Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-05-17
THE SENATE SENSATION.
The Talk About Town.

Ine supreme topic OF conversation on the
streets, In the hotels and In the departments Is
the course pursued by'Senators Conkling and
Platt In resigning from the United States Sen
ate. While those not connected with public
life freely give their opinions, public men are
exceedingly reticent, and when questioned
touching the complication make evaSive an
sWers. 1t Is reported that at the caucus held
after the failure to effect any compromise, Sem
at0r COnkling said: "Well, gentlemen, Will
take step next Monday that will clear the
thing up." Nobody had any idea he contem-
plated resigning from the Senate, but Thought,
rather, he would let the fight go by default and
END the struggle over Robertson by allowing q
vote to be taken.
Senators Conkling and PIatt were both In the
city yesterday. COnkltng did not go to the
Senate at all. Platt was in the Vice Presi-
dents room about one O'Clock, and left for New
OF the Post ONCE committee, the nomination Of
Elmer to be second assistant postmaster gen
eral was referred to him. Elmer is a personal
friend OF Platts. Yesterday morning he handed
the nomination back to Charm an Ferry. -"Bur
you make no recommendation" said Ferry.
NO." said Platt. Il have none to make / do
not want 1t TO be said that am responsible for
any appointment under this administration. T"
Ferry took the nomination, and reported the
facts to the Senate yesterday afternoon, and
Elmer was unanimously confirmed.
CoEKLING's PERSONAL FRIENDS THINK HIS COURSE
UNwISE
Those most Indignant over Senator Conk-
llnR's course are his personal friends. These
say that he should have advised them OF the
step he was about to take. 1nasmucn as his
own and Senator Platt s retirement leaves the
democra ats In possession OF the Senate. Coak-
lng's side meet this with the declaration thar
neither OF the New York Senators are under
any obligations to either the President or the
Senate. Certainly not to the President, ana as
the republicans OF the Senate were about to
desert them they were under no obligations to
md dy tr,
Eumi1ate them.
Another statement touching last Fridays
caucus is this: Senator Conkling. found
Robertson would certainly pc confirmed, for
the President would not Withdraw him. Logan
Vs VINO M had stood by Conkling up TIL then, told
Robertson TO save himself. Then and there
Conkl1ng told Logan he had done with all eau.
cuses; that he should never again go into one,
as the Senate was then made up and he should
In his own way, upon his own responsibility,
and In his own good time, decide what his next
step should be. on the same day Senator
Platt left for New York and returned Sunday
night
Now, the theory is, that before Platt left for
New York. himself and Conkling made up their
minds to take the decisive step which culml-
consulted with the friends OF Conkling In New
York as to the situation and to make sure that
the legislature would promptly elect them ii
they resigned.
THR MEANING OF IT.
The interesting question which now agltates
the public mind is what do Senators Conklipg
and Platt mean? The general belief is this:
They have resigned, fully believing they Will
be again elected. II they are returned they
Will, OF course, make the issue before the New
York legislature that they cannot, and will
not, support the administration. Hence, II re-
elected, both will have been returned on the
distinct issue, as anti administration Senator's.
They Will be independent OF the republicans in
the Senate. Will be booted and spurred to make
war on whomsoever they please, and will, as
COMING ing annonnced refuse to again caucus
Some OF the Conkltng men say that he has
taken the right course to vindicate himself He
has made the point all along that In opposing
the confirmation OF Judge Robertson he was not
was In obeying the behests OF the republicans
OF New York. "N0w," say his friends, "Conk-
ling has put the administration In a position
where 1t must test it's strength. II the New
loIk legislature. which ought to represent the
people, sends him back to the Senate, it will be
an enforcement Of his course and rebuke to
the PRESIDENT and the Senate as WELL"
y1Ews OF SOME OF THE DEMOCRATS.
A lew democratic Senators last night were
discussing the situation With the view OF turn
Ing 1t to the beneflt of the narty. some of them
favor the holding OF an immediate caucus, to
ascertain the feasibility OF reorsanizing the
committees. They now realize the mistake
they made In allowing the republicans to take
having, as they claim. legal majority. They
also feel certain that in case the two New York
senators are returned they can never be In
dnced to act In harmony with the republicans
be fully justified In taking course to secure
The committees, and that public sentiment Will
sustain them. Still no movement 1t Is thought
VIII be made at this session.