New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-04-26
SrN1t0nS ~ NOMIN1rIONS.

Whether senator Conkling chooses Ia enlist
i'm warfare against the Administration. IN L.
Spcct 10 appointments which do not suit hmm. D,
a question of importance chiefly 10 him and Ia
those who depend upon his favor. 1t II an
Obvious though common mistake 10 suppose
that President Garfield has occasion 10 be
espccially anxious in regard to that matter.
What he needs tn be anxious about is that his
nominations should be worthy of approval. II
he makes such nominations, a. he has done IN
the main thus far, he may rest assured that the
Republican party will support and sustain him.
If some Republican Senators do not, they will
certainly discover in the end. that their coar%c
is a mistaken one, and that the Republican
voters do not approve it or justify them.
1t ia the duty OF the President. and not Of
Senators, to make nominations for office. The
duty of Senators lis to confirm the nominations
of worthy, upright and capable men, and 10
help the President TO make such selections
when they are called upon for information OF
advice. They have no more night Ia reject a
worthy and suitable nominee, because he docs
not happen to bc the person they would have
preferred, than the President has To select I'M
worthy or incompetent men IN order to satisfy
any personal feeling or interest. The people are
going to bold both To their constitutional re-
spensibiltics- They are going to hold the PrcSl-
dent responsible for the selection OF worthy
upright and capable men. Then they are going
In hold Senators responsible, if the confirmation
of such men ia for any reason refused. In that
event it will be the Judgment of the people that
Senator'S arc trying to usIrp power which
does not belong to them. The legitimate in
ference will be that they are trying To usurp
| this power for selfish and unworthy ends. II
that state of facts arises the people will decide
quickly whether the Senators are their bosses
| or their servants.
| Inasmucl IA Republican Senators are not ig
norant of public opinion and feeling, We take II
| for granted that few of them will venture upon
n course of attempted dictatiOn to the President.
| All information thus far goes to show that
they will he ready to approve appointments to
which there is no lust and reasonable objection
The personal opposition of one Senator, or Of
two or twenty, is not just and reasonable OBJ
lection. On the contrary, it would be piece
of impertinent usurpation for any Senator to
vote against a nomination, otherwise proper,
merely because it did not happen TO suit his
personal interests or preferences
The Democratic Senators have no different
duty. let IL h euppDctu ny n"Hl' 'Ht'I Al'l
will try to defeat the nominations of the Presi
dent for partisan reasons. We shall see
whether they will add this to the many other
mistakes which the Democratic party has made.
! The people have no overwhelming fondncss for
that party, as matters stand. II they find it
trying to thwart and cripple an honest and cap
able President in a sincere effort 10 promote the
efficiency of the public service by his selections
the Democratic party will not gain strength
| thercby-and it needs to gain strength, If II is
ever to make another struggle.
The suggestion is made that Senator COnk
ling may succeed in defeating appointments,
otherwise worthy, which may not happen to
please him, by q bargain with the Democratic
! Senators. According to this suggestion, he is
| expected to vote against the removal OF Demo-
/ cratic officials who have prevented the enforce
ment Of the laws in some of the Southern
: States, provided they will vote against the con
| iirnation of nominees who do not please him.
, II Senator COnkling has foe cruel enough to
wish him to take such position, that foe Is to
| be ptied for his and mcrciless disposition.
| When that Senator, or any other, allies himself
| with Democrats To prevent the removal Of any
| officials who impede the enforcement of law, or
| TO defeat the confirmation of worthy and loyal
political grave digger. AS Senator COnkliug
has not been in the habit Of sacrificing himself
for tho sole benefit Of Southern Democrats, il
| Is hardly to be expected that be viii commit