Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1881-05-28

Their Letter of ResIgnnuon as United
States Senators, In Winch sfhey Give Their
Reasons for Reslgning and Their Version
of the Differences Between Them and the
Administration at Whshington. ~
AN Albany IN. " telegram of the
10th gives the joint letter OF resignation
sent to Governor Cornell by United
States Senators Conk ling and Platt, and
which we publish in iull as a.matter OF
general public interest, giving, as it
does, "their side of the storyp y Y
WASHINGTON, p. O., May IA, 1881.
SIR; Transmitting as we do our resigna-
tions, respectively, of the great trusts with
which New York has honored us, 1t is tit that
we acquaint you, aud through you the Legls-
lature and people of the State, of the reasons
which, in our Judgments make such step
respectful and necessary. Some weeks ago
the President sent to the Senate in group
the nominations of several persons for public
Offices already filed One Of these Offices is
the Collectorship of the Port o. New York,
now held hx General Merfs ~ stni,cl;i the
Consul GeneralshipEat Eondon, now held by
General Badeau. Anorheris Charge d'AfIares
to Denmark, held by MIR. Cramer An
other is the Mission to Switzerland, held
by Mr. Fish, son of the former distin-
euished Secretary of State. Mr. Fish
has, in Difference to an ancient practice,
placed his position at the disposal of the new
Administration, but, like the other persons
named, he was ready TO remain at his post, If
permitted to do so. All these officials save
only Mr. Cramer are citizens of New York.
1t was proposed to dispace them ALL not for
any alleged faults, or for any alleged need or
advantage of the public service, but in order
to give the great Office of Collector of the Post
of Now York to Mr.. William II. Robertson,
as reward" for certain acts of his, said to
have aided in making the nomination of
General Garfield possiblei tl,'s'i u
The chain of removals thus proposed IVES
broken by General Badeau promptly declin-
ing to accept the new place to which he was to
be sent. These nominations summoned eyeEy
member Of the Senate to say whether he "ad-
vised" such a transaction. The movement was
more than surprise. We had been told only
a few hours before that no removals in New
York offices were soon to be made, or even
considered. and had been requested 20 with
hold the papers and suggestions bearing on
the subject which had been sent TO us forpre-
notice from the President of his readiness to
receive them. ~
Learning that the Vice-President was equal
ly surprised, and had been equally misled, We
went to Mr.. James, the Cabinet officer from
our State, and learned that, though no had
spent some time with the President ON the
morning of the day the nominations were sent
in no disclosure of an intention to send then
had been made to him, and that he first knew
of the matter by hearsay following the event
After earnest reflection and consultation we be
lieved the proceeding unwise and wrong, wheth
rcons .dered wholly in relation TO the preser
walton and integrity of tbs public service and
the public example to be set, or in relation
also to the integrity OF the Republican party
No public utterance of comment or censurt
was made by either of us in the Senate or else
where. On the contrary, We thought that the
President would reconsider an action Sc
sudden and hasty, and would at least adop
less hurtful and Objectionable modes of re luit
ing personal i,..l'--'arss.I .~i---I tlai.
hope the following paper was presented by Mr.
James to the President, who was subsequently
informed that you had authorized your name
to be added also:
"TO the President: We beg leave to rem9n
| strate against change in the CollectOrship a
! New York by the removal of MIR. Merritt anC
| the appointment of Mr. Robertson The pro
| pOsal was wholly a surprise. We heard of 4
! only whelrthe several nom nations involved il
| aplan were announced in the senate. We haC
| only two days before this been informed from
| you that change in the Customs Office a
| New York was not contemplated, and; quit
| Ignorant of your purpose to fake any action
we had no opportunity until after the nomina
! tons to make the suggestions we now pre-
! sent. Wedo not belie\ C that the interests o.
! the public service will be promoted by re
moving the present Collector and putting Mr.
/ RObertsOn in his stead. Our opinion is Quiti
the reverse, and we believe no political ad
vantage can he gained for either the, Repub
lican party or its principles. . Relieving tha
no individual has claims or obligations VIII g!
should be .liquilated in such mode, W
earnestly And. respectfully ask t1at TIN
| nomination of Mr.. Robertson be withdrawn
(Sgned) "CHESTER a. Arthur,
| THOMAS H. JAMES,,
TIC. PLATT,' ti' -
i ROSCOE CONKLING."
This lpper was presented to the Presiden
by Mr.. James on Monday, the 2Sth day G
March. Knowing the frequency with whic
every one of the twenty Presidents Of the RI
public, and markedly the present incumben
had Withdrawn their nominations on le,
| serious representations, we did not apprehen
|
intrusion or an invasion of any prerogative'c
the nominating power. We were disappon
| ed. Immediately the public press especial
in articles and dispatches written by those
close and constant association with the Pres
dent and with an influential member OF h
CabineU teemed with violent deEuuciatiOns {
the Senators from New York for 'OppOsin
the Administration and "dictating' TO N
President. Persons who visited the EXecutiv
Mansion reported the President as resentfI
! an mn "a pf hnCitntinn n
to advise and consent" to what /
proposed. We have made no assault upo
anybody. We have at all times refused
answer questions by representatives of IL
press, or to make complaint, or comment,
even denial Of the many truthless charg'
published against us by Oihcious champions
the Administration. Indeed, beyond cOnhde
tial consultations with brother Senators al
officials, we have said nothing until now upo
the subject, nor have we or either OF us promo
ed a deadlock in the Senate in order to preve
or influence action upon any nomination. N
have we ever so stated. Immediately ait
the nominations were published letters al
kilograms in great numbers came from evel
part of the state from its leading citizens pr
testing against the proposed changes, al
COndcmning them on many grounds. a l.
Several thousands of the leading mercantl
firms of New York, constituting, we are
forme ed, Il majority of every branch Of trad
sent ms remOnst ances. Sixty of eighty-ol
Repubi lean members of the Assembly by Il
ter or memorial made objection. RepT
sentatives in Congress- State officials, busine
men, professional men, commercial. indust
al and political organizations are among y
remonstrants, and they speak from every sc
tion of the State. Besides the nominatio
already referred TO there were awaiting q
action of the Senate several citizens of Nc
York. named for offices connected with court
District Attorneys, land iMarshaiS.F Inc
were all r0appointments Most of them ha
been originally commissioned by Mr.. Iayt
They were certified 10y Judges of Coui'
} and many other eminent persons, VINO att e
ed the faithfulness aud merit of their serylo
aud recommended their continuance. IN
, were not presented by us. - i.
We have not attempted TO dictate" n
have we asked the nomination of one pers
! TO any office in the State. Indeed, with I
sole exception of the written request set for
above, we have never even expressed an OPT
ion to the President in any case unless gu,
, | Toned i'm regard 10 IT. Some days ago. (