National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-05-17
What Led To LII >

In view of the resignation of the New
York Senators brief history of the causes
which have led to so decisive an act
will not be uninteresting. On the twen-
tieth dav of President Garfeid's term he
sent to the Senate the nomination of
William II. Robertson to be collector of
the port of New York. Had this been
even ostensibly done with regard to the
public service it would not have de-
served criticism or required eXplana-
ton. Ihe Senators from the State
of New York would have been heard by
their fellOw-SenatOrS as to the general
character and fitness of the nominee, and
ifthey had opposed the confirmation the
vote Of the Senate would have quietly de-
cided the matter, without irritation and
ing to disparage either the Executive or
the opposing Senators. Unfortunately
neither the Senate nor the country could
escape the knowledge that the nOmina-
ton was based on unworthy grounds, and
that no consideration of public duty had
part or lot in it.
The friends of the President (if friends
they can be called) and of Mr. Robertson
made loud proclamation that the nomina-
ton was political blow, aimed at leader
of prominence in the party. Mr.. Robert
son himself declared on the day of his
nomination that he understood it to be a
reward y for political service rendered
by him to the President at the Chicago
Convention. This service had consisted
in so ingratiating himselfwith the friends
of General Grant, who had control of the
State convention in New York, that they
were willing to trust him as an agent
in the National Convention to carry out
their rearnestly-expressed desire to nomi-
nate that gentleman for the Presidency,
and then to not only desert, but to lead
as large a number as possible of pledged
delegates to violate their pledges. He
performed the service boldly, even allow
ing himself to be transferred on the books
of the company from Blaine to Garfield.
Not only have we Robertson's testimony
to the low motive which inspired his
nomination to an Office of such great
trust and importance, but the ready
and sycophantic journals through which
the President notoriously communicates
his views and wishes to the public
made haste to declare that the nOmina-
ton had been made with reference to the
convention debts assumed by the Presi-
dent when he became the assignee in
bankruptcy of the political estate of an
other and a less fortunate aspirant. The
criticisms Of this paper upon the nomina-
tion of Robertson drew from Mr. E. v
Smalley, of the New York Tribune, the
bold intimation that it was made in fur
therance Of General Garfield's desire for
a second term, and his unwillingness
to trust in any place of political influence
(or political agency" as he termed it,
any one of the 500, meaning the friends
of General Grant. This being criticised
and an explanation asked, Mr. Smalley,
who was known to be most intimate at
the White House, reiterated it, and de-
ciared it to be the Presidents harmon
izing plan"
The President had On the day before the
of Robertson nominated two
marshals, two district attorneys, and
for an unimportant district with
out any request by Senator Conkling. Be-
fore the news of their nomination had
reached the New York public, pretense
was made within the sacred circle which
the President that these NOM
nations had so exasperated th3 people
who had not heard Of them that some
heroic remedy must be at one applied to
the wound. "You will be satisfied when
all the appointments are made" said
the President; Il am going to nominate
Robertson to the collectorship," and he
did. The Vice-President and the Post
master-General joined the two Senators
in request that the nomination of Rob-
ertson be withdrawn on the ground that
it was made in violation of a positive I'M
ierstanding between the President and
themselves In the hope that the Presi-
dent, thus reminded, would reconsider his
action, the Senators waited, and uttered
40 word of complaint. This attitude
-ney maintained for weeks, hoping for
harmonious results. Meanwhile, the
organs Of the President have without
reported him as threaten
ng the power of his Office against any
Senator who should refuse to advise and
;onSent to the appointment of Robert
son. They have falsely held the New Yosk ]