The daily gazette., 1881-05-19
SECOND EDITION
THE CONKLING-PLATT JOINT
LETTER,
AS Viewed by a Republican JOar.
mai.
From the PhIladelphia Praaa

AS Viewed by q Republic an JOur.
mai.
From the Philadelphia Press.
The remarkable letter with which the
New York Senators accompanied the
tender of their designations is scarcely
less surprising than the designations
themselves. Though Of consider able
length the reader rises from its perusal
as completely without any good reason
tor the extraordinary course of these
Senators as when he began; their posi-
tion, In fact, seeming less tenable than It
did before he had read their vinaication.
Had they remained silent better reasons
for their action would have been gener-
ously suggested by their friends than
any they have themselves seen fit to as
sign. The letter falls far sholt OF JUS
tiiication indeed, we must look outside
Of 1t for All adequate explanation for
their unusual course Of proceeding.
The letter opens by reciting the New
York nominations made by President
Garfield. The writers tien tell us e'these
nominations summoned every member
of the Senate to say whether he advised
such Transaction" Ii this were true it
would aHord ground OF complaint on the
part OF any Senator whose advice was
not taken, though we do not see how it
would compel his resignation. The
writers, how ever, misstate the Senatorial
| functions, and therein lies the cardinal
mistake Of their position. The Constitu-
tion does not provide that the Pres ident
shall make appointments with the advice
| and consent of Senators, but of the Sem
ace. With Senators individually he has
officially nothing to do. He deals only
with the collective body, which,I acting
through majority of its. members, has
the right to veto any nomination which
he, in his discretion, may see fit to make.
Ii cnstom has grown up of consulting
Senators concerning The Federal nomina-
tions in their own States, and President
Garfield has refused to be IN every in
stance bound by this custom, Senators
may be dissatisfied, but their real
grievance Is with the Constitution and
not with the President.
The letter conf lains of the President
| withholding Information as to his inten-
tions and making nominations conflict
| ing with previously formed expectations.
1t accuses him OF using public trusts as
personal pefqulsites, OF violating the
principles ofcivil-seryice reform, and of
attempting to control the action of Sena-
tors touching matters committed to the
Senate exclusively. Ii this were true it
might perhaps furnish some reason why
the New York Senators should endea-
Vor to procure the resignation OF Presi-
dent Garfield, but we are at a loss to see
| In what way it should constrain them to
throw up their own positions. The
writer's impeach Mr.. Robertson's person
al integrity in Ehat he organized The bolt
i at Chicago and induced those who made
specific pledges to support General Grant
10 disregard gssch pledges. u Whether this
charge thus supported would have had
weight If addressed to the senate In exc.
cutive session we need not consider; Its
relevancy when addressed TO Governor
Cornell is certainly not apparent.
The Senators profess to find themselves
confronted by the question whether they
shall consent to what they believe to be
vicious and hurtful, or be assigned to q
position of disloyalty to an Administra-
tion which tLey helped to bring in. Ii
it is disloyalty In Republican Senators to
oppose what they deem improper nomi-
nations, then what becomes oftheir high
prerogative of advising appointments
which the writer's in another place
would extend even to individual appro-
val? If the position Of the New York
Senators is logically sound, then when
ever President Garfield makes nomina-
ton which Republican Senator finds
himself unable to ''aIvise," the latter is
bound in party loyalty to tender his res
EQUATION. Ia anoeher part OF their letter
the resigniDg Senators announce that 1t
is as MUCH the right and duty of Sena-
tor to give honest, independent advice, as
it is Of The President TO propose name.
This is true enough, and 1t is equally
true that when he finds his honest and
independent advice overruled by his fel-
low Senstors his duty in the premises is
fully discharged. The New York Sem
ators announce that, rs doubts have been
expressed as to the correctness of their
position, they telt it their duty to sub
init the matter to their State Legisla-
ture. How that body will remove the
doubts which have been raised we do
not know. If, however, it makes the
position of the New York Senators per-
fectly clear and comprehensive, 1t will
do more than we think can be claimed
for the mint latter of rasiQnation