The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-05-17
LETTER TO GOVERNOR CORNELL

Accompanying the ReSIGnaIIOn-COnk
ling and Plat Tell their Side OF the
story. .....
ALBANY, N. Y, May 16.-Following is
the text Of the letter from Senators Conk.
ling and Plat, accompanying their reSiG'
nations:
WARRINGTON, D. O., May "A, 1881.
srR:-Trausmittiug, as we do, our reSig.
nations respectively, Of the great trust
with which New York has honored Us, II
is Ct that we acquaint you and through
you the Legislature and the people Of the
State, with the reasons which In our
Judgment, makes such step respectful
and necessary. Some weeks Rgo the
President sent 10 the Senate In group the
nominations Of several persons for public
offices already filed. One oil these offices
Ia the ColleCtorship Of the port Of New
York, now held by General Merritti an'
other is the Consul General st London,
now held by General BAdeau;
another is the Charge d'Affairs to Den.
mark, held by Mr.. Cramer; another is the
mission 10 Switzerland, held by Mr.. Fish,
son OF the former distinguished Secretary
OF State. Mr.. Fish had, In difference 10
the ancient practice, placed bis position
at The disposal OF the new administration,
but like other persons named, he was
ready 10 remain at his post II permitted TO
do 90. All these officers, save only Mr..
Cramer, are citizens Of New York. II was
proposed 10 displace them all, not for any
alleged faults or any alleged need or cd.
vantage to the public service, hut In order
TO rive the great office Of Collector Of the
Port Of New York to Mr.. william II.
Robertson as a reward iot certain acts OF
his said to have "Aided 10 making the
nomination al Gen. Garfield possible"
The chain Of ofremovals thus proposed was
broken BY General B'deau' promptly de-
cliniug 10 accept the new place 10 which
he was TO be sent. These nominations
Summoned every member oil the Senate
10 say whether he advised such trAnsac.
tions. The movement was more than 0
surprise. We had been told only few
hours before that no removals 10 the New
York offices were soon 10 be made, or
even Considefed, and had been requested
10 withhold the papers and suggestion
bearing on the subject which had been
sent 10 tis for presentation should occasion
arise, until we had notice from the Ftesi'
dent OF bis readiness 10 receive them.
A COMPLETE SURPRISE.
Learning that the Vice President was
equally surprised and had been equally
inhaled we went 10 Mt. James, Cabinet
officer from our Stale, and learned that
though he had spent some lime with the
President on the morning oi the day the
nominations were sent Ia, no disclosure oil
the intention 10 send them had been
made to him, and that he atst knew oil the
matter by heafaay following the event.
After earnest reflection and consultation
we believed the proceeding tnwlse ahd
wrong, whether considered wholly 10 fe
lAtion 10 the preservation and integrity oil
the public service and 4 public example ID
be Get, or In relation also 10 the integrity
OF the Republican party. No public Ut
ieTapce Of comment OF censure was made
by either Of uS In the Senate or else.
where On the contrary, we thought the
President would reconsider his action, &C
sndden and hasty, and would at leas
adopt laas hnuinl and Objectionable
, modes Of tequitlng personal Or indivld
, : nal services. In This hope the tolloWinl
papef was prepared, signed, and sent BY Mi
James 10 the President, who was. su6se
ouently inform ed that you bad authorizes
your name 10 be added also.
d To he Prthdtni:
!. 1--WE beg leave 10 femonsLtate agAint
The change 10 The colleCtoF0hip OF Ne'