Morning journal and courier., 1881-05-17
News by Telegraph FROM ALL QUARTERS. A Desperate Move. #ConkIing Making His Last
 Bold Effort. His Resignation as Senator. A Similar Step by His Col
 league.
SENATORS AND OTHERS NoApLUssED.
His Game Not Yet Wholly
 Developed.
CoNKL1NG's RESIGNATION.

Both Resign-Everybody Taken by
 Surprise-The President Astonished by
 Subject.
 1 WASHINGTON, May 16.-A bombshelI burst in the Senate soon after it was called to order
 this morning in the shape of the resignations
 of Senators Roscoe Conkling and Thomas c.
 Platt of New York. The communications
 were in the usual form and were addressed to
 Vice President Arthur, and announced that 1 the resignation had been forwarded to the
 Governor of the State of New York, and re- quested having the announcement of the fact formally made to the Senate. This announce.
 ment was received by the Senators with gen.
 uine surprise, but the Senate immediately proceeded to the transaction of routine busi- ness and at 12:35 o'clock went into executive
 session. A number of nominations were
 confirmed, among others being that of Rich ard A. Elmer, of New York; to be second as- I sistant Postmaster General
 The absence of Senator Conkling from the | meeting of the Committee on Judiciary this morning was the first intimation of any trou- l ble brewing, but there was no time for con- ! lecture before the announcement of his resig- | nation was made. The galleries were well 1 filled and the Senate was nearly full when I the resignations of Conkli1g and Pfatt were announced Immediately after reading of the journal the Vice President said: q have the honor of laying the following communi- cations before the Senate. The clerk will read" The clerk then read the communica- tions announcing the resignations. To add to the sensation of the moment a rumor gained circulation that the Vice President had also resigned, but this was speedily o1,n1 hot the time.
 Half an hour after the letters of Senators Conkling and Platt were read to the Senate the news was communicated to the President. He was sitting at his table in the executive office when one of his secretaries rushed in from the telegraph clerks desk and excitedly told him that the operator had overheard 8 dispatch saying that the New York Senators had resigned The President was seized with the same feeling of stupefaction and aston ishment that affected all the others who had heard the news Housing himself he ex- claimed: II don't believe it.' The first thing President Garfield did after hearing the news was to dispatch messenger to the State department and request the presence of Blaine at the White House. Blaine went immediately, and then they held caucus on the situation. Messengers were instantly dispatched to ascertain the truth or falsity of the report. When confirmed the White House was in 8 state of excitement such as was never known there before. President Garfield seemed to be astonished. He ap- peared to labor under extreme excitement and paced up and down in his office unable to control his feelings.
 As soon as the resi- gnation of Conkling and Platt was announced stories began to circu- late that Postmaster General James had sent in his resignation also, and on the streets rumors soon spread that Vice President Ar thur and Attorney General McVeagh would also resign, but these stories all prove to be unfounded.
 The news of the resignations spread like wild fire, and has penetrated into every pub lie office and the dwellings of all classes There is other topic of general comment but Conkling's policy, and no other question is asked except what does it all mean? Opin- ions are freely expressed except among the Republican Senators. There it is evident that the opinions held will not bear general ventilation, and there is too much at stake now to admit of any clearly defined positions pro or con. Besides Conkling and Platt the most deeply interested persons seem to be Senator Malone and Messrs. Riddleberger and Gorham, respectively readjuster, candi- dates for doorkeeper and secretary of the Senate. The former was heard to say, when the resignations were announced, Well de- clare,'' and then he looked about for comfort He was not in his seat when the communications were read, but heard the
 
 ators of both sides were in the cloak rooms at the time, but soon assumed their seats when the news was noissd about. Perhaps the most surprised man was Don Cameron He stood near the east door of the chamber with his hands thrust carelessly into the pockets of light spring overcoat, and paid little or no attention to what the clerk was reading until the word resignation" was ut tered. Then the truth seemed to flash over him. His hands came out of his pockets, and as Conkling's signature was read he started involuntarily towards Senator Jones, of Ne vada, who stood near by. fe stopped in a moment. however, and as Senator Platt's let- ter was read disappeared in the cloak room. To all who saw Senator Cameron it was plain ly evident that he was not in the secret. At late hour on Sunday night Senator Conk- ling and Vice President Arthur were seen in close conference on the doorstep of one of their boarding houses on Fourteenth street. Senator Conklings carriage stood by the curb, and as he started toward it Vice Presi- dent Arthur was seen to put his hand before the Senator, but Conkling pushed it aside remarking: ''No use, I have made up my mind" The Vice President then knew all about the resignation, but his face bore no sign of undue interest when he laid the com munications before the Senate to-day. Sen ator Conkling was not at the Capitol at any time during the day, but Senator Platt is said to have been there as early as 9 o'clock, and to have left an hour later. The absence of both Senators was not generally noticed un- til the resignations were announced. Senator Ben Hill turned to Senator Pendleton at once and said: Where is Riddleberger ?'' A smile went round, but the wonder of the galleries was that the sensation was not more marked. Business proceeded as if nothing had happened.
 That the Committee on Commerce had done some work, even in the absence of their chairman, was shown by number of confr- nations made on their recommendation. Af- ter the disclosures of the day no one expect ed that Robertsons name would be reported before caucus was held, and 1t was s ated this morning that 1t was now well known on both sides that Chandler's nomination would not be reported at all. A prominent Demo crat said he had learned that Chandler's best friends were sure of his defeat, that they were perfectly willing to let his nominat lie with the committee.
 The Senate soon concluded executive busi- | ness and while the Republicans were in eau GUS the Democrats gathered in knots about 1 the chamber to discuss the situation. On all i sides was heard the inquiry, What will be- | come of Mahone, Riddleberger and the Vir- | ginia, patronagea Senator Johnston of Vir- 1 ginia upon being questioned declined to talk, | but said the matter had now been narrowed 1 down to a very delicate point and the least would it be for the State. Senator Malone | said: s'What do I think of it? We'll the | fact is have been SO busy and have been 1 so much worried by other matters haven't 1 had time to think about it. am perhaps 1 more surprised than anybody else, but cannot l tell the effect" Capt. H. "A Riddleberger l was not seen long about the Capitol after the | resignation, but to one who met him later 1 he said, 'Conkling and Platt will be returned right away. The Senate will stand as it did. l This Robertson matter will not interfere 1 with the desire of the majority of the Senate in regard to the reelection of officers" He l declined to say how he was pleased with his | chances, but was satisfied in his expression | of remaining hope. George c: Gorham peremptorily declined to be interviewed. If he had anything to say on this subject he said he should say it in his paper, and those who wanted to see it could read it. The Republican Senators for the most part declined to be interviewed, but one acknowledged friend of Conkllng has expressed himself as follows: 'It means l that Conkling and Platt will not be insulted and outraged by this administration. They lave known from the first that the nomina- ton of Robertson was Blaine's declaration of N ar a ainst the ruling element of the Repub-