Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-05-16
THINGS AT WASHINGTON.

THINGS At WASHINGTON.
How Was Stanley Mathews Confirmed:
New York Sun Correspondence.
"The confirmation of Matthews by the
nearly unanimous vote of the Southern
Democratic senator's" remarked gentle
man who had taken deep interest against
him, is something to think of. Of the
influences behind this extraordinary vote
will not speak now with positiveness.
There is something unusual about it that
cannot fail to be severely criticised.
Lamar is strong with his party, no doubt,
but this was not party question, though
the nearly solid South for Matthews gives
didate of the big corporations does not
perfectly explain it.
" You ask me if it is not a fact that
Gen. Garfield has arranged with Demo-
cratic senators for the confirmation Of all
his pet nominees
circumstances certainly favor that view.
If Chandler goes through, l shall then
think it is the true one. On every ground
on which Democrats could be expected to
act they must stand opposed to Chandler.
At present see no evidence that they
will stand for him as they stood for Mat
thews. Therefore am searching for other
reasons for the solid South for Matthews.
I agree with you that it is reasonable
suggestion that Democratic senators went
for him for the reason that Gould & Co.
wanted him to be confirmed, a reason that
in my judgment ought to have defeated
him. 1t is the first time judge of the
supreme court has got Lis scat rs the IA
vOrite of the money pOwer-Of the cOrpOr-
ate interests that are grasping for every
branch Of the government. The result
makes true an important part Of Senator
Davis's letter, and will perhaps open the
eyes of the people, though too late, I
fear"
Concerning tho suggestion that Garfield
has bargained with Democratic senators to
help him through with his quarrel will,
Conkling For some days the White
House garrison have been in bo6ter spirits,
unusually defiant. Blaine has been spec
tally active, active for the first time, in
fact. Since Fosters visit, new element
seems to have been at work. That bar
gain of some kind is at the bottom OF it
all is the opinion of not few. The fact
is, the administration was pushed to
| where even desperate means had to be
adopted. Time was short, the prospect
doubtful. Garfield had the spoils,
but knew not more than child
how to use them for such pur-
pose. He has got help and Democratic
senators and the administration are alike
open to the suspicion of having bargaincd
on the basis of the spoils. Certainly there
can be no avoiding the conclusion if Gar
| fields nominations continue to be Con-
firmed by the votes of Democratic sena
tors. 1t was seen from the first that il it
came to this, Conkling would fail inevita-
bly,. eff you suffer yourself to be beaten, y
said q Western administration manager to
Garfield last week, cit will prove to the
country the weakness which your enemies
so persistent!y charge against you. Defeat
now will be defeat perpetually." 1t is ar
guments and proddings like this that avail
credited with the responsibility of things.
feels them also. Hence his activity of
late.
| Garfield and Blaine have more nomina-
tians to make yet. There is a mystery in
the way they are held back 1t is because
the arrangement for confirmations is not
yet complete? Has tie bargain been for
the special few. and not for the entire
batch? The desire for an early adjourn
ment is growing 1t may take place even
earlier than is now thought. 1t may come
for the special reason and at the particular
moment when Mr.. Conkling can spring it
as the certain way of circumventing Gar
field on Robertson. No doubt that is one
| of COnkling'S reserved movements. With
great advantages where spoils are not the
arguments ayains. him, he is hard pressed
now. Beyond single doubt strategy is
his only hope. And somebody is employ
ing that weapon against him, You may
be sure it is not Garfield himself. AS one
after another of the complicated cases is
cleared of, the administration is freer to
act. 1t wanted Matthews. 1t has got
him, and is all the stronger for the next
case. Besides the taste OF victory begcts
courage. The spoils already acquired
what the desire of men, senator or not.
Still the peacemakers go about. The
defiant prOmptness with which their pro-
positions are rejected by Garfield leaves
no manner Of doubt of his own confidence
as to the issue. 1t it suggested, however,
that he is desperate, and is merely acting
on the sink or swim idea. More likely it
is courage inspired by backing. Garfield
is never courageous unless backed
strongly. Blaine and others, till quite re-
Gently, have been willing he should try
his hand with Conkling. Seeing him be-
ing whipped in detail, and realizing the
stake they had in the issue, they have
come to his rescue with such means as
they possess, aud they possess what might
reasonably be counted on to win. If they
don't win it will be one of the very few
exceptions to the general rule.
eff COnkling is beaten in the Robertson
issue, what will he do?" This question l
put to one of COnkling's stron. men and
one of his closest friends in New York.
"While am not authorized in any man.
her to speak to him, will give it as my
opinion that Conkiing will not go to open
war OH SO narrow an issue. No doubt he
feels all that gentleman can feel Of in
dignatiOn and scOrn to the man who has
lied to him and made his faithlessness clear
in dozen different ways. Yet the sena-
tor is a man Of too broad views not to pre-
ceive the difficulties of bringing all
who feel with him into united re-
belIion against the administration.
Remember, Garfield has nearly four
years to serve, during which time Mr..
Conkling will have opportunities to
strengthen HIMSELF Besides, Garfield VIII
have need of help from all quarters to save
himself. With Robertson confirmed, |
would rather be in Conkling's place, SO
far as the future is concerned than Gar
fields. Henceforth after that the admin.
istratiOn will have occasion to husband its
resources. which arc barely sufficient to
keep itself aflOat in the best Of weather.
A variety of experience is before Garfield.
1t is bound to be stormy. No; l don't
think COnklng will do more than bide his