St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-05-20
COnkIiIlS'S --latest.

The latest move ON the political
chess board at Washington is the with
drawal of the would-be knights, of the
Empire State, from the Senate side of
the game. On Monday the Nicc-prcsi-
dent announced to the surprised Sen
ate the resignation of Mcssrs. Conlling
and Platt as Senators of New York.
The designations of these aggricvcd
gentlemen were sent to Albany by
special messenger on Sunday night and
reached Governor Cornell on Monday
afternoon.
Accompanying the designations was
a lengthy letter setting forth the rca-
SONS for the act. The letter rehearscs
first the action of the President in
nominating persons for places already
filled, especially including prominent
officers in New York the nomination
of Judge Robertson and the protest
against it signed by MesSrs. Arthur,
Platt, James and Conkling; the alleged
expressions of public opinion in favor
of Mcrritt's retention the withdrawal
of the New York nominations by the
President discusses the removal of
Merritt and the fitness of Robertson
for the position and closes by saying,
in regard to Senator's responsibility ::
A Senator has his own responsible
I / Il
body of which he is Il member; he is
bound by his oath to ''advisc and con
sent on his conscience and Judgment
before God. Whatever or whoever else
may constrain him, he is to he exempt
from Executive menace or disfavOr on
the one hand and Executive induce
mcnt on the other. Long standing on
the orders of the House of Commons
has been a declaration that member
shall suffer expulsion who even reports
the wishes of the Executive head of the
Government to influence the votes of
members. The British Constitution is
not more Jealous than ours in this re-
gard. TO give advice, and honest, in
dependent advice, as to an appoint
ment proposed is as much the right and
duty of Il Senator as it is the right or
duty of President to propose the
name. Be his advice one way
or the sother, it is no more an
act of disrespect and treason to the
nominating power than the verdict of
Il juror or the decision of a Judge. The
idea that the Senate is simply to find
out what is wanted and then do it we
cannot believe safe or admissible, and
. l.. L 4 1 1
ed to set up such a test of party fideli-
ty or allegiance. In this instance such
prominence has been given to the sub
jet and such distrust has been ex-
pressed of the correctness of our posi-
ton, that we think it right and dutiful
To submit the matter to the power to
which alone we are bound and ever
ready to bow.
Now all thiS-with an additional
sentence or two as to being willing to
''make room for whoSoever NAV correct
all errors we have made and interpret
Alright all duties we misconceivedr-is
very touching and pathetic at first
thought; but when it is remembered
that ConRling owns the New York
Legislature and feels comparatively
sure of their action in the premises,
this appeal loses its pathos and be
comes thin enough to see through. No
body will be taken in by it.
This last mancuvcr is not that of a
statesman who seeks To maintain the
dignity of his position, but rather that
of a boy who refuses to play because
he cannot have his own way. 1t is our
candid opinion that Mr.. Conkling has
league, and laid himself open to just
condemnation. And the condemnation
has been bestowed very promptly by
press and people all over the country,