The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-10-22
WHAT CAN THEY DO WITH
WNEUH
SATURDAY, OCTOBER %, 1881.

The puzzling problem with which the
Garfield Administration had to contend,
was what to do with Roscoe Conkling
and his following. The problem which
confronts the Arthur Administration is
what TO do with James G. Blaine and bis
following.
In the former case Blaine saw but one
solution. 1t was to fight the third tenn
ers at every point; to deprive them OF
power aud influence and leave them with
out vestige OF political patronage. To
do this the famous treaty of Mentor by
which Conkling, Grant aud their coterie,
were won to the support of Garfield was
ignored. 1t was a gross violation of
honor, but Blaine seemed to act as if the
end justified the means. Every COM
pact Was rudely violated, every pledge
broken; the New York Custom House
citadel was seized by the appointment OF
Robertson; Conkling aud Platt were
driven from the Senate and the spoils OF
Government, together with the blandish-
ments of the railroad lobby were used to
induce the Legislature to refuse them
reelection and to return two more pill
able and serviceable men instead. The
plan was comprehensive and fer time
successful. 1t was in fact reversal of
the Stalwart machine doctrine, turned
against its originatcrs.
The bullet of an assassin has complete
ly changed the conditions. The warm
friend and long time enthusiastic sup
porter of Conkling, is now the head of
the Nation, and that is equal to, if not
superior to that held by Mr. Blaine un-
der the Garfield regime. Will wsr be
madeupon Mr.. Blaine in retaliation At
tile outset some thought it would be, but
with the lapse of time it gradually dawns
upon the minds of the people that the
policy of the President is to conciliate
and not to antagonize No one knows
better than bimself that the course of his
predecessor in permitting party differ
euces 10 be pushed to an extreme was
subversive of all chances of success in
political contests.
President Arthur recognizes the great
strength of Mr.. Blaine. He appreciates
the fact that he is the recognized leader
OF the auti-third-tern host and that he
cannot be ruthlessly cast aside or ridden
over. He is also the acknowledged sur
vivor OF the Garfield Blaine partnership
and entitled to conduct business at the
old stand without let or hiuderance. He
has all the Garfield sentiment on his side
and it is indeed powerful. 1t elected
Foster in Ohio, and it will defeat BNily
in this State, and it is what gives sem
blance of vitality to the HALT Breed
party in New York. Whatever of Gar
field survives in a political SENSE survives
in Blaine.
1t has been suspected that President
Arthur desires to retain Mr.. Blaine in the
Cabinet just long enough to lose him TIE
respect and confidence of the Garfield
men and cause lin to be suspected o.
yielding TO the third-term plot. If he
eeuld do this of course his political de-
struction would be easy enough. Bu
he cannot be incontinently bounced ani
subjected to the whims and caprices o.
political enemies. for when Blaine shal
be provoked to warfare ON Arthur's Ad
minisiratipp, the result will be vastly diff
ferent from that OF the conflict betweer
tbe Garfield Administration and Senator
Conkling.