The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-05-21
TIte Democratic Adrutate.
SATURDAY, MAY 81, 1881.
Resignation of Senators OOnkling and Platt.

AsSoAS3 AeHhASAAS " S4--N~SS-@
The political sensation of the week was
the resignation of Senators Conkliug and
Plat, of New York. This action, as ap-
pears in their letter of resignation to Gov.
Cornell, was the result of antagonism be-
tween them and President Garfield. Sen
ator ConkliDg desired the control of CERTAIN
federal offices in New York, notably that
of collector of the port of New York city,
and because Mr.. Garfield did not yield to
the wishes of this imperious Senator, he
made up bill of complaint against the
President, added his resignation, induced
Senator Platt to do the same, and for
warded it to the Governor of his State.
This step is unprecedented in American
nolitics. The difference between the Sen
ators and the President upon such trivial
matter as the dispensation of a little party
patronage, furnished no good ground for
such action. What object Mr. Conkhng
had in view is difficult to perceive, but the
general opinion was that, feeling confident
Of reelection, be could appeal to the peo-
Mo Of his State. secure an endorsement of
his antagonism to the administration, and
return to the Senate, backed by his State,
to hurl defiance at the President and his
Secretary-of-State. In that event, even,
Mr.. Conkling must have calculated Tar
into the future. He must have known
that no election could have been made
until Tuesday next, and by that time the
nomination of Judge Robertson would have
been confirmed, and his return to the
Senate would not have advantaged him IN
the contest. His and Platts designations
left the Democrats in the majority. The
Democrats at the beginning of the session
decided not to clog Mr. Garfeld's admin
istration, but to confirm his appointments
at once; and as no objection to the eapa-
city and ftress of Judge Robertson was
made, they could not have expected post
ponement until their return.
But, if Senator Conkling was looking to
future contingencies, even, he has counted
without his host. for his reelection at this
writing looks very doubtful His power
in New York seems to be broken and has
oyersbadowing influence goue. His course,
last year, in packing State convention IN
the interest of Grant aud the third-term,
sntagonized many Of his party, aud IN
leading the third -termers at Chicago he
further disguised respectable number OF
his former followers. He succeeded, how
yer. in carrying a majority Of the Lesisla-
ture last fail. and in securing the election
to the United States Senate Of his friend
Pla,t. With a colleague upon whom he
could confidently rely, and basing conf
denee ia his popularity with his party Sen
a,ors he set to work to dictate to the ad-
mioissration regarding certain federal ap-
poiatments In doiag this he was not
sustained in the Senate, at home or by his
party throughout the country. When
Judge Robertson, whom be 50 bitterly oP-
pOsed. was confirmed, the very Legislature
that ne last fall controlled, threw up their
hats with JOY. Members Of the Legisla-
tare who were his ardent supporters last
winter. have deserted bin, aud there Is no
urospect Of his re collection, nor that Of Mr..
Plat. 1t IS impossible to fereshadow the
outcome Of the matter, bat at present 1t
would seem that both Conkliug aud Plat
viii withdraw from the Senatorial contest,
for neither can afford to be beaten.