Daily globe., 1881-05-06
GARFIELD's VAR ON CONKL1NG.


GARFIELD'S WAR ON CONKLING.
The war has begun in earnest. Presi-
dent Garfield has endured the importu-
mites of Office seekers for several months
past, and has displayed commendable
degree of patience under the ordeal. He
strove to deal fairly with the two fac
tions of the Republican party in New
York, giving each what he considered
fair share of the offices at his disposal.
he allowed Senator Conkling to dictate
the appointments for most of the offices
in that State, reserying for himself the
designation of the man who should occu-
py the office of collector of the port of
New York. He happened to select a man
who was obnoxious to Senator Conkling.
Some think the selection was
made for the purpose of provoking a,
contest that was inevitable from the first
Others think that the nomination was
made ignorantly- the impression
that his acts would be concurred in with
out question. The result has proved that
Mr.. Garfield fully appreciated the re-
sponsibility he was incurring, and was
prepared to test the question Of whether
he or Mr.. Conkling was President of the
United States.
From the date of the nomination of
Judge Robertson for collector of
the port of New York up to yes
terday President Garfield has endured
the taunts of the Conkl1ng men without
remonstrance. He has been content to
submit his nominations to the Senate,
asking their confirmation as matter of
form, but giving no explanation of the
motives that prompted his action. Of
late, however, the insolence of Conkling
has become almost unbearable, and yes
terday, the Senate having gone into ex-
ecutive session, the President threw down
the gage of battle and defied all comers
He sent message to the Senate with
| drawing the nominations of all of Conk-
ling's friends, and leaving before that
body for action the nomination of the
avowed enemy of the New York Senator
for the chief Office at his disposal. 1t
| was direct, unmistakable challenge
| to battle-an act that will command
the admiration of people generally.
Mr.. Garfield has no doubt calculated
his chances carefully, and has resorted to
| a war with reluctance With the instincts
of true general he has resolved to give
no quarter and to ask none. He has said
| to the Senate and more particularly to
| Mr. Conkling: 81 am President of the
United States and have exercised my dis
| cretion in the appointment Of Mr.. Rob-
ertson. Confirm him if you choose; re-
fuse to confirm him at your peril The
issue will determine who is the boss of
| this machine
The fight promises to be an interesting
one. 1t cannot now be evaded. Mr.. Conk-
| ling will be compelled to withdraw his
opposition to the President or to forego
all hope of placing any of his friends in
office, for the Presidents action plainly
indicates purpose to taboo every man
who wears the Conkling collar. 1t will
be war to the knife, and the knife to the
hilt-Garfield against Conkling. If Conk-
| ling shall succeed in defeating the con-
| firmation of Robertson, Garfield will
take good care that none of Conkling's
friends shall taste the sweets of federal
patronage. Unless Conkling is willing to
| surrender for all time his pretensions to
| political influence, he must accept the
gage of battle, and live or die in the
outcome. He has everything at stake
and must fight to the death. He has no
other alternative.
| What will be the outcomes There
seems to be no reason to doubt that the
President will triumph over his opponent.
The significance of his def is not con-
fined to Conkling alone, but to all of
these Senators who have presumed to
dictate his action. 1t is notification to
all of them to keep themselves within
proper bounds-to advise but not to die
tate. Ifthey assume dictatorlal airs they
are told in plain language that they must
expect to be. denied the privilege of
| advising The stand taken is a
| bold and manly one, but it
was the only one tho President
could take with proper self-respcct. The
issue had been forced upon him without
his own solicitation. He has used the
weapons at his command in protection
Of his own dignity and the dignity of his
office. He will win, without doubt, but
the result will be the complete rupture of
the Republican party, not only in New
Y ork but in other States dominated by
bosses of the Conkling stripe.
Transformation.