New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-05-06
A SENATORIAL SURPRISE.

A@OS~ ''sc, r1yv xxrcuTrvE--AN EARLY AID
JoURSMESr PROBABLE
tRv TELEGRAPH TO TuE TRIBUNE'i .
WASHINGTON, May 5.-The courtesy oi 'n'
ssnataD suffered rude shock to-day, ana 'ho MA,
obinery devised by the Committee OF SAFETY anu
psrfected by the wisdom OF hepnoiioan caucus "
uahle single Senator, if Republican. to exercise
- newer in the matter of appointments as
Sos the President of tho United States, was thrown
completely out of gearing. All this was accom-,
nlisbaa nv short message from President Garheiu
withdrawing the following nomi~ ~stions
rl;,top u McDougall, United States Marshal
Northern District of New-York 49,
T. pawn. United States Marshal Southern Dis
trict of New-York.
stewart L. Woodfori United States District-At-
torney Southern District Of New-York.
A. W. Tenney, United States DlstrietAttorney
Eastern District Of New-York.
John Tyler, Collector OF the Port OF Bunaio NIeeA
This message was received by Republican senators
with considerable surprise, and was disagreeable
reminder to some of them that the President still
has a voice in making appointments to Office, and Is
mt wholly dependent upon the caprice or consent OF
any one Senator who happens to be member OF lhe
Republican caucus. 1t can hardly be asserted how
ever. that the President took this action without
careful deliberation or thst il took everybody en-
tirely by surprise.
The yice-P President and Senator Platt called on
the President this morning, and held conference
with him on the subject of the New-York nomlna-
tons. They urged him, in the interest OF Repnoh-
can harmony, to withdraw all those nominations
inchding that of Judge Robertson. The Pres-
dent aid not take kindly to this proposition
and suggested instead that it might be
good plan to withdraw all the nominations
except that of Judge Robertson, which could
take the usual course. Then should Judge
Robertson fail to be confirmed, the whole slate
would be clear and new nominations could be made
This suggestion it is understood received with
unpleasant surprise by the Vice-Presdent and SEN
ator Plstt who felt more inclined 10 regard 1t as
hostile proposition than as an offer Of compromise
The conference ended without any definite under
standing any direct expression by the president
Of his intention to withdraw all the nominations ex
cept that Of Judge Robertson and the ENJOYS pro-
ceeded to the Capitol rather disappointed with the
result Of their mission. q
When the message reached the Senate that body
was in executive session, engaged In the discussion
of one of the treaties with China. Senator Conk-
ling was occupied with the perusal of letter when
the message was read by the Clerk and IL is said
that the Ncw-York Senator apparently paid no heed
to the reading of the short communication, which
meant so much to him. Significant smiles were ex-
changed among Democratic Senator'S; "Admnistra-
lings supporters looked gloomy. Everybody ap-
peared TO be taken by surprise, although it is posi-
BILE that few Senators had received hint Of what
was coming.
The message has been the one topic Of discussion
amo ng politicians in Washington this evening Mr..
COnklings friends are exceedingly angry, and de-
clare that an open breach between between him and
the Administration is inevitable They seek to
create the impression that Mr.. Conklingis an abused
and prosecuted man. 1t ought TO be remembered
however, that within the last two days, these same
gentlemen have strongly asserted. and the news
papers known as Conkling organs have repeated
and dwelt upon the assertion, that
the nominations of Messrs. WoOdford,
Payn. McDougall, TeDney and Tyler could not be
regarded as having been made In Mr. Conklings in
terest. "Mr. Conkling has had nothing from the
Administration declared these gentlemen some
of the New-York appointments credited 10 his infu
ence are not such appointments as he would have
recommended had he been consulted Now these
same gentlemen are solemnly shaking their heads
and declaring that the withdrawal of these nomina-
tions is challenge to battle which Senator COnk-
ling viii be compelled to accept" There appears to
atrifng inconsistency somewhere in regard TO this
subject.
Not all Of Mr.. Conkling's friends. however, take
90 gloomy view Of the situation although they do
of them was asked tonight IL he thought the Presi-
dent would conclude TO withdraw the nomination of
Judge Robertson "y have no reason to expect it,"
he replied " / think that he win make a mistake
unless he does. 1t would be altogether better for
the Republican party IL no would do So"
There some Senators who, although they are
not regarded as among Mr.. Conklng's personal fol-
lowers, sympathize with him under the circum-
stances, mainly because they place very high esti-
mate upon the value of what is called Senatorial
courtesy and desire much as possible to control
appointments In their respective States Such men
art notDelned to be greatly pleased with display of
Independence on the part Of the Executive.
Democratic Senators are generally pleased with
the action OF the President mainly Of course hecause
they hope thereby to reap some political advantage
from threatened disscnsons in the Republican
party. They eyince general dispoaition to move
and vote for the confirmation of Judge Robe tsons
nomination, and should the matter come TO a test
probably all but five or six of thsm would vote in
the Affirmative.
As to the motives which led to .he adoption Of the
course taken by the President to-day, there is
reason to doubt that the action Of the last Republ
can caucus made il plain to him, es IL did TO all
other observers, that senator Conking's entire in
6uence was being exerted TO bring about an adj
iournment of the Senate after having secured the
confirmation Of all nominations made in
Ms own interest, bat leaving that OF
Jules Robertscn tied up in the Committee on
Commerce until nextx falh There was an under
Standing to be sure, tha. the Republican Senators
should have another caucus over the " contested
hsmnsssonSS but the advantages were manfest'y
upon senator Conklings Gde, and the eXhlbf
.s'hs % hts power in the caucus ard
.ao seassa have been too recent and
=" sgnlnsaas 70 lsaye much doubt Of the result, |
snsuia az ths naniastions except that Of Judge !
,sosertson DO eonErned-a result which promised 20 !