Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-05-17


Whieh Neither was Fresent-What
TOOK Place Behind the Doors
Robertson TO be Confirmed To-day
The Stars Survey of the SItua-
tiOn-What Garfield Thinks of
CODklins's mOVe-The Senate TO
Adjourn on Thursdsy-RepubII-
cans Willing TO Make Harris
President Pro Tenn.
WASHINGTON, May 16-The designations
OF Conkling aud Platt created q profound
sensation here and took everybody by sur
prise. L ia all the talk to night, and the
NEWS correspondent has gathered the most
important facts. The caucus lasted over
three hours. It had been called in conse-
quenee OF the situation, as precipitated By
the action of ex Senators Conkling and
Platt, and naturally little was
talked of. The discussion was at
no time excited, and but for the peculiar
circumstances under which the caucus had
been called it would have been hardly in
teresting. The attendance was of course
almost entirely of administration Senators,
since to-day's depletion of the stalwart
ranks had left that wing OF the party in
helpless and sullen minority.
There was but one opinion with reference to
the designations, aud that was that the act
Of sending them was wholly indefensible
and unworthy Of Senator. 1t was pointed
out at length, and generally assented to,
that there being no principle at stake, but
merely a contest for patronage, there had
been no reason for anything more than
a respectful protest on the part
| of those who disagreed ia this
matter with the administration. This
the caucus had encouraged, and the sena-
tors thought that their courtesy and tole-
ration had been but lily repaid, when, hon
est attempts at Cancellation having failed
the Senators in whose behalf they had been
made should adopt the child's trick of re-
fuse to play because they could not have
everything their own way.
There was some discussion in the caucus
over civil service principles as illustrated in
the Robertson nomination, and in the end,
although vote was taken, it was generally
understood that the work In executive ses-
sion should 20 on and be disposed of with
the view of getting an adjournment this
week, as previously contemplated. This
was after the advisability had been
| considered of deferring action upon the
Robertson case until the New York Legis-
lature should have an opportunity OF filing
the vacancies occasioned by the designations.
That course was not regarded with favor,
and the caucus adjourned with the under
| standing, as stated, that the work should go
on. That, meanwhile, the Senators might
feel at liberty to consult with
the President, and that the Chairman, Mr..
| Anthony, might thereafter, in his discretion,
call another caucus. l. Is therefore ex-
pected by the Republicans tonight that Mr..
Robertson will be confirmed tomorrow,
although none OF them will venture to give
assurances that something may not inter
vene to defer action until after tomorrow.
Mr.. Anthony called at the White House
tonight and found the President resolute
and entirely satisfied with the situation. He
considered the designations as virtually a
surrender by Mr.. Conkling, who had found
so little support and foressw so complete a
defeat that he had chosen, rather than face
the final contest, to evade the issue by tenn
porarily vacating his seat in the Senate.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
The Vice President laid before the Sen
ate the following communication
WASHINGTON. D. C., May 16. 1881.
ITO Hon c. Il. Arthur, Vice President:
"SIR-WIll you please announce to the Senate
that ms resignation as Senator OF the United
States from the State Of New ork has been
forwarded to the Governor of the State?
Il have the honor to be. with great respect,
"[Signedl Roscoe CoNKLING."
This communication was received with q
great Sensation, which was heightened when
the Wee President laid the following before
the Senate:
SENATE CHAMBER, May 16, 1881.
ITO Hon. C. A. ArthuT, Vice President:
''cIR-I have forwarded to the Governor of
the state of New York my resignation as
senator OF the United States for the S ate Of
New York. Will you please announce the fact
to the Senator
with great respect, your obedient servant
"lSgnedl ]. Z. PLATT. "
4 hum of establishment followed the
reading OF this communication, and Mr..
Hill, of Georgia, suggested, soto UOce that
this would be a good time to elect officers
of the Senate.
Mr.. Burnside, Chairman Of the Commit
tee on Foreign Relations, reported back
fayorably from that committee the resolu-
tiOn declaring the consent OF the United
States Government to be condition prece-
dent to the construction Of ship canals or
other ways for transportation of sea going
vessels across the isthmus connecting North
and South America, and also to rules and
regul atiOns under which other nations shall
| in of enRh canals
other ways. Mr.. Burnside gave notice that
he would call it up tomorrow.
Mr. Dawes moved to go into executive
session.
Mr. Cockrell-I thought you wanted TO
consider the other resolution.
Mr. Dawes-I had no idea but that the
Senator would like to go on with 1t. 1t is
in accordance with the disposition which
has been shown from the beginning.
Mr.. Hill, of Georgis-The Senator said
that the republic would be subVertec II the
resolution was not acted upon.
Mr. Dawes-But the Senator would never
be convinced until he happened to have the
majority.
Mr. HIl-oh We won't insist upon hav-
ing Il considered.
Mr. Dawes--An accident is an eYe-opener
to the Senate.
Mr.. Hill turned around and suggested to
Mr.. Davis. of Illinois, that there was moth
ing 10 prevent the Senate from acquiring
u" The Senate then, at 1880, went into ex-
ecutive session.
When the doors were reopened, at 1:4O,
the Senate adjourned until tomorrow.
THE "sTAR" ON CoNKLING AND PLATT's
MOVE.
The Star this evening Gays: "When the
news of the designations OF Senators Conklipg
and Platt reached the Treasury Depart
ment to day great excitement ensued,
and officials and subordinates alike
were soon gathered in groups throughout
: '1rding discussing the situation and its
proaeAis eaect The theory Th'rh has
Nm advanced thst tLs SENATORS
ebo have resigncl are 4u.te c0oa-
dent Of being returned ~ the Aew YORK
/ LFgisiature as very geperallE accepted,
/ but r. W QueEters u is n.e', ,aluad tlat
- sccounG of tte allis'atu
having heretofore iDdOfsoA 80 4
| nation of Robertson to be
| Collector of the port of New York, it can
not consistently indorse the actions OF the
two Senators in opposing it. This course,
| bowever. it is conceded by prominent Re
nnhiieans. can easily be brought shout.
president Garfield was spprised OF tne
| confempi ated Fesigpatiens tnis morning
| and remarked to Treasury Official snortig
| bsso-e twelve O'Clock that he expected tue
news 10 arrive momentsrily. The resigna.
| - - tba tuyo 2anafOFs are the topics OF