Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-03-31
ConklIng ana the Robertson NOmina
ton.


The nomination Of Judge Robertson
TO be Collector OF the Port of New York
still seriously dfsturbs CoRkling and his
Heutenants, Platt and Arthur. They
hadsso counted on controlling the great
State of New York through the medium
of the New York custom house, that
the nomination of an authorizing
snti-stalwart and an honest man to the
Ooilectorship has materially interfered
with their calculations. Hence it is stated
that though the New York Apollo is afraid
to come out yet awhile and declare war
against Mr.. Garfield as he did against
Mr.. Hayes, still, the situation Is so
fraught with peril to himself and his
friends, that he is contemplating making
an effort to defeat the administration by
the still hunt policy. 1t has been no
ticed that since the fight over the Senate
officers now going on was inaugu
rated, Conkling has not been
the leader of the Republicans,
as it was expected he would be. This
has been construed into desire on his
part to excite no Democratic antsgonism
Just at tlIis time, because he wishes TO
win the Democratic Senators over to his
side, 50 that when the question of the
nomination of Judge Robertson comes up,
he may be able to induce them 10 vote for
rejection, and so, by the aid of the De-
mocratic votes, accomplish this .pur-
poses.
1t is to be hoped that the Democratic
Senators will lend themselves to no such
scheme. for principle and policy alike
demand that they should not. From all
that is said of Judge Robertson,
be is man of acknowledged
ability and high character, and
eminently fitted for the position, and
past experience proves that if one of
Conkling's henchmen should finally sue
coed in getting into the responsible posi-
ton Of Collector of Customs at the port
Of New York, he would use the place
more for the advancement of the Conk-
lingites than for the public good. 1t is
the duty of the Democratic Senators to
see that honest men, rather than unscru-
puIous politicians, fill the important
places of the government, and therefore
Judge Robertson should be preferred by
them above anyone Conkling could
suggest.
Beyond this, too, the mere fact that
Conkling is so bitterly opposed to this
nomination should induce the Demo
Gratis of the Senate to determine to cast
their votes and use their influence. in favor
of Judge Robertson's confirmation.
There is no more malignant stalwart in
the country than the curly headed SEN
ator from New York. During
the last campaign he made one
Of the greatest efforts OF
his life to defeat the Democratic party
by maligning and villifying the South,
and seeking TO array the sections against
each other. On the other hand Mr.. Gar
field, while an ardent Republi-
can, has certainly shown a dispo.
sitiOn in this very nomination to affiliate
with the more conservative rather than
with the ultra wing of his party. We do
not see how, under these circumstances,
any Democratic Senator who has respect
for himself and regard for his party can,
for moment. hesitate in deciding upon
what position he will take
These are the reasons why, if Conkling
is really counting on Democratic support
to defeat Judge Robertson's nomination,
Democratic Senators should, on princi
pie, refuse to lend him aid and comfort.
Why they should arrive at the same
determination from motives of policy is
equally as manifest The New York
Senator is the leader of his party in his
State. He has heretofore met with
opposition within his party, but has
successfully managed to overcome
it and win victory for the fac
ton he represents. He made war
on Hayes, and every man whose cause
he chsmpioned is in Office, one Of the
most prominent being now Vice Presi-
dent of the United States and another
Governor of New York. He is, there
fore, the most formidable power against
the Democracy of his State, and it is the
policy of the party to break down that
power as far as they are able to do so.
To reject Judge Robertson at Conk-
ling's desire would be to play in
his hands and enable him to strengthen
himself and faction, while to oppose him
would be not only to weaken his strength,
but to strengthen the weaker Republican
faction in the State, and thus enable
them TO more stoutly maintain war.
fare which must rebound to the benefit
Of the Democracy.
Nothing is clearer than that Demo
cratic Senators are moved by every con-
sideration to sustain Judge Robertson as
the best man and the one least objec-
tionable to their party, who can, at this
time, be nominated for the New York
Collectorship. 1t is therefore to be
hoped that when the vote on his con-
firmation is taken they will be found. to
a man, recorded against Conkling, and
on the side of the administration.
At last, after lapse of thirty years,
some atonement is likely to be made in
France to the victims of the I'd of De-
cember, 1851. Under the present gov
eminent careful inquiry has been made
into the number of persons who suffered