National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-05-11
Corruption in Concert.

dent TO withdraw Judge Robertson's name in the
interest of harmony that their motive was a
purely selfish one. They do not wish to antagonze
the administration, and they do wish to please
Senator Conkling. If the name is not withdrawn,
but is brought to vote, they will be obliged to
take stand one side or the other. 1t is try
ing situation. They want favOrs at the White
House, and they know it would be awkward to
ask for them after voting against the administra-
ton. As an easy way out they would like to see
the President surrender. 1t is modest of them to
ask it. and uncOmmOnly queer in the President to
decline to do it. What is he i'll the White House
for except to make the able Senators happy ?-NeV
York Tribune.
The foregoing from the leading court
journal is on the same line with an ex-
tract we published yesterday from Murat
Halstead's Cincinnati Commercial, in which
Senator Platt was offered the retention of
Second Assistant Postmaster-G General
Elmer if he would vote for Robertson's
nomination, and fatty notified that
ElmeT's name would be withdrawn from
the Senate if a contrary course was pur-
sued The Tribune is very explicit. 1t
declares that it will be awkward
for any Senator to venture recon-
mendations to the President here
after who shall now vote against Robert
son. All of which harmonizes with the
declaration of the President himself in
the following words: " | am determined
to learn who are my friends, and such as
fail me srU hereafter require letter of intro
ducfion" 1t is also in strict accord with
his declaration to a prominent Repub-
lican, as reported in the Tribune, that
"the rOtes Of Senator's upon this question
acOutd be q test Of PERSONAL and political
trieRdIja6Ss." The most amazing element
in all this is that those who applaud these
performances the loudest are those who
have for years been engaged in tearing
down the Republican party because they
said it was based on the "spoils system"
They dreaded imperialism " under
Grant. Now they see President dictat-
ing to the Senate that it shall confirm
men appointed by him in payment of
political debts. and his chief organs
correspondent writes from his own
table at the White House that
men are to be selected for office
who will set up the political ma
chinery for Garfeld's denomination in
1884. To mention such things once would
have set the country afame. Now that
they are the common and open methods
of an administration the people will re-
buke them when next they speak. An
drew Johnson thought he had the peo-
pie with him. But he learned that noise
and numbers were two different things.
THE real question is as to the proper or improper
use of an unquestioned legal power, by the Pre<i-
dent in nominating or Withdrawing and by Sena-
tors in confirming or rejecting. When certain
Senators undertook to defeat proper aud credita-
BILE nomination for personal, selfish. and unpa-
triotic ends, they attempted to uSurp a power
which did not of right belong to them, and that
usurpation the President justly reSists-Ne1V York
Tribune.
al iaIcrpre the nominations of President Garfield as
an indication that he Intends 10 REWARD THE MEN qcao
made possible his NOMINATION AT CHIcAGo"-WILL-
lam H. ROBERTSON.
Robertson is the pure patriot in whose
behalf the party is to be torn down. The
above language was used by him in COM
menting on his own nomination, and is
taken from the New York TIba,ae'S Al
bany dispatch of March %, published the
following day. The Tribune prates flip
PANTY of personal ends. The nomination
of Robertson was not fit to be made, be-
cause he betrayed trust at Chicago, and
he should not be confirmed for the addi-
tional reason that he boldly declares that
he believes he was nominated as a rewdrd
for his vote in a political convention. If
this is not disgraceful prostitution Of the
appointing power, will the New York
tribune find lower depth to which Ex-
ecutive power might go to pay off conven-
ton debts?