The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-05-27


olb BAL incunbsnts merely To make for those
~kom any indi yidua eyen the President, or mem
Der Of his Cabinet wishes to repay being
10 others or seryiceable to him.
Only about two " ars ago the Senate advised Gen.
Merritt 10 be appointed Collector OF New York. II
Is understood that among the Senator'S who ad-
yised wa. MIR. Window, now head OF the department
whose subordinate Gen. Merritt II. Another Sena-
tor known % have given this advice waa MI. Kirk
wood, now Secretary OF the Interior.
II is said hat, like the Postmaster General from
our own State, these Cabinet officers not taken
into c,nsutstion touching the removal OF
Cen. Merritt, but their sworn and ofneizl
seton as Senators IN not the less instructive
rnat the late Secretary Of tho Treasury aud the
ato administration, mp to its expiration, loss than ten
weeks ago. approved OF Gen. Merritt m ON
Ia well known, and Il Is nowhe suggested that any
citizen had rettioned for his removal or that ofcia
delinquency on bis part Is the reason Of II. In the
place or an experienced ofncsr in the midst Of his
term hxed by law, II Is proposed suddenly 70 put
man In who has had no training for the position, and
who cannot 10 said to have special fitness for the
official duties.
In tn. inaugural of President Garfield, delivered
on the 4th of March, stand these words:
"Ths civil service can never be placed a
satisfactory basis until 10 In regulated by law
For the good Of the service itsef, for the pro-
lection % those who intrusted with the appro-
pristion p wer. against waste of time and ohstruc-
ton Of public business caused by inordinats pres
sure for place, and for tho protection Of incumbents
against intrigue aud wrong, shall Ut the proper
time ask Congress TO fx the tenure Of the minor
onices In the several executive departments and
prescribe grounds upon which removals shall be
made during the terms for which the incumbsntS
have been appointed"
How good that distinction 10 which would make
major Offices q prey to intrigue and wrong, and
shield minor Offices from like havoc and whether
the Colectorships OF the country should belong to
the exposed or to the protected class, need not be
decided here Assuming Gen. Merritt to DO an
onicer OF average fitness and honesty, 1t
tors should with slscrity advise his dis
placement for . man OF obvious superiority;
posrbly 1t might be said that all should advise the
selection in Gen. Merrtts place OF who, with
out superior fitness, had rendered his country, or
even his party, conspicuous and exa ted service.
The case in hand does not belong TO either these
classes. The vocation OF Mr. Robertson, and his
Legislative and professional experience and SUR
roundngs, do not denote superiority in Tho qualities
the knowledge business habits and familiarity with
revenue, the laws and system Of the United States
which might make him more competent than
1 s5 Merritt sm,n,, to collect the ys,t revenues
tanning TO the port of New York. Ger
tainly lie cannot in this respect he held exception
to the rule OF right and consistency on which the
constitution and tho laws have placed the public
service. Wo know OF no personal political service
rendered by Mr.. Robertson so transcendant that
the Collectorship Of New York should I've taken
in the midst Of the tern and given him a. a recon.
penss.
r NJ. Robertson is reported by the New York 7rto.
une to declare that his nomination was " reward
reward for bis action deleg ate to the Nauoai
Convention.
If Mr. Robertson, In bis action, was Influenced by
sense Of duty, il he voted and acted his honest
convictions, Ii is difficult to what claim he has
tor any reward not to sp ak Of such great reward.
ihe acion OF which estimate IL thus invited IL
understood to be this:
Mr.. Robertson and sixty-nine other mon accepted
from the State Convention n certain trust. They
sought aud accepted the position of agents or dele
gates 10 the National Convention to administer this
Mat 1aela a1sAla ny I'm
cd judgment and policy to be observed and supported
by those 1t commissioned To this declaration all those
selected as delegates gavo implied consent. Bat
several OF them, In addition, made most specific per-
sonal p edges and engagements 10 exert thensely
in good faith throughout to secure the nomination
OF Gen. Grant
their own appointment as delegates, and they did,
both personally know claim their seats in the Ma
tioual Convention upon the faith OF their personal
statements Of their esrnestness and fidelity. Tho
obligation thus assumed understood to involve
the iLtegrity much as the obligation OF one who
receives proxy of stockholder in corporation
upon the pledge and promise to vote his prime pal
wou d vote.
Whether Mr.. Robertson was or was not himself
bound, not only by honor and implication, but by
expressly giving his word becomes quite immnterial
IN view OF the reclaim made for him. 1t is insisted
that he organized the bolt this is to say that no
invited, persuaded and induced others whom he
knew had given their word, and had obtained their
seats by doing 30, To violate their word, and betray
not only the Republicans assembled in State Conyen-
tion but the Republicans Of their districts well,
who had trusted ia their honor. Whoever counses
and procures another to do q dishonest dishonor-
able act must share with that other the guilt, and
should share also tho odium justly attaching to it.
We are, therefore, all wholly unable, upon what
ground We put 1t, to see any justification for
ourselves should we become parties to using the
public trusts which belong TO the people TO requite
such service in such modes.
But the appliances employed to effect the results
set new standards of responsibility and invade, as
believe, the truths and principles on which the
separate and coordinate branches OF the Govern
ment stand. Senator has his responsibility
He lie amenabe TO his State and 10 the body Of which
he is member He IL bound by his oath 10 advise
and consent" on his conscience and Judgment be-
fore God. Whatever OF whoever else may cOnstrain
him, he il TO be exempt from executive lnensco or
disfayo: on the one hand and executive inducement
on the other.
A LONG standing order OF the House OF Commons
has been the dec aration that member shall suffer
expulso who reports the wishes OF the exeou-
tive head OF the Government to influence votes of
members. The ritish constitution Is not more
jealous than ours in this regard. To give advice,
and honest independent advice, rs to appointments
proposed, is much the right aud duty OF Senator
il Is the right and duty IF the President to pro-
pose names Be his advice way other, 1t in no
act Of disrespect or treason 10 tho nominal
ing power than the verdict Of juror the decision
Of Judge.
The idea that the Senate IL simply to and out
VIII is wanted and then DO 1t cannot believe safe
or admissible. And thus far no party has dared or
descended 10 set up such test Of party ndeiitv or
In this instance such prominence has been given
to the object, and such disgust been expressed Of
the correctness OF our positions that think 1t right
and dutiful to submit the matter TO the power to
which bound and ever ready 10 bow.
The Legislature is In session. 1t s Republican in
majority, aud New York sbounds in sons quite as
able we TO bear her message and commission In
the senate Of the United States.
With profound OF tho obligation owe,
with devotion t. the Republican party and its creed
II " Liberty and Right" with reyerent attschme n
the great State whore interests and honor dear
to us, Wa hold 1t respectful and becoming to make
room for those who y correct all errors we have
made, and interpret Alright all duties have mis-
conceived. We therefore inclose resignstions,
but hold fast the privilege as citizens anu Eepub-
leans to stand for the constitutional rights Of all
and Of al representatives whether Of tho States
the nation or the people
We have the honor to be, very respectfully, your
obodieEt servants,
Roscoe CoNKLNe,
THOMAS c. PLATT.
The Associated Press reporter, telegraphing
from Washington on the 1eth inst, says Of
the Conkling coup d etdt: