New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-05-17
DISCUSSION AMONG POLITICIANS.

! evening.
DISCUSSION AMONG POLITICIANS.
WHAT WAS SAID WHEN THE FIRST SHOCK OF SUR
PRISE WAS oyER-GENERAL DIsAPPRoyAL OF MR..
Combines CoURsE-A RULE OR RUIN POLICY.
The announcement on the bulletins yesterday
noon Of thtresignations Of Senator's Coukng and
Platt cansed great stir in political circles through
out the city. Groups of could be in tho
hotel Corridors street corners in restaurants and.
indeed almost everywhere, discussing the news. No
political act OF recent times has caused greater
prise. The old phrase in regard to Oiicehodcrs that
few die and resign has stood the test Of expert
ence 80 well tlrt few persons could be found yes
tcrday who were not slow to believe that Mossrs
Conkng and Platt had given up their places. Two
weeks ago report was circulated in tins city that
Senator Platt would rcsignif Judge Robertson was
confirmed, aud the rumor excited merriment at tho
time Hence when the report came that both sena-
tors from this State had sent in their resignatons
il was thought at first that it was repetition and
enlargement of the former rumor. When the
truth Of the news was established,
there was still an unwillingness shown 10 believe
that the Senators had resigned merely because they
could not control the nomination Of q Collector Of
the Port. 4" II seems too ridiculous, too much like
boys play said a leading Republican who has
heretofore acted with the " machine; " and shall
wait for an explanation before | can believe that
Senator Conkling has resigned on such grounds"
Only few machine politicians could be- found who
were ready to approve the course Of the Senator's,
while scores admitted that il a serious bunder.
frequent expression was that because Senator
Conkng could not have his way he was ready to
destroy the party. " IL is the rule rain policy
said prominent business man, land it
must efectually destroy the influence Of
s.,oi ,.I 30.
think that it would be good thing for the State.
providing the people could bc allowed TO give an
opinion upon it. II the Senator had waited until
the Legislature had adjourned and sought vindica-
ton at the balot-box, said prominent Republican,
he would be buried 80 deep y never to be able 70
recover"
This gives US the State next fall SAID Demo-
Gratis generally. " If the Republican leaders want
10 contest the State on the principle of controlling
patronage said Democratic Judge now on tho
bench, 81 think we can count upon walk-over.
That is not what the people send representatives. 10
Washington for"
The prospects of the reelection Of the Senators
much discussed. There general approval Of
President Garields course II il will only end tbs
rule of Bosssm in this State" said a Republican,
"he will deserve the everlasting gratitude of tho
people, No one thought that the senators intended
that the Senator'S would seek " "vindcatiOn" Of
their opposition to Judge Robertson AT the hands Of
the Legislature. The fact that the Legislature
unanimously approved the nomination of Robert
son aud then refused TO revoke its approval under
pressure from Washington was thought In some
quarters To indicate that Mr. Conkling and NJ.
plat could not be reelected The fact that MI.
PIatt secured his election by the aid of Judge
Robertson was suggested proof that be could not
now be elected
The machine men, however. We're firm in their
belief that both senators would be returned. and
their opponents were not disposed TO dispute the
statement very strongly. IL was argued that tho
whole power OF the party organization in this state
was used last fall to elect amaory OF the L"slatare
that would vote for United State Senator IN bar
mony with Mr.. Conkling That result was secured
and had the machine been united on Mr.. Platt
he would not have needed the votes of 1ir Robert
son and his friends 10 his election When no
shoud come up for reelection on a question OF tho
control Of patronage for his wing OF the party,
IL was said yesterday, every machine vote
wtuld be east for him. Then, too, II Is known
that Mr. Conkling has the friendship OF Hubert o.
Thompson and other leaders in the TildeD Denoc-
racy and that those persons are frequent visitors at
General Arthurs residence, and that they recently
endcayored to influence Democratic votes in tho
Legislature 10 aid Mr. Conkling III getting the Rob-
ertson resolution rescinded. II is thought that the
Senators can depend on this influence TO prevent
united action on the part OF the Democratic egisla
tors in voting against the interests Of Mr.. Conkling.
The charter an,, other pending legislation in Albany,
and the nominations now before the Aldermen. on
which the Republican members controlled by Gen.
eral Arthur hold the balance Of power, are all
levers which can be used TO Mr.. Conkings adyan-
tage in securing reelection. IL generally adj
nitted that the influence OF the Governor aud his
patronage could alone defeat the reelection Of tho
two Senator's By the present Legislature but no one
could be found who believed that the Governor
would oppose Mr. Conklng.
MR.. FREScn's EARLY IMPORTATION.
Commissioner French returned To the city from
Washington late yesterday afternoon. He told . .
TRIBUNE reporter that he had shared in coDsllta-
ton between Senator Conklng and viee-President
Arthur at which the step taken yesterday had been
fully discussed. This was on Sunday. - Besides Mr..
Arthur myself and Mr. Platt no living soul knew Of
what was coming, y he said. Governor Cornell had
no intimation Of it. nor had . single Senator. r.
Conkling had fully decided the matter in hisVwn
mind and acted with the, utmost deliberations
II is alleged that the Republican party IN
advisers in this matter Of the Collectohip Senator
Conkhng and his friends deny this, and are willing
has done in offering bis resignation. He takes tnn
course to determine the question whetn"
is In tho right or not; II no .,.msssh -
ss band pas o too fe %"sS MSy u the wishes sc
st;tnepts. To nv mind there can be no SnsSstt2s
o the result The Lssisatpfs sarss ss iai that the he and
Senators At once, and show NJ nr. Geskns Is Of tie
nn;nion aS that tSe facts q matter ARE not pr91s
Sndersieod BY the public believe as fns fss
e9r5ect Any rsas1n mnt s arrive at the unayoidsb