New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-04-23
THE C0LLEcToRSHIP CONTEST.

Senator Conkling appears tO he preparing ior
himself a most humliating defeat. His worst
enemy could not wish to sce him placed III n
worse position than the one which he seems re-
solved 10 take. The State of New York Is not
unmindful of his abilities, and has n" wish l."
see him Inundated But it does not forget That
the controversy in which he has now engaged
arises from his attempt to dictate To the lIcNl-
dent of the United States. II he forces the
conntrv to decide whether il has determined Il"
in,rtst the Executive power 10 James y. Car
field or to Roscoe ConlIing, there can be no
doubt rs to the verdict.
While General Grant was President, Senator
Conklng welded a vast power IN tbs state
II WAS the pleasure of the President To deter
greatly to his wishes 1t may Ice that General
Grant himself does not know, even to THIS day,
how much his hold upon the public confidence
was shaken by the course of the Senator whose
counsel he So often accepted But the power
which the Senator then held was Voluntarily
given to him hy the President whom the people
had chosen. The trouble began when Nr.
Conklng sought to WELD the same power uno'r
another President who was not disposed to give
it. His persistent and angry demand ana 'h'
determined refusal of President Hayes are
well remembered, aud MIR. Conkling probably
does not realize how far his own course escaped
ccnsure because of the disagreement of lIc>i-
dent Hayes with the majority of his party ON
questions of public policy. The Senator dId
not prevail in the struggle. But the occasion
permitted him to claim that he represented the
will of majority of Republicans and 10y mix
ing up the question of appointments with other
matters, he partly succeeded in Disgusting the
personal usurpatiOn of power which he at
tempted.
President Garfield stands on different foot
ing. Beyond question he Representa- the Will
and enjoys the confidence of very large
majority of Republicans. II will he found i'm
possible to represent that any divergence Of
opinion, in respect to public questions, has
placed the President in minority within his
party. If it is said that he recognizes, by the
appointment Of Senator Robertson, the right OF
a delegate to regard the wishes OF his c0nsutu-
ents, the answer is that the Republican Ma
tional Convention decided in that matter
against Senator Conkling and in favor of the
course taken by Mr.. Robertson. Senator Conk-
ling will not venture to put his opposition on
that ground, for, in doing 80. he would confess
has no excuse for his opposition except this,
that the selection made by the President II per
sonally displcasing to him. But II he gives
that excuse, he openly asserts lis night I" die
tate TO the President aS 10 New York appoint
rnents General Grant himself would not have
tolerated such usdrpatiOn. The power which he
willingly suffered Mr.. COnkllng Ia WELD he
would have Indignantly refused +" surrender. II
that surrender had been demanded ~ night.
The people did not elect Nh. C0uklug i'Ic~i.
dent: that is the bottom of the matter. And
yc, lac wants to WELD Presidential power.
The Republican Senators will think twice he
fore they support any sucl attempted u>i'tla-
ton No doubt many al them would be pleased
10 bc consulted in respect Ia certain appoint
mcnts, but they will not claim the right To die
tate 10 the President. II will hccOinc very clear
To them, before vote is reached. that every
Scuator vino votes 10 sustain M COnkling ~
his course virtually joins with him IN an attempt
to usurp power which the people have iulru7trd
to the President. The power of the Senate To
confirm appointments was not given Ia that
body for the qualification of the personal like,
or dislikcs of Senator'S 1t was given solely to
guard against ill-indgcd az ill-iniormcd -clcc-
tons of unworthy men. The Senate has night
to reject the nomination of an improper or unfit
person. But, as between proper and tit men, 1t
has no right whatever to usufp the President \
power of choice. Senators know that the people
will not sustain them in trying thus 10 strip the
President of part of the power which the people
have ntrusted to him. They can lOrcscc the
public Indignation which will arise if Senators
attempt to set themselves up a. masters of the
people and of the peoples President. Hence
when it appears that Mr. Robertson il proper
and worthy man, Senators will not venture to
assert, by voting against him, that the appoint
ing power belongs TO them and not to the Presi
dent.
Neither will Republican Senators lend them
selves to tear the party to pieces by II fight of
factions because one Senator cannot have his
own way in every instance. The Republican
party is more important than any man in it.
To the President it has intrustcd the delicate
duty of making such selections for office. with
due regard for the public welfare, as shall do
Justice to different interests and elements
within the party. Thus far the President has
discharged that duty with great fairness, and
with an evident desire to do no injustice The
Republican party is not going to split up and to
get itself beaten, because one Senator refuses TO
be satisfied unless he can have everything.
ELECTRIC STREET LAMPS