The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-05-07
THE COUP D'ETAT.
Various Opinions from Various
Sources.
NO PERSONAL CONTEST WITH MR..
CONKLING SOUGHT.
Good Prospect of Judge Robertson's
Confirmation.

NEW YORK. May 6.-Washington specials
say the message of the President withdrawing
all the New York nominations but Judge Rob
ertson came like q thunderbolt from a clear
sky. But few Senators had any intimation that
such a thing was contemplated. The Vice
President and Senator Platt called upon the
President in the morning and held confer
ence with him on the subject of the New York
nominations The urged him. in the interest
OF Republican harmony, to withdraw all those
nominations. including that of Judge Robert
son. The President did not take kindly to this
proposition and suggested that it might be a
good plan to withdraw all the nominations
cept that of Judge Robertson, which could
Robertson fail to be confirmed, the whole slate
would be clear and new nominations could be
made. This suggestion, it is understood, was
received with unpleasant surprise by the Vice
President and Senator Patt, who felt more in
cllned to regard 1t as hostile proposition than
as an offer of compromise. The conference
ended without any definite understanding
any direct expression by the President of his
intention to withdraw all the nominations eX-
cept that of Judge Robertson; and the ENJOYS
proceeded to the Capitol. rather disappointed
with the result of their nilsson.
When the message reached the Senate that
body was in executive session, engaged in the
discussion of one of the treaties with China.
Senator Conklina was occupied with the pc
rusal OF a letter when the message was read by
the clerk, and it is said that the New York
Senator apparently paid 10 heed to the read
ing OF the short communication, which meant
50 much to him. Significant smiles were ex-
changed among Democratic Senators; cad
ministration Senators" appeared contented,
and Mr.. Conkllngs supporters looked gloomy.
The Tribune's correspondent says that as to
the motives which led to the adop-
ton OF the course taken by the President
there is no reason to doubt that the ac-
ton Of the last Republican caucus made it
plain to him. as it did to all other observers,
that Senator Conklin2s entire influence was
being exerted to bring about an adjournment
OF the Senate after having secured the conhr-
nation OF all nominations made in his own in
terest, but aeaving that of Judge Robertson
tied up in the committee on commerce until
next fall. There was an understanding, to be
sure, that the Republican Senators should
have another caucus over the CONTESTED nom
nations" bat the advantages were manifesty
upon Senator Conking's side, and the exhibit
tlIon OF his power in the caucus and the Senate
have been too recent and too significant to
leave much doubt of the result, should all the
nominations except shat of Judge Robertson
be contirmed-a result which promised to be
speedily reached. II this programme had
been carried out, the situation, so far as the
administration was concerned, would have
been the most undesirable which its enemies
could have planned. ''The President" it
would have been said "yentured to assert
himself in defiance of Mr.. Conkling's will, and
has failed to carry his point in any respect"
When the purpose of Senator Conkling be-
came manifest by the action of the caucus in
defining contested nominations the President
determined to take steps to protect his admin
istration from dscredit From the outset he
has been determined to give conspicuous recog-
milton to that element of the Republican party
in New York, of which Judge Robertson is
the foremost representative. Having given
ample assurance, by first nominating several
Conking men to important positions, that he
bore no ill-will to the Senator, he named
Judge Robertson as the fttest and most con-
spicuous recognition of the Independent Re-
publicans He withdraws the nominations OF
Mr. Conkling's friends, not-as was asserted by
Mr. Conkling and his supporters last night
as an act of offence against that SENATOR but
simply so that, in case of the rejection of Mr.
Robertson or the failure of the Senate to take
any action whatever, he may have the other
important vacancies in the State of New
York, with which to sgive needed recognition
to the element which made his own nomina-
ton and election possible.