New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-05-12
FUTJIEFXPEDJKNTS.
water pan

For two days certain Senators WHO are
friendly to the present Administration have
been in state OF agitation and uncertainty
which is not agreeable To contemplate. The
Senate have been asked by the President i'll
an entirely proper and constitutional manner
to give him their opinion "a tn the propnety
and expcdiency of making Judge Robertson
Collector Of the Port of NewYOrk IL the
Senate agree with the President that he
is a fit person for that office, the work
is done; he will be commissioned and
installed in his place. II the Senate
do not agree with the President in that opinion.
it is their right and duty to say 40, and the
President can then make some other selection.
Now, as a matter of fact it is perfectly well
known that large majority Of the Senatore
DO agree with President Garfield Us to the
fitness of Judge Robertson for the place To
which he has been nominated. They believe
him honest intelligent energetic; perfectly
competent To fill the Office with credit 10 him
self and his party and advantage to thc Gov
eminent. But there is one Senator, and only
one, who holds different opinion or perhaps
it would I've more correct TO say that he, sharing
this opinion, still thinks it would bc per
sonal injury to himself to have Mr. Robertson
confirmed, and, therefore, intends 10 vote
against him.
If the President could induce tic Senate to
meet him on the ground marked out 10y the
Constitution, and to answer the question which
he has asked, and which it is their plain duty
to answer, the vote on the confirmation OF
Judge Robertson would be precisely what We
have indicated above--the whole Senate, less
ono. in the affirmative and Mr.. CODklng III
the negative. But such simple and straight
forward solutions are rarely possible in our
political system. To Mr.. Conkling are joined,
first. his colleague. Senator Plat, who in
the opinion of his best friends is max
ing serious mistake in choosing, against
his own convictions, to follow the lead
Of his imperious senior secondly, few DEM
ocrats who think it good party tactics TO dc
feat Republican Administration at its outset,
no matter what the issue is; and thirdly,
few Republicans who fear Mr.. Conkling's angry
tongue and bitter rcsentments more than they
care for the welfare of the public service, and
q few others who have taken on the servie
habit Of doing his bidding years ago and cam
not now free themselves from it. Together
they make a minority OF such influence, that
to override their opposition by prompt con-
firmation of MIR. Robertson, would require,
under any circumstances, some resolution and
energy.
The minority is aided by two circumstances
which render the work of the majority more
difficult. Mr.. Conkling il himself the Chair
man of the Committee Of Commerce, and Of
course has the power--of which he is not too
delicate to avail himself-of keeping the nom
ination in his pocket, unless his Committee re-
volt against him or the Senate take the mat
ter out of his control. And again, under hasty
or ins:dious counscls, tho Senate tied them
selves ND at the beginning by caucus rule
which makes it excessively inconvenient for
the majority to execute its will in the matter
of nominations, provided--as in this Casa
Senator objects. The situation Is thus not
free from embarrassments and no one pretends
that it ia. 1t calls for energetic, intelligent
and courageous handling. This it is hardly
receiving All day yesterday and tho day be-
fore, Senators who recognize the utterly IN
justifable character of the claim Mr.. COnkling
il setting up, were going about, In caucus aud
ont Of it. TO devise some impossible means OF
placating him. They seem to have fallen into
q species Of dcvil-worship, which to certain
class Of minds Is more natural and easy than
religion. Because the President Is patriotic
and reasonable, because the great bulk of
the Republican party viii stand by its
c0lors undar whatever urovooation. there-