National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-05-18
THAT APPOINTMENT.
CoNKLING, GARFIELD, ROBERTSON.
Comments of the Press on the Action of the Pres
ident-A Division of the Republican Party
the COnsequence-PeopIe Disguised
with the Controversy.

The people resent anything that looks
| like presidential dictation. The New York offices
don't belong to Conkling; but no more do
they belong to Garfield, to be used as weapons in
4 war upon Conkling The nomination of men as
United States district attorneys and marshals and
the subsequent withdrawal of their names purely
as means of coercing the confirmation of col
lector, constitute as offensive an exhibition of
purely machine politics as has been seen for many
a Gay. 1t Is the more offensive because Garfield
Is man who understands the principles upon
which the civil service ought to be conducted, and
who therefore sins against light. He might have
made fight for reform which would have rallied
the country to his support; instead, he has man.
aged within two months after his Inauguration to
become involved in a squabble over the spoils,
which has touched so low plane that honest
people are disguised with both SIDES to the con-
troyersy.-VilCdukee Sentinel CRepl
CAN ROBERTSON DO IT?
There is much rejoicing in certain quarters be-
cause it is said that Mr. Conkling will be defeated
if he opposes the President and that Robertson
viii be confirmed. Very likely; but what then?
Where is the victory that is worth shouting over?
MI. Robertson will be collector of the port of New
York, but viii that compensate for heart burnings
and divisions i'll the Republican party? Can Rob-
ertSOn carry New York for General Garfield? We
want to hear who Robertson is, and what he has
periling Republican success. 1t will be strange
indeed if Conkling can prevent this confirmation
for executive patronage is an almost irresistible
power; but what comes after? Is the confirma-
ton Of the collector for the port of New York and
the consequent defeat of Conkling the end and
object of the Republican party? Is it through
when these ends are gained? Unfortunately
there are other battles to fight and other vic
tories to win, and TO be successful the party must
hn tod Ia, ~.
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE.
fit be possible to restore harmony to the Re-
publican party in New York after the severe strain
TO which 1t has been subjected by the Presidents
unWISe action, Ii can only be done by frank ad-
mission OF past errors the withdrawal of Mr. Rob-
crtsons nomination. and full and frank confer
ence between the leading Republicans of the State
as to the most equitable and eXpedient division of
the offices, with view to the good of the public
service and the union of the Republican party In
such a division the collectors office ought to be
left out of the list aud suffered to remain in Col
lector Merritts hands until his term expires |
Should this wise policy prevail when the time ar
rived for the nomination of Mr.. Merritts successor
there would be rivalry between factions for pos
session Of the Oice-NelV York ConmercidI- 4drer-
tiscr (Rep.)
HE CAN EIDE HIS TINE.
But Mr.. COnkling does not bounce about and |
rave and tear his hair Il is a milder entertain
ment than the Blaine Phelps Reid combination |
had put up, and they are prOporionately exer- !
cISed. Nothing could be more pleasing to them |
than an explosion Of AchiIlean wrath from the |
Senator at this particular juncture But if Mr. !
Conkling can be mad" Gil OCCASION he has also !
the might OF control, and he can bide his time
He will be heard from in due season. No man in |
the front to-day comprehends the opportunity" !
better than he does. He always strikes at the |
md toll
political jobbers will get more than they bar
gained for before this drama is played to the end
Brooklyn Union argus (Rep)
GARFIELDS POSITION NOT STRONG
As regards the Robertson nomination the Senate !
has been in a curiously uncertain state through |
out. 1t cannot be said that in making that nomi- |
nation President Garfield took u strong position
In fact he deliberately threw over all the princi
pies of civil-service reform in removing Collector
Merritt That official was not accused of any mai
teasance On the contrary, the President showed
that he had the utmost confidence in him by sub
Sequently offering him an important foreign mis-
sion. But 20 remove an official in the middle OF
his term without cause is plainly the most uncom-
promising return to ultra machine poiticS.-Sacra-
aaclt0 Record Union (L5darOad IRdD
IT MAY Be
If Judge RObertSons appointment is a big |
enough issue to serve as the Aaron's rod OF the
other rods OF which il affected to think so much in
the late national campaign, then the people who
have been saying for some time past that twenty
years of undisurbed power incapacitates any party
for good government Will be justified. A party
that deliberately divides its own house and in its
various factions chershes mutual antipathies
stronger than the joint antagonism of the common
enemy is Self-devoted TO death. 1t may be that
the course of history is to run that way-BoSton
Trare'Ler (Rcp)
HOPE He NEVER SAID IT.
The sentiment attributed to &ir. Garfield by the
Associated Press, that those who act against him
in his fight with COnkling will need letters of in
PRODUCTION to him hereafter. is unworthy of a man
III his position. 1t is threat to use the patronage
OF his office against every man who does not sub
nit to his will We hope he never said ANYTHING
OF the klnd.-N. Louis Globe Democrat (hep)
THE KIND OF A MAN CoNKLING IS
The Republican party of the West cannot be in
duced to Join i'll any scheme which has for its OBJ
jCct the ultimate defeat and retirement of Roscoe
Cunkling. He is the man of whom the party and
the people are most proud. He has never dis
graced himself or his party by any public act. Let
this be borne in mind, and ask if the same can be
said Of his perSecutOrs.-G Globe Democrat (I2eD)
UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT.