The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-05-26

were sent no disclosure OF MS lntenLlOn 10
send them had been made to him, and that the
first he knew of the matter was by hearsay.
Following this event, after earnest reflection
and consultation, we believed the pr oceeding
unwise and wrong, whether considered wholly
in relation to the preservation and integrity of
the public service and public example
to be set, or in relation also to the
integrity Of the Republican party. No public
utterance of comment or censure was made by
either of us in the Senate or elsewhere. On
the contrary, we thought that the President
would reconsider the action SO sudden and
hasty, and would at least adopt a less hurtful
and obiectiona bic mode of requesting personal
1rindividual service. In this hope the follow
ing paper was prepared and signed and pre-
scented by Mr.. James to the President, who
was subsequently informed that you had au-
thorized your name to be added also.
To the President:
We beg leave to demonstrate against the change in
tie collectorship Ut New York by the removal Of
Mr.. Merritt and appointment Of Mr.. Robertson. The
W.; wholly We hear; ard Of i only
announced in the Senate. We had only two days be-
fore this been informed from you that change in
the custom ofces ct New York was not contemplated
and quite ignorant Of the purpose to take any seton
now, we had no opportunity until after the nomina-
ton to make the suggestion We now present. We do
not believe that the interests Of the public service
and quitting Mr.. Robertson 10 his sts ad. Our opn-
ion is quite the reverse and we believe political
advantage can be- gained for either the hepuolica1
has claim or obligation which should be hqutated
In such q mode, We earnestly and respectfully ask
that The nomination Of Mr. Robertson be Withdrawn.
(signed) .a.. .a CHESTER A. ARrHU1,
.... c. PLATT,
THos. L. JAMES,
ROSCOE CoNKL1No.
This paper was presented to the President
by Mr.. James Monday, the 25th day of March.
haf rar
of the twenty of the Presidents of the repub-
lie, and markedly the present incumbent, had
withdrawn nominations on less serious repre-
sensations, we did not apprehend that such a
suggestion would be treated as an intrusion
or invasion OF any prerogative of
the nominating power. We were
disappointed. Immediately the public
written by those in close and constant associa
ton with the President and with influential
members Of his cabinet, teemed with violent
denunciatlons of Senators from New York for
opposing the administration and debating
to the President.
Persons who visited the executive mansion
reported the President as resentful and i'm
patient of dictation, to what he proposed. We
had made no assault upon anybody: We have
resentatlves of the President, or make COM
plant or comment, or even denial, of many
truthless charges published against us by Off
ciOus champions of the administration. In
deed, beyond confidential consultation with
brother Senators and officials, we have said
nothing till now on the subject, nor have we,
or either of us, promoted the deadlock IN the
Senate in order to prevent or influence action
on any nomination, nor have we ever so
stated.
Immediately the nominations were pub
lished, letters and kilograms in great numbers
came from every part of the State, from Its
leading citizens, protesting against the pro-
posed changes, and condemning them on
many grounds. Several thousands of leading
we are Informed, majority Of every branch
Sixty Of the eighty-one of the
Republican members of the Assembly, by
letter or memorial made objection. Republic
cans in Congress-, State officials, business men,
professional men, com mercial, industrial and
political organizations, are among the remon-
strants, and they speak from every section of
the State.
Besides the nominations already referred to,
there were awaiting action Of the Senate sew
eral citizens of New York, nominated for Of
fees connected with the courts, district at
torneys and marshals. These were all reap
pointments. The most of them had
been originally commissioned by Mr.,
nd ges of the court, and many other eminent
persons who attested their faithfulness and
merit, and recommend their continuance.
They were not presented by us. We have not
attempted to dictate, nor have we asked the
nomination OF one person to any office in the
State. Indeed, with9 the exception of
the written request set forth
above, we have never even expressed an opin-
ion to the President in any case, unless ques-
toned in regard to it.
Some days ago the President abruptly with
drew, in one and the same act, the names of
Gen. Woodford, Mr.. Tenny, and of two mar
shalls. This unprecedented proceeding,
whether permissible by law or not, was
gravely significant. The President has nomi-
mated these officers after they had been
weighed in the balance. Their official records
were before him and had been scrutinized and
approved. It must be presumed he thought
the nominations fit to be made and that
it was his duty to make them. There is no
allegation that he discovered any unftness in
them afterwards. It could hardly be that he
had discovered unfitness in all of them alike.
What then was the meaning and purpose of
this Peremptory step? It was Immediately
stated, as If by authority, and seems to be ad-
mittee, that the purpose was to coerce the Sen
ators to vote as they would not vote if left
free from executive interference. The design
was to control the action of the Senator's
IouCuluE "dCteT6 committed ny Cne CONSTITUTE
ton to the Senate and the Senate exclusively.
1t has been suggested in addition that by re-
calling these nominations ara holding them
in his own hands, the Prudent might in the
event of failure of another nomination use
them to compensate that failure.
fit can be supposed that all these public
trusts are to be,or would in any event be made
personal perquisites to be handled and
disposed of, not only to punish
the independence of Senatorial votes and &C
ton, but to liquidate the personal obligations
OF any individual however high in station,
the conditions are utterly vicious and de-
grading, and their acceptance would compel
representatives OF the States to fling down
their oath and representative duty at the foot
stool of executive power. Following this
sweeping and startling executive act
came ominous avowa]s that dissent or future
"adverse CONSENT would be held an act of Of
Tense, exposing all Senator's, from whatever
State, to executive disp]easure.
Thus we find ourselves confronted by the
question whether we shall surrender the plain
right and duty Of Senator's, by consentpg to
what we believe to be vicious and hurtful, or
be assigned a position of disloyalty to the ad-
ministration which we helped to make ,and the
success of which we earnestly wished.
For every reason and motive which can
enter into the case, we know no theory
advanced by any party which requires such
submission as was exacted.
Although party service may be fairly con-
sldered in making selections Of public officers,
it can hardly be maintained that the Senate is
hound To remoya without cansa ptc