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

nesignatiOn - enc New York soma
tOrs-Statsznene a. the Reasons That

tOrs-Saatsunsne a the Reasons That
Impclicd Them 10 such n Course.
Tho controversy between the President and
Senator Conkling over the nomination OF Judge
Robertson to be Collector Of the port of New
York eliminated. on tho 10th INST, in the resig-
nation, by Senators Conkling and Plat, OF their
seats In the United States Senate. The action
Of the New York Senators in rendering their
designations, it u needless to say, created a
profound sensation at the national capital, and
was . sharp surprise to the country at large.
Messrs. Conkling and Plat addressed the fol-
lowing letter to the Governor OF New York,
defining their position, and explaining their
reasons for rssignng;
WASHINGTON, May IA, 1881.
To His Exoslsncy A. b. Cornell, Governor:
SIN: Transmitting, ~ we do, our designations, re-
spectivciy, Of the great trusts with which New York
has honored us, 1t 4, at that acquaint you, and
through you the Legislature and the people OF the
State, with the which, In Judgment make
such step respectful and necessary. Some weeks
ago the President Of the United States sent to the
Senate in group the nomination of several persons
for pubic Offices already hed- One OF these Offices
Ia the Collectorship Of the Port Of New York,
now held by Gen. Merritt; another 10 the Con-
sui oensralship At London. now held BY Gen.
Badeau; another II the Charge d. Anaires
at Denmark, held by Mr.. Cramer; another
h the mission to Switzerland, held by Mr.. Fish, the
son Of the former distinguished Secretary Of State
Mr.. Fish had, In Difference to anc ent practice,
placed his position at the disposal OF the admin
istration, but, like other persons named, ready
to remain at his post II permitted to do 80.
All these ofncerr, save oaly Mr.. Cramer, are cti-
them all not Tor any alleged faults al vantage Of
the public service, but Ia order to give the great
Office Of Collector of the Port Of New York to Mr..
William Ii. Robertson reward for certain acts of
his which said 10 have aided in making the nom-
nation Of Gen. Garfield possible.
The chain Of removals thus proposed
broken by Gen. Badoau promptly declining
to accept the post to which he was to be sent.
These nominations summoned every member Of the
Senate to say whether he advised such transaction.
The movement was more than q surprise. We had
been told only few hours before that no removals
OF New York officers we're soon to lie made
considered, and had been requested to withhold the
papers and suggestions bearing the subje which
had been sent to for presentation, should occasion
arise until we had notice from the President Of his
readiness to receive them.
Learning that the Vice President was equally
surprised, and had been equally msled, We sent
TO Mr.. James, the Cabinet officer from our State,
and learned that though he had spent time
with the President on the morning of the day the
nominations sent in, no disclosure OF the in
that the fret he knew OF the matter by hearsay
following the event
After earnest reflection and consultation we be-
leved the preceding unwise and wrong, whether
considered who j. in relation to the preservation and
integrity of the public service and public example
to be- set in relation also to the integrity Of tho
OF comment or censure was made by
eithor Of US, In the Senate or elsewhere.
On the contrary, We thought that Che President
would reconsider the action, 30 sudden and hasty,
and would at least adopt less hurtful and objection
able modes Of requting personal or individual
vice. In this hope, the following paper WAS pre-
pared, signed and presented by Mr.. James 10 the
President, who was subsequently informed that you
had authorized your name to DO added also;
To the President:
We beg leave TO demonstrate against the change
In the Collectorship OF New York by the removal
Of Mr.. Merritt and the appointment Of Mr..
Robertson. The proposal was wholly surprise.
We heard OF II only when several nominations
involved In the plan announced in the
Senate. We had only two days before this been in
formed from you that change in the customs off,
at New York not contemplated, and, quite
ignorant of the purpose 10 take any acton now we
had no opportunity until after the nominations
make tho suggestions We now present. We do Tot
be eye that the interests Of the public service will be
promoted 10y removing the present Collector and
putting Mr.. Robertson IN his stead. Our opinion Is
quite the reverse, and beieYe no political adj
vantage can he gained for either the Republican
party its principles. Believing hat ind, idua
has caiins or obligations hich should be lqudated
in such n mode, earnestly AID respectfully ask
that tho nomination of Mr.. Robertson be withdrawn
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
g. c. PLArr.
THOMAS l.. JAMES
Roscoe CoNKLINo.
This psJs- was preren ted to the President by Mr.
James ON Monday, the 2Sth day Of March. Knowing
the frequency with which every of the twenty
Presidents II the republic had withdrawn nomins-
tons less serious ropres entstons, and thu similar
shd marked practice of tue present incumbent, we
did not apprehend that such u suggestion would be
Intrusion invasion Of any prcrogatyc OF the
nominating power We were disappointed Immo-
dstsly the public press, especially in articles and
dispatches written BY those in close AM constant
association with the President and with influential
IN witt vi nlsnt d
nunciatons of the Senators from New York for
Composing the administration aud debating to the
President
Persons who visited the Executive Mansion report.
Cd the President As resentful and impatient of the
hesitation Of the Sen2te to advise and consent 10
body. We have at all times refused 10 questions
from rep csontatiyes OF the press, make COM
plant or comment or even denial Of many truthoss
charges published against us 10y ofcious champions
Of the administration. Indeed, beyond oonhdeatial
consultations with brother Senators and ofiics's we
hrvs said nothing until now upon this subject. Nor
have we or either Of us promoted the deadlock in
the Senate " in order TO prevent influence action
on any nomination; nor have We ever stated.
Immediately after TIE nominations were published
letters and te.egrams in great num ers came from
every part of the State, from is leading citizens,
protesting against the proposed changes, and con-
demning them on many grounds. severa Thousands
OF the leading mercantile nrms Of New York, consti-
tuting, informed, majority OF every
branch Of trade, sent Inconsistencies sixty of the
eighty lone Republican members of the Assembly, 10y
letter or memorial, made objection. Representative
in Congress, State officials business mon, profes-
siona men, commercial industrial and political or
CARNATIONS among the remonstrAnts aud they
speak from every section Of the State.
Beside the nominations already referred 10, there
awaiting the action of the Senate several citi-
zeRs of New York named for Offices connected with
the courts District Attorneys and Marshals). Most
Of them had been originally Commissioned by Mr..
Hayes. They were certified by Judges Of courts
and many other eminent persons, who sttested the
faitnfuness end merit Of their services and
mended their continuance They were not presented
by US. We have not attempted 10 dictate, have
we asked the nomination OF one person to any ONCE
in the State Indeed, with the sos exception Of the
written request set forth above, we have even
expressed opinion to the President In any case,
unless questioned In regard to it.
Some days ago, the President abruptly withdrew,
In one and the same act, the names of Gen. Wood
ford and Mr.. Tenney and OF two Marsha,s This
unprecedented proceeding, whether permissible by
law or not, was gravely significant Tho President
had nominated these officers after they had been
weighed ia the balance. Their official records were
before him, end had been fully scrutinized aud at-
proved. Unjust DO presumed that he thought the
nominations fit tn be made, and that it his du ty
to make them. There Ia 20 allegation that he die
covered any unftncss in them afterward. IL could
hardly be that he had discovered unhtness in all Of
them alike. What then, the meaning and purpose
OF this perempt ~ step. II was immediately stated,