The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1881-05-18
LATEST TELEGRAMS.
CONKLING VS.. GARFIELD.
Conflicting Opinions OF East
ern Politicians.

Platt was received in the Senate
Chamber, was fully shared through
out Washington as the news spread
like wild-lire during the afternoon,
and the extraordinary political sem
satiOn continues to be the absolutely
engrosSing topic of comment and
speculation tonight. The receipt at
the newspaper offices Of the argu-
ment, live joint letter of resigna-
ton telegraphed from Albany early
this evening, has, of course, largely
diminished the scope for speculation
in the best informed circles, but
gossip is still rife as to its future
/ consequences and the many col
lateral subjects of interest.
The universal belief is that Conk-
ling and Platt will be promptly re-
/ elected by the New York legislature,
and it is generally considered GER
tain that they had received satisfac-
tory assurances on this point before
they volunteered their designations.
The election, under the national
law governing such matters, cannot
take place until the second tuesday
after vacancies are created; and be-
fore the oath instant arrives the
Senate will undoubtedly have adj
jOurned. at all events, in view of
the action taken by the republican
caucus to-day, there is no proba-
bility of the senators being IN the
Senate chambers until after Robert
sons nomination shall have been
confirmed. The effect of their con-
certed action, therefore, is discussed
only with reference to party in
| tereSts in the more distant
future of next fall and win
ter. Friends of the Administration
express no apprehension on this
score, but democratic senators con-
fidently predict that tO-days occur
rences will widen the breach in the
republican party TO such an extent
as to make New York permanently
a democratic state, and also to
materially enhance their party
prospects elsewhere. Many demo-
Gratis and the friends of the admin
stration, generally, characterize the
joint designations as mere claptrap
and foolishness, petty conduct which
will neither help COnkling nor in
jure Garfield, and they argue that
the only "Yindication" that would
be effective would be direct vindi-
cation from the people of New Y FORK,
and not from the legislature elected
long ago in Conkling'S interest.
One of Conkling's friends in the
Senate, referring to this argument
| to-day. expressed the belief
that be will not ask reelection
from this legislature, but will
go before the people next fall,
and make a fight to elect new
legislature, which will re-elect him.
CUnkling's friends express conf
fidence that the publication of his
letter to Governor Cornell will make
a powerful impression throughout
the whole country in his favor. and
| that he Will return to the Senate
next winter with greater prestige
and more formidable influence in
the party than ever.
President Garfield, tonight, being
informed of the nature of COnk-
ling's letter, was asked if he wished
to make any statement in reply to
it. He remarked that he had no
controversy with Mr.. Conkling or
any other individual, and therefore
had no desire to make any reply to
this prOnunciamentO.
y rumor of an intention on the
part of the democrats to reorganiZe
the Senate committees, for the re-
mainder of this session, were in cir
culation to-day, but had no founda-
ton. They are perfectly content to
let that matter rest until next win
ter, together with the republican
resolution for an election of officers,
which they could now of course
very readily lay upon the table, but
which is just as dead" as if it were
already killed by parliamentary pro-
cedure.
The commerce committee, by
Conkling's resignation, is left
equally divided politically, and per-
haps equally divided also in regard
to the propTiety of confirming Rob-
ertson's nomination, but as all its
four remaining republican members
are bound by the caucus action to
report this case back to the Senate
tomorrow, it Will undoubtedly be
reported, though probably without
recommendation either favorably or
adverse. The result in any event
will unquestionably be the confirm
alton of Robertson next Wednes-
day, until which day the nomina-
ton, after being reported, may be
laid over by single objection.
a report was current to-day that
Vice-President Arthur also had re-
signed. If this unfounded TumOr
were true, he could not get back
again, and the equally divided Sen
ate next winter would find itself in
a condition of perpetual deadlock.
A FALSE ISSUE RAISED.
The issue raised by Senator COnk-
ling is false one. The President
does not question the right of sena-
tors to advise and consent to, or re-
ject Robertson's confirmation by
regular constitutional method of act
ing in their place under cOnstitu-
tiOnal responsibility. Conkling's sole
grievance is that the President wont
submit to his individual and unOf1i-
cial advice and fOrego the execu-
tive's own right and duty to
ask the Senate's combined judgment
upon such nominations as he con-
siders fit, and for public interest.
The arrogant attempt III usurpation
is all on Conkling's side, as every
body sees. except a very few who
are blinded by extreme partisan
friendship for, and self-degrading
toadyism TO COnkling.
1t is by no means certain that
the resigning senators can be re-
elected. Their reliance is on the
ability of their friends in the pres
ent legislature to compel reelection
as the alternative for the non-repre-
sentation of New York, or the
choice of democratic successors. 1t
is very doubtful whether the ma
jority of the state senate will feel
that the extinction of COnkling
tyranny is dearly bought at the cost
of a temporary defeat of the repub-
lican party. They believe the pres
emit question is whether the primary
or the party shall live, and if only
terrorism is killed, they think the
party will be much stronger three
years hence than it is now. They
say Conkling and Platt are now
leaders ola rebellion, and that treason !
must be defeated at any present
cost, as the means of ever getting
a united party based on that princi- /
Dla IF Is notorious that avarv i'm 3