The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-04-28
The Situation at Washington.

The usually accurate Washington cor
respondent Of the Philadelphia Press,
furnishes the following interesting state
ment of the situation and the probabilities
growing out of it at Washington, under
date OF the oath:
Since the announcement that there was
no hope of the President withdrawing
Judge Robertson's name as collector at
New York and the determination to have a
caucus of Republican Senators on Wednes-
day next, discussion OF the questions at
issue between the President and Senator
Conkling has taken wide range, removing
them in great degree from the arena OF
personal conflict and creating a better feel
ing. if not opening the way to an adjust
ment involving no loss of self-respect to
either A recital of the incidents of the
memorable interview between Mr.. Conk-
ling and the President when the New York
appointments were canvassed shows that
the differences, which the nomination OF
Judge Robertson has provoked, are largely
the result Of a misunderstanding by the
President of the attitude of the New York
Senator toward the nominee. 1t now
transpires that it was Gen. Garfield's orig
inai intention to appoint Judge Robertson
Eastern District of New York and to pro-
vide for General Woodford in some other
direction and that he so stated to Mr..
Conkling at this interview. 1t was then
definitely stated by the President that the
wing of the Republican party in New York
which Judge Robertson represents should
be recognized in him, the only question
being as to the place. Upon this he asked
Mr.. COnkling's advice. Mr.. COnkling
thought that Judge Robertson himself
would recognize the fact that his profess
sional experience had not been of charac-
ter to fit him for a prosecuting officer.
This suggestion to the President settled
Judge Robertson's fate for that place. He
was not then mentioned for the collector
ship, although it was well understood that
he was to have some important place.
During this interview long list of ap-
pointments to Federal offices in New York
was, scrntinized, and Mr.. Conkling's prefer
enees consulted and acted upon. The col
lectorship was not discussed at this time
except incidentally. Once during the talk
Mr.. Conkling said to the President: when
are you going to remove Mr. Merritt ~
General Garfield replied in substance ::
THAT matter will be taken up sOOn," Al
ter the interview and several nominations
had been made in accordance with Mr..
Conkling's suggestion, the disposition Of
Judge Robertson's case forced itself upon
the Presidents mind in accordance with his
announced policy Of making it manifest at
| the outset OF his administration that all
| elements of the party were to be recognized.
Senator Conkling was not consulted as to
this nomination for the reason that the
President thought that the general under
standing with Mr.. Conkling covered what
liSnOcitinn hn noirht mako Of .TndOp
Robertson. He was, therefore, as surprised
as any one else at the bitter opposition it pro-
vOked, 1t was not made with any purpose
of antagonizing Mr.. Conkling. Indeed, it
was well understood that none of his ap-
pontments were to be considered as re-
warding or Furnishing, and that any such
abuse of them would meet his prompt dis
approval. This view the President had in
mind when he named Judge Robertson for
the collectOrship, and he supposed Mr..
Conkling would so understand. He does
not intend now, that the CustOm-hOuse in
New York shall be used as a political ma
chine by Judge Robertson to weaken MIR.
Conklings influence. Indeed, he intends
to go further and see to it that it is not
done.
All these facts, which are stated by au-
thority have been put in such shape that
Mr.. Conkling will be made fully aware of
the Presidents disposition, his aims and
purposes, before the caucus is held Oh
Wednesday. 1t is evidently the Presidents
purpose to strengthen his positi N by show
ing disposition to have his motives fully
understood and to demonstrate his desire
for an amicable adjustment of the misun-
derstanding as well as his desire to recog-
| nize Mr.. Conkling's eminence and in
! tiuence. He does not, however, see how he
can recede from the position he has taken,
and while going as far as his self-respect
will permit to prevent a contest, will not
withdraw Mr.. Robertson's name. This
frank statement of the Presidents position
is having a marked influence upon the
situation and eminent friends of both the
President and Mr.. Conkling are endeavor-
ing to bring about an amjcab!e adjustment
upon this basis, and the prevailing opinion
is that there is possible chance Of success.