New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-05-06
4 SIGNIRIc1NT S1EP


President Garfield sent message TO the Senate
yesterday withdrawing the nominations made
several weeks ago for the New-YOrk Marshall
ships and District Attorneyships, and for the
Collectorship of the Port of Buffalo Tho gen
tlemen nominated for these places are all per-
sonal friends and political supporters Of Sena-
tor Conkling Their selection was in pursuance
of what ut the time seemed the wise plan Of
giving representation in prominent official posi-
tions to all sections of the Republican party in
the State of New York. With the utmost good
faith and an earnest desire 10 pat aside the old
fractional Discussions which have weakened
the New-York Republicans, as things of
the past, TO be buried and forgotten,
the Administration made its first nominations
in this State from among the men cOnspicu-
ously identified with the COnkling element. II
made m open-handed protier of harmony and
good feeling, not stingily and grudgingly, but
with hearty generosity, giving half dozen of
the best offices In the State to men who had
faithfully followed Mr. Conking's fortunes and
were recognized rs his active lieutcnants. Then
a single nomination was made from the ele-
ment which does not follow Mr.. COnkling's
leadership-the element which triunphed in the
Chicago Convention and made General Gar
field President.
What followed is known 10 every one.
The proffer of harmony and good feel
ing was rudely repealed by Mr.. COnkling.
The nomination of Judge Robertson was de-
nounced as an act Of perfidy toward him.
war was begun upon the President and per-
sistent attempt made to divide the slender Re-
publican majority In the Senate by organizing
an anti Administration faction in that body.
The President is not a man TO seek a quarrel.
Indeed he Is patient and lOng-mnering to a
fault, az are most men OF genuine staying
courage, but nobody who knows him has ever
doubted that he would resist If crowded too
hard. The question must have arisen in his
mind many times during the past few weeks,
how long he was bound by his sense Of
magnanimity to uphold Mr.. Conkling's friends,
while the Senator and they too, behind the back
of their protector, were striking at him.
He waited a long time for some signs of
returning good-sense and good-temper from
Mr.. Conkling, but nothing came 10 his ears but
bitter words and threats. AT last it would
seem. he has concluded that the business Of
peace and harmony is partnership arrange
ment in which one side cannot be required to
furnish all the capital of condescension and
kindness while the other puts in only misrepre-
sentation and abuse.
We do not understand that the withdrawal
Of the names Of Messrs. WoOdford, Tenney,
Payn. MeDougall and Tyler means any inten-
ton on the part of the Administration to pro
scribe any Republican element or TO encourage
any form Of fractional strife. II would seem to
signify only this-that while Mr.. Conkling has
declared open hostilities against the Admins
trasion. and boasts that he will effect the re-
lection of Judge Robertson's nomination,
the President thinks it desirable that
the result Of this attack should be
made known before the other New-York
places are filed. 1t may be necessary,
in case a sufficient number of Senators should
follow Mr.. Conkling ia his reckless c0uze TO