Daily globe., 1881-05-17
BY Mr.. James Monday, the asth day of March.

by Mr.. James Monday, the 25th day of March
Knowing the frequency with which every one
of the twenty of the Presidents of the repub-
lie, and markedly the present incumbent, had
withdrawn nominations on less serious repre-
sentations, We did not apprehend that such
suggestion would be treated as an Intrusion
or invasion Of any prerogative OF
the nominating power. we were
disappointed. Immediately the public
press, especially in articles and dispatches
written by those in close and constant associa.
tion with the President and with influential
members OF his cabinet, teemed with violent
denunciations of Senator's from New York for
opposing the administration and debating
to the President.
Persons who visited the executive mansion
! reported the President as resentful and I'M
patient OF dictation, to what he proposed. We
had made no assault upon anybody. We have
at all times refused to answer questions by rep.
resentatlves of the President, or make com.
plant or comment, or even denial, OF many
truthless charges published against us by offi'
cious champions of the administration. In
deed, beyond a confidential consultation with
brother Senator's and officials, we have said
nothing till now on the subject, nor have we,
or either of us, promoted the deadlock IN the
Senate in order to prevent or influence action
on any nomination, nor have we ever SO
stated.
| Immediately the nominations were pub.
hshed, letters and kilograms in great numbers
came from every part of the State, from its
leading citizens, protesting against the pro-
posed changes, and condemning them on
many grounds. Several thousands of leading
mercantile firms of New York, constituting,
we are informed, majority of every branch
of trade, sent us remonstrances.
Sixty of the eighty-one of the
Republican members of the Assembly, by
letter or memorial made objection. Republi.
cans in Congress, State officials, business men,
professional men, commercial, industrial and
political organizations, are among the remon-
strants, and they speak from every section of
the State.
Besides the nominations already referred to,
there were awaiting action of the Senate sew
eral citizens of New York, nominated for Of
fees connected with the courts, district at:
torneys and marshass. These were all reap
pointments. The most of them had
been originally commissioned by Mr.;
Hayes. They were recommended by
Judges of the court, and many other eminent
persons who attested their faithfulness and
merit, and recommend their continuance.
They were not presented by us. We have not
attempted to dictate, nor have we asked the
nomination of one person to any office in the
State. Indeed, with the exception of
the written request set forth
above, we have never even expressed an opin-
ion to the President in any case, unless ques-
toned in regard to it.
Some days ago the President abruptly with
drew, in one and the same act, the names of
Gen. Woodford, Mr.. Tenny, and of two mar
shalls. This unprecedented proceeding,
whether permissible by law or not, was
grayely significant. The President has nomi.
mated these officers after they had been
weighed in the balance. Their official records
were before him and had been scrutinized and
approved. 1t must be presumed he thought
the nominations fit to be made and that
it was his duty to make them. There is no
allegation that he discovered any unftness in
them afterwards. It could hardly be that he
had discovered unfitness in all of them alike.
What then was the meaning and purpose of
this peremptory step? 1t was Immediately
stated, as If by authority, and seems to be ad-
mittee, that the purpose was to coerce the Sen
ators to vote as they would not vote if left
free from executive interference. The design
was to control the action of the Senator's
touching matters committed by the constitu-
tion to the Senate and the Senate exclusively.
1t has been suggested in addition that by re-
calling these nominations and holding them
in his own hands, the President might in the
event of failure of another nomination use
them to compensate that failure.
Ifitcan be supposed that all these public
trusts are to be,or would in any event be made
personal perquisites to be handled and
disposed of, not only to punish
the independence OF Senatorial votes and ac
ton, but to liquidate the personal obligations
of any individual however high in station,
the conditions are utterly vicious and de-
grading, and their acceptance would compel
representatives of the States to fling down
their oath and representative duty at the foot
stool of executive power. Following this
sweeping and startling executive act
came ominous avowals that dissent or future
stadverse consent" would be held an act of Of
fense, exposing all Senator's, from whatever
State, to executive displeasure.
Thus we find ourselves confronted by the
question whether we shall surrender the plain
right and duty Of Senators, by consenting to
what we believe to be vicious and hurtful, or
be assigned position of disloyalty to the ad-
ministration which we helped to make land the
success of which we earnestly wished.
For every reason and motive which can
enter into the case, we know no theory
advanced by any party which requires such
submission as was exacted.
Although party service may be fairly con-
sidered in making selections of public officers,
it can hardly be maintained that the Senate is
bound to remove, without cause, incumbents
merely to make places for those whom any in
dividual, even President or member of the
cabinet, wishes to repay for being recreant to
others or seryiceable to him only.
About two years ago the Senate advised
| Gen. Merritt be appointed collector at New
York. It was understood that among the
| Senator's who so advised, was Mr.. Window,
now secretorv of department whose subordi.