Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1881-05-20
pOLITTCAL BOMBsHELLs.

sensation throughout the Union. BY ten
dering their designations as Senators they
left the greatest State Of the Union wholly
unrepresented in the Senate of the United
States, which is now in session in Washing
ton. From the time the government was
established until the outbreak of the late
civil war there has not been any time when
any State of the American Union was un-
represented in the Senate upto Monday last
From this statement stranger who is not
familiar with our political and public con-
Germs would be disposed to come to the con-
clusion that some great emergency had arisen
or was impending, and that in order to meet
it the people Of the great State of New
York had taken the initiative through the
resignation of their representatives in the
highest branch of Congress. The fact is,
there is no emergency and no question OF
public concern before the country in which
the people, apart from the politicians, take
an interest any greater than is frequently
excited by race between some celebrated
horses
Messrs. Conkling and Plat have gratifed,
to some extent, the public curiosity excited
by their extraordinary conduct, in letter
addressed to the Governor Of their State, &C.
companying the formal notice of their res
ignation. The letter may be summed up as
follows: The President has made nomina-
nations for number of offices of more or
less importance; among the nominations he
thought fit to bestow the office Of Collector
of the port of New York on citizen of that
State who had secured his favor, but who
is wholly unsatisfactory to the two New
York Senators. This is objected TO on va
rious grounds. The Senators had no reason
for believing that the nominations would be
made, for they were arrogant enough TO sup
pose that they would be consulted in rela-
ton to the entire distribution of the patron
age in that State. They protested against
this nomination, and weight was added to
their dissent by its being shared in by the
cabinet minister from that State and by the
Vice-President of the United States, who,
while he is the second officer under the gov
eminent, is still mindful of the fact that he
received his chief distinction as an execu-
tive manager of what goes by the name of
the "machine" in the State from which be
was elected. Despite this protest the Presi-
dent has adhered to his determination, and
we admire his firmness 1t savors of that
Jacksonian resolution which made the "old
lion of the Hermitage so conspicuous when
personal ambition threatened the disruption
of great national organization and the dis
indignation of the general government.
The two Senators commended that Mr..
Robertson's nomination for Collector is not
demanded in the public interest, and they
argue at great length to show that the posi-
ton is designed as a reward" for certain
personal services rendered by Mr. Robert
son TO the Executive, and in order to rem
der these services Mr.. Robertson was guilty
of breach of party discipline, and lett him
self open to charge of personal dishonor
These charges are explicitly stated by the
two distinguished Senators, as follows;
"Mr Robertson and sixty nine other men
accepted from State Convention certain
trust. They sought and accepted the posi-
ton of agents or delegates to the National
Convention. The State Convention declar-
cd plainly stated judgment and policy to
be observed and supported by those it CON-
missioned. To this declaration all selected
as delegates gave implied consent But sew
eral of them, in addition, made most specific
personal pledges and engagements TO exert
themselves in good faith throughout TO Sc
cure the nomination of General Grant. They
made this pledge as the means of obtaining
their appointment as delegates, and they
did, as we both personally know, obtain
their seats in the National Convention upon
the faith of their personal statements of their
earnestness and fidelity. The obligation
thus assumed we understood to involve
integrity as much as the obligation of one
who receives the proxy of a stakeholder in
"A corporation upon the pledge and promise
TO vote as his principal would VOTE
Whether Mr.. Robertson was or was not
himself bound not only by honor and
implication, but by expressly giving his
word, becomes quite immaterial in view
of the claim made for him. 1t is insisted
that he organized the bolt" or, as it has
been sometimes stated, che was the leader
of the bolt" That is to say that he invited,
persuaded, induced others whom he knew
had given their word and had obtained
their seats by doing SO, TO violate their
word and betray not only the Republicans
assembled in State Convention, but the Re
pubicans of their districts as we'll who had
trusted in their honor Whoever counsels
and prOcures another 10 do "A dishonest or
dishonorable act must share with that other
the guilt, and should share, also, the odum
justly attaching 10 it, We are, therefore,
wholly unable, upon whatever ground we
put ii, 10 see justification Tor ourselves,
should We become parties To using the pub.
lie trusts which belong TO the people TO re-
quite such service in such modes"
II there be any man in this country who
is precluded from Directing TO the disposal
of the patronage of. the public service as
reward for political conduct, we would say,
that man is Senator Conkling of the State
OF New York. How far Mr.. Robertson
has violated his personal obligations as
man, and how far the discredit involved
in his bad faith went TO show that he is not
man TO be trusted with the duties Of
public Office are questions which the SEN
ators from New York had full opportunity
of presenting before the only body which is
competent 10 pass upon them and to give
effect to its decision-namely, the Senate of
the United States. The argument embodied
in the letter ought to have been made be.
fore the Senate, which is presented in the
letter to the Governor, and had the Senate
disregarded it, then would be the time for
the two Senators TO consider the question
Of resigning from the body of which they
were members, if at all. AS it is, Senator
Conkling is in the position of a counsel who
has abandoned his case before he has sub.
mitted it TO the jury. 1t is not uncommon
for village and rural lawyers to re.argue at
the tayerns the law which the Judge has
decided against them. Mr. Conkling has
apparently appealed to the judges at the
tavern before the court has passed upon his
case as he presents il.
The merits of the dispute between the two
Senators and the Executive and official head