The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-03-30
RobertsOn's Nomination.

The nomination of Judge VIM. Fl. Rob-
ertson to be Collector of Customs for the
port Of New York, created q genuine sensa-
ton at the Capitol and was a popular
topic of comment throughout Washington
political circles. When Vice President Ar
thur opened the list of nominations IN the
Senate and observed Robertson's name, he
rapidly folded the paper so as to leave it up
permost and sent the list by a page to Sena-
tor Conkling, who thereupon, with an air of
indignant astonishment, walked briskly to
the seat of Senator Plat, and the two New
York senators held a whispered conference.
Their amazement and displeasure was equal
ly manifest, and is READILY explainable BY
the fact, known to almost every one in the
| chamber, that Judge Robertson is the leader
of the authorizing party in the New York
Legislature. and therefore about as objection
able a man to Conkling and his friends as
any that could possibly have been selected
for this most important New York office.
The nomination was the more surprising in
view of the complete Difference that had been
accorded to Conkling's wishes in the nomina-
atoms for other New York offices although
it is conceded that some recognition was due
from President Garfield to the independent
New York Republicans like Robertson, who
refused to vote for General Grant at Chicago
and thus made the nomination of General
Garfield finally possible. It is also thought
hat in selecting 8 pronounced enemy of
Conkling for the New York Collectorship,
the new Administration has invited q stub
born conflict, which might as well have been
avoided.
The Times says: Robertson has distin-
guished himself as an ardent friend and ad-
vocate of Blaine during the long struggles
which that gentleman has made for the pres
idential nomination. His nomination to the /
New York Custom House, with so large q
force Of employees, will certainly give cour-
age to those who think that an adroit and en-
ergetic use of Federal patronage will 60 far
toward determining the presidential nomina-
ton and election, and would like to see
Blaine the successor of Garfield.
The Tribune is overjoyed at the nomina-
ton, and says the State of New York is big
enough for one Republican party but not for
two. Garfield evidently believed this and
means that his administration shall pre-
scribe no faithful Republican wing, but shall
tend to bring all into close and more harmo-
NOUS relations. It will not be wise for any
one having the Republican interest at heart
to take issue with him on that policy.
On motion of Jacobs, Democrat, the SEN
ate at Albany unanimously passed the fol-
lowing resolution:
Res0zved, That the thanks Of this Senate are
rendered to President Garfield for the nomin-
alton Of Senator Robertson as Collector of
the port of New York, and we cordially join
in q request to the Senate of the United
States that they promptly confirm the nom-
nation.
The difficulties between Conkling and Rob-
ertson are personal as well as political and
of a kind not to be %reconciled by any consid-
Grafton of party expediency. They do not
even speak to each other. One thing is GER
tain, if the President does not beat q retreat
from the nomination there vii! be serious
trouble in the Republican camp. 1t will not
be long coming.