New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-05-07

VICE-PKkslDENI'
fBY TELEGRAPH To THB 1RlbuNhj
W .o,,,>,crov Nav 6-There appears TO be no
oha,orent of interest in the political SITUATION -
dauolonod nv the withdrawal Of the New-toIK
nominations yesterday. The prompt arIl'"i ~
Washington of General Woodford and MARSHAL
Pawn has added another feature OF interest lloie
nernexinp than pleasing it is said, to the New-fork
Senator'S Wherever politicians have been togelher
in Washington to-day The action of the IresIueh'
and sDeoulaons as TO what will be his future course
nc well as that Of Senator Conking, have been the
exclusive topics discussed.
The general tone of comment has been more quiet
than il was last evening, the first feeling of surprise
ON being reminded that General Garfield is actually
President Of the United States having gradually
worn off II was generally conceded among Senators
this forenoon that il was idle to expect that the
President would reverse his action or withdraw the
noninatlon of Judge Robertson. No donbt there
was at first a somewhat general hope among kcpub-
Gcan Senators that the latter cOurse might he pur
sued. in the interest of harmony While they
might stll lie glad if this could be done. there Is by
no means feeling of discomfort because the Pres-
dent adheres to the position he publicly assumed
yesterday.
Some Republican Senators say, however, that the
President appears to have given different inter
pretation TO the caucus rule from that which
to a TRIBUNE correspondent today Re
publican Senator incidentally revealed bit of the
secret proceedings of the last In substance
he said Before that rule was adopted in the eau
ems IL was freely discussed and il would never have
been adopted as binding Law had there not been
fair and full understanding that II was 10 be so con-
strued as 10 permit fair consideration at this
session of all the nominations and vote upon every
one of them remember that ono Senator said. in
terms that he for one would not be bound by rule
that should be construed TO prevent fair and re-
spectful consideration Of every nomination at
this session; and / sure he voiced
the sentiments of large majority of the eau
GUS 1t was therefore, agreed that the rule should
become imperative the list OF nomna-
tions had been gone over once, and that
Republican caucus should then Immediately be
convened to take into consideration the subject of
nominations which had been laid over under Ohjcc-
ton. II was also provided that in case of failure
10 call that caucus of the failure Of quorum To
attend it, every Senator should be free 10 vote he
pleased and to be released from every caucus obi
CATION"
No doubt all this ia perfectly true and yet II does
not quite explain why the unprecedented caucus
rule was adopted. The Senate has rules for the con-
duct of executive business and they have hitherto
beer found sufficient Morsver il was the expressed
friends. ~ have action upoh Judge Robertson's
nomination postponed Until next December; and he
was an advocate of the caucus rule means to
secure that end. He, at least, evidently placed
upon the rule the Interpretation that Presl-
dent Garfield did.
There Is not the slightest reason tn doubt that the
course of great majority of the Republican Sen
atnrs Throughout this unfortunate controversy has
been inspired by earnest desire 10 bring about
harmonious settlement; and any errors into which
they may have fallen were errors Of judgment only
Those Senators willing to 60 great way in
Difference to Mr.. ConkliDgs views, but they were
not willing to allow him to prevent any action upon
Judge ROtertson's nomination at this session. The
question 10 the relative order Ia which the sew
eral New-York nominations should be considered
they do not appear TO have regarded Of sufficient
Importance 10 base contest upon with Senators
Conkling and Platt. In fact, this was the pOLt
where Senatorial courtesy" came III
Senator, who was Of the number which called
upon the President last evening thus describes the
interview: The President listened TO us and then
made the speech which he had made TO several Of
usbefore He from his chair, walked about the
room, became very earnest, gave emphasis TO his
speech by striking the table, and insisted with
phasls that he had not sOdght quarrel with Conk-
ling, and did not now seek 1t. He smply wished
his Administration TO be treated at least with
respect He said that in his opinion, Conkling
had planned 70 act upon the nominations Of his own
friends and then 70 force final adjournment leav-
Ing the nomination of Robertson in his own COM
mittee 70 smother until December, The decision of
tho Republican Caucus Committee had given Conk-
ing tins power. he said Such an action the Presi-
dent claimed, would not be just to him and he had
determined 20 all of his efforts 70 secure some
action on Robertson's case. He did not intend this
az an ahront TO Mr.. Conklng, and he desired har
mony much as anybody conld desire IT, but this
step was necessary means ~ secure justice to
the Administration"
There is no indication that Senator ConlIing has
yielded cay degree his determination 20 exhaust
every possible resource to prevent Judge Robertson
from becoming Collector Of the Port Of New-York.
For weeks be has been laborng with grsat assiduity
among Democratio Senators TO enlist their support.
kmong other circumstances that have attracted at
tention has been the part played by the Vice-Pres
dent. It has been noticed during the last two or
three weeks that he has quite frequently
vacated the chair, and has usually, although not
Invariably, invited Democratic Senator to preside
Eifhsr Mr.. Harris. Mr. CoekIell or Mr.. Voorhees,
ms been called upon on such occasions and Curl
oasly enough, these three Democratic Senators are
among those claimed as recent recrOits 10 the anti
Robertson ranks A Democrat remarked to-day that
M oid not believe Senator Harris would rise TO
that baitz
ihhre are indications, however, that the opposi
Won 70 Judge Robertson is weaker than il was o
week ago, and there is every probability that he
Nlu BE promptly confirmed whenever the case comes
sapo and not by a majority COM
ssssa at Denocrshe votes either. 1t 10 said