment, If tue Pa esidsnt had
. year ago made a complete change In the New YORK
Custom House the republican party in this state
woula nj have shown u decided majority fn his
ayor. Against mis- b, station been agree
ave war. His snemies have auaac'ously claimed mat
power and patronage we're with them He has been
rldieuied Ms II he dared not exercise .he authority
given him by the constitution.
UNITING
The federal odice-bolders nave IN many localities
organs; opposition to MIN and set up a faction
amy Custom House oniciais, bu. pos,mas,srs anc
Dihers that they are not The servants OF any ambi
By suspensions the President has SO. the repuU
mean party ire. lie has won the favor OF those who
com planned CT his hesitation TO act He has taken
away from the faction opposed him their
whole armory. He has stricken dow- the machine,
Ihlnk and act Tor themselves. You may De sure that
,he Custom House cannot be used under the new
irads eilher with Tammany Hal or Mr.. TiIaeps Uuoa
any lair Unbiased expression OF judgment there
D,en no DAY whom The republicans oil New ork would
rot concemn incxcusabis the fact Gus NOV ents
or GRIPPING aud obs rucung the administration Of
NJ. hayes In ma efforts TO correct abuses, orce
lt n. mack tI nPlann
REroRrER-In some papers. Mr.. Roberts, your
naip. Is beginning 10 appear quite ireautntiy us
candidate for United states senator Is with your
assentY
Mr.. RoBrRrs--oh, no. am a candidate for any
Office, elective Or appointed Ny only desrs with rel
rrepce TO the United states scnatorshp Is that re-
pub lean shall elected will unite tho party and
not divide IT, VINO Will represent ITS principles and
hot be the mere champion OF the spos; VINO viii
stand Tor the beat morality ana culture aud sheer
ton
RkroRrxR--Do you think Senator conkiing win 90
Mr. RoBxxrs--A ssuminr that the Interests OF The
party ana the country are 70 control and that the
respected he ought not 10 be regarded the list OF
candidates 1t Is TOO early to make any just calcuia
xx-cossmRssmAS nkmHrAx's VIEWS
Ex-Congressmau G. L. Merriam. VINO has repre-
Tor Two terms Al tnis point came In and sad: "Mr.
Merriam, you have seen much Of public hie-~hat, IN
your opinion, will Dc the result Of the Prcsdents
sciion In suspepdipg the Custom House oficalsy'
Mr.. AERRIAM-I maintain that no man ought TO
stund IA tho way OF tue fresident IN MS Efforts TO
reform his own household. Now, General Arthur Is
old friend Of mne but for all that claim the
ought TO have tho choice OF subor-
aIpatss he alone being responsible to the country Tor
The coliection OF the revenue
HAcoss OPINION
I called upon Juoge Bacon, member OF Congress
from Oneida edo you mink the action oil the PresI-
dent will weaken his iDnucnceY' He replied :-"No
arr. Not ut all His trends have been waiting tor
just such n Demonstration. Thy have ice dis
sppointed that he has not before aker this course
here limit to endurance, aud The federal Dflciss
p state have gone beyond H. The President has
shown great forbcarsnce and Is entitled to the respect
p those opposed to hm, and they will nnd that he
more back Done than they SUR missed. Some persons
suppose this act nae been promoted by personal con
md vIndIctive motive. This action can
be vinoicated on bign puelic grounds. 4 believe u
will take the Custom House OF the sphere
politics machine for aud controlling