The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1881-05-20
CONKLING AND PLATT.
tOrs-Statemena OF the Reasons THAT
EmpclIesi 4 fieiii 20 Ssscis q Courses

OOAAAAA%tO AAO AaG Aa
Resignation of the NeEy York Sena-
eOrs-Statement OF the Reasons That
HmpcIIesi heiii TO Ssscis q Courses
The controversy between the President aid
Senator Conkling over the nomination of Judge
Robertson to be Collector of the port Of New
York eliminated, on the 10th INST, in the resig-
nation, by Senators Conkling and Plat, OF their
seats in the United States Senate. The action
of the New York Senators In rendering their
designations, it is needless to say, created d
profahnd sensation at the national capital; and
was sharp surprise t6 the country 1t large
Messrs. Conkling and Platt addressed the fol-
lowing letter to the Governor of New York,
defining their position, and explaining their
reasons for resigning:
WASHINGTON, May IA, 1881.
To His Excellency A. B. Cornell Governor
Sin: Transmitting; as we 80, our tesi9hatians; YA.
specveiy, OF the great trusts with which New Fork
has hdnored US, it is fit that acquaint you, and
through You the Legislature and the people of the
State. with the reasons which, in judgment, make
such step respectful and necessary. Some weeks
ago the President of the United States sent to the
Senate in group the nomination of several persons
for public Offices already filed One of these ofces
is tie Colleetorsllip Of the Poft OF New York
now held by Gen. Merritt another is the Con
sui Geaeralship at London, now held by Gen.
Badeau; another is the Charge d. Afaires
at Denmark, held by Mr.. Cramer; another
is the mission to Switzerland held by Mr. Fish, the
con q the former distinguished Secretary of State
Mr.. Fish had, iii defeFenG5 to aH anS Snt pfsrtees
placed his position at the disposal Of the new admin
istration, but like other persons named, was ready
TO remain at his post if permitted to do 30.
All these officers, save only RIr. oramer, are Citi-
zens Of New York. 1t was proposed to displace
them al, not for any alleged faults advantage of
the public service, but in order to give the great
office of Collector of the Port of New York to Mr.
his which are said to have aided in making the
inat1Dn Of Gen. GARFIELD possible,
The chain Of removals thus proposed was
broken by Gen. Badeau promptly declining
70 accept the new post to which he was to be SENT
These nominations summoned every member OF the
Senate to say whether he advised such transaction
The movement was more than surprise. We had
been told only few hours be ore that removals
OF Esw York officers were soon to be made, or even
considered, and had been requested to withhold the
papers andsuggestons bearing on the subject which
had been sent to for presentation, should occasion
arise, until we had notice from the President of his
readiness to receive them,
Learning that the Wee President wac equally
surprised, and had been equally mislea We sent
TO Mr.. James, the Cabinet officer from our State
and learned that; though lie had spent some time
with the President on the morning of the day the
nominations were sent in; no disclosure Of the in
tenton to send them in had been made to him, and
that the first he knew of the matter was by hearsay
following the event.
After earnest reflection and consultation we be-
heyed the proceeding unwise and wrong, whether
considered who l. in relation to the preservation and
integrity Of the pubic service and public example
to be SET or In relation also to the integrity Of the
Republican party. No public utterancs
OF comment or censure made by
either Of Us, in the Senate or eIsewhere
I'm tJa kao+4 \.
would reconsider the action, so sudden and hasty,
and would at least adopt less hurtful and lection
able modes of requiting personal or individual FER
vice, In this hope, the following paper was pre-
pared, signed and presented by Mr. James to the
President, who was subsequently informed that you
had authorized your name TO be added also:
To the Presidents
We beg leave to demonstrate against the change
in the Coectorship of New York by the removal
f Mr. Merritt and the appointment of Mr.
Robertson. The proposal was wholly a surprise
We heard of it only when several nominations
involved in the plan announced in the
Senate We had only two days before this been in
fornEd from YOU that change IN she custolns OFF,
ces ct New York was no5 contemplated, and. quite
igHtsalt of the purpose to luke sny act on now we
had no opportunity until after the nominations to
make the suggestions we now present We do not
be eYe that the interests OF the public service viii be
promoted by removing the present co lector and
putting Mr.. Robertson in his stead. Our opinion is
quite the reverse, and we beieYo political adj
party it's principles. Believing hat no ndh idual
has cqims or Obligations " ich should be lquidated
in such a mode, earnestly aid respe 1tfuly ask
that the nomination of Mr.. Robertson be Withdrawn.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
5. c. PLArT.
III JMAs T.. JAMES.
Roscoe GONKLING.
This paper was presented to the President by Mr.
James on Monday, the 2Sth day of March. Knowing
the frequency with which every one of the twenty
Presidents of the republic had withdrawn nominal
tons less serious sentations and the similar
and marked practice of. the present incumbent, we
did not apprehend that such suggestion would be
an intrusion an invasion Of any prerogativc of the
nominating power. We were disappointed. Imlne-
diatsly the public press, especially in articles and
dispatches written by those i'll close AMI constant
association with the President and with influential
members OF his Cabinet, teenled with violent de-
nunciations of the Senators from New York for
"opposing the administration aud debating to the
President.
Persans who visited the Executive Mansion report
ed the President resentful and impatient of the
hesitation OF the Senate to advise ard consent to
what he proposed. We had made no assault upon any
body We have at all times refused to answer questions
from rep esentatives of the press, or make COM
plant or comment even denial of many RUTHLESS
charges published against by oficious champions
of the administration. Indeed, beyond confidential
consultations with brother Senators and officials we
hrye said nothing until now upon this subject Nol
lave we or either of us promoted the deadlock in
the Senate in order to prevent influence action
on any nomination: nor have ever go stated
Immediately after the nominations were published
letters and kilograms in great mum GERS from
every part Of the State from its leading citizens,
protesting against the proposed changes, and con-
demnlng them on many grounds. Several thousands
Of the leading mercantile firms of New York, const
tuting, as We are informed, majority Of every
branch of trade, sent circumstances; sixty of thu
eighty lone Republican members of the Assembly, by
letter of memorial made objection. Representative:
In Congress, State officials, business mon, profes
sional men, commercial, industrial and political or
CARNATIONS are among the remonstrants and they
speak from every section of the State
Beside the nominations already referred to, there
were awaiting the action of the Senate several citi
zens of New York named for offices connected with
the courts District Attorneys and Nsrshals). Most
OF them had been originally commissioned by Mr..
Hayes. They were certified by Judges Of courts
and many other eminent persons, who attested the
fatnfulness and merit of their services and recon-
mended their continuance They were not presented
by u.s. We have not attempted to dictate, nor have
We asked the nomination of person to any Office
in the State Indeed with the sole exception of the
written request forth above, have never even
expressed an opinion to the President in any case,
unless questioned in rega:d to it.
Some days ago, the President abruptly withdrew
In one and the same act, the names of Gen. Wood
ford and Mr.. Tenney, and Of two Marshals This
unprecedented proceeding. whether permissible by
law or not, was gravely significant The President
had nominated these officers after they had been
weighed in the balance. Their official reco DIS were
before him, end had been fully scrutinized and ap
proved. Unjust be presumed that he thought the
nominations fit to be made and that it was his duty
to make them. There is no allegation that ne dis
covered any unfitness in them afterward. 1t could
hardly be that he had discovered unftness in all Of
them alike What, then was the meaning and purpose
OF this perempt ry step. 1t was immediately stated
ss if by authority and it to be admitted that
the purpose to ccerce the Senate or Senator's tC
vote as they would not vote if left free from EXecu
i've Interference The design was to control the
action of the Senators touching matters committed
by the constitution to the Senate and to the Senate
exclusively.
1t has been suggested in addition that by recalling
The nominations and holding them in his own hands
she President might in the event of the failure Of
another nomination. use them to compensate
that failure. II it can be supposed that all
these. public trusts are to be, or would il
any event be- made personal perquisites to b.
handled and disposed Of, not only to punish indie
pendence of Senatorial votes and action, but liquid
ate personal obligations of any individual. however
high in station, the conditions utterly vicious
and degrading, and their acceptance would conlpe
representatives of States to fling Gown their catf
and representative duty at the footstoo Of executive
power. Following this sweeping and startling ex
ecutive act, came the ominous avowals that dissen
or failure to advise and consent would be held
act Of ofense, exposing all Senators from whatsoever
State to executive displeasure.
Thus we find ourselves confronted by the question
whether we shall surrender the plain right and sworI
duty Of Senators by conserving to what believe
be vicious and hurtful or be assigned TO position
# disoyaity to the administration which we helpet
bring in, and the success of which we earnest de
sire, for every reason and motive which can entel
INTO the case.
We know no theory ayowed By any party which re
qaires such submission as is exacted. Although
raay he fairly considered in making