The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-05-10
backed Dewn-A Bemb shell.


The Republican Senators have so far backed
down a. to consent to go into executive session
for the consideration Of treaties and nominations.
This was done on Wednesday last, and was con-
tinued from day TO day until Saturday. The
Chinese treaty and other treaties before the Sen
ate were ratified. and large number of uncon-
tested nominations confirmed.
On Friday the President threw bomb shell
into the camp by Withdrawing all Of the promi-
nent New York nominations except Judge Rob
ertson, for Collector of Customs at the port of
New York The nominations withdrawn were
mostly friends of Senator Conkling, and this
unexpected movement by the President is said
TO have caused great excitement in Washington
The Star of the 9Th says: "The excitement
over the withdrawal of the New York nomina
tons has not subsidized whit In hotels, on
street corners and in public places, it is the only
theme of gossip. The history of the Presidents
decisive action is said to be as follows: He has
been tolerant with Mr.. Conkling, indulging the
hope that the Republican side of the Senate
would even tualty be able to secure decent treat
mentof executive nominations. After the long
delay, however, he expressed to the Committee
" w
an understanding would be reached whereby ex-
ecutive business would be proceeded with. The
caucus was held, and its proceedings are now
historic Senator Conkling succeeded in max
ing an arrangement whereby all contested nomi-
nations were sent to the rear, and not TO be
acted upon until all others were disposed Of
This was triumph for Mr.. Conkling and hui
initiation to the President, It's effect was that
all Mr. Conklings friends nominated for office
were to be confirmed, and then the New York
Senator intended TO muster his forces and crowd
the President to the wall by having Robertson's
nomination rejected. This the President deter
mined to prevent, and the result was the bomb
fred yesterday int the camp of bosses. 1t did
not come any too soon. 1t had been the inten
ton of the Conkling men to confirm all the New
York appointments except Robertson, and then
either adjourn without disposing of his case or
have long delay. There has been strong in
fuence exerted with the President to-day TO in
duce him to also withdraw Robertson and start
New York nominations anew. This, however,
the President will not listen to. He takes the
ground that Robertson is honest, competent and
a good Republican, and that it would be injus-
lice 10 MIN 10 recall HcIt ID SCuIC
talk that the emergencies of the situation now
require another caucus, and il is not improbable
| that one will be held Saturday. The very inter
esting question is, what will the President do
with the candidates withdrawn in case Judge
| Robertson is confirmed? The Presidents friends
say in such an event he will nominate them be
cause not 10 do SO would be taci acknowl
edgement that they were unworthy to be nomi-
mated at all. The Presidents motives, as con
strued by his friends in making the Withdrawals
were to prevent the New York Senator from
making any discrimination touching New York
appointments Senator Conkling's friends say
the Presidents action is unwise, and that il
means trouble, that worse than all he is endeav
oring to override the action of the Senate caucu:
with the power of patronage. 1t is certain
however that public feeling is largely with the
President. Already he IS in receipt of kilograms
from all quarters, and from Democrats as wei
as Republicans, endorsing his action. 1t is con
sidered certain now that Robertson will be con
firmed. A large proportion of the Democratic
Senators will vote for him. A friend of Senate
Conkling to-day said to him that he believed tn
confirmation of Robertson could not be- pre-
vented. The reply OF the New York Senate
was to the effect that he did not share this opin
ion; that the matter was not yet settled by an
meansr