New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-05-17
NDIGNANT BrT NOT FRIGHTENEp.


WHAT REELECTION WOULD sIGNIFY-RIDIcU-
LoUs RUMOR ABOUT THE vICE-PREsIDEST.
| WAsHINGroN. May 16. IT Q resignation of Mr..
ConklIng and his faithful assistant Platt created
a genuine surprise and has cen the one theme of
discussion among politicians in Washington to-day.
Perhaps not moro than one or two Senator'S knew
what coming when the Clerk OF the Senate
opened n document which was handed to him by
the Vice-President Immediately after the journal
had been read.
The reading of the short note informing the Senate
of Senator Conklngs resignation did not at first at
tract very general attention the Senators being
orally occupied in conversation looking their
morning mail. Several who caught its meaning, in
great astonishment demanded a second reading Of
the document. Everybody heard ii that time and
n look Of amazement overspread the faces of many.
The reading of Mr.. Platt's notice that he had for
warded his resignation 10 Governor Cornell fol-
lowed as a matter Of course, and it surprised no.
body. Ever since he became member Of the
Senate Mr.. Platt has been playing the game Of
follow my leader the leader of course being SEN
ator Conkng, whose bidding Mr. Platt has done IL
all things.
Senator burnside reported from the Committee
on Foreign nelations the Monroe doctrine resolu-
ton and announced that he would call il mp to-
morrow, but nobody paid any attention to it. Mr.
sidcration of executive business which motion was
adopted after some ironcal remarks by Senators
Ill., Of Georgia and Cockrcll about the pending
resolution 20 elect officers of the Senate. The ex
ccutiye session n short one, and ahout o'clock
the Republican Senator'S assembled IN caucus TO
consider tho situation.
Neither Mr.. Conkling Mr.. Platt put in ap-
pcarancc at the Capitol this morning. and neither
one in his note to the Yicc-Prcsdrnt explained his
l. & Nj. L.
at loss TO account for the unexpected action. how
ever. Everybody said that Mr. Conkling resigned
as soon as he found the confirmation OF Judge Rob
ertsons nomination 10 be inevitable and Mr.. Platt
rcsgned-bccause Mr.. Conkling told him TO do So
The general tone Of comment among Republicans
and largely among Democratic Senators alsO-was
that Mr.. Conklng had shown lamentable weakness
in rcsigning nj this time after he had used every
effort in his power to defeat the Administration.
Senator Hoar said: 81 should say that the whole
performance is one Of exceeding pettiness. do not
see anything in the situation that usties an aban-
donment Of pos; Of duty which person has under
taken or 10 force change in the political majority in
the Senate because tho President and the majority of
the Senate differ with respect TO tho nomination for
the New-York Custom House. do not think that
the action is going 10 have a serious influence the
fortunes Of the country or Of the Republican party.
have believed with earncstness that the Ma
hone contest was the beginning OF the end
with the Solid Sonth, and that IL afforded "A
prospect ofputting end 10 parties divided on sec
tional lines and Of the attempt 10 hold power by
criminal practices the elective franchise and
have been very sorry indeed that ANYTHING has di-
verled the public attention from the ono struggle
which has seemed to promise great public results,
and one which was OF great dignity In my Judgment
have regretted very much that tho President has
found il advisable to make a change IN the Custom
Uonse. when the experiment OF making appoint
uents hy examination was in process Of successful
trial think it has been q great injury to the
movement for extracting appointments Of snbordi-
nate civil offices from politics which l
thought would be important 20 the coun-
try 20 do; but the President having de-
tcrmincd on n proper person 10 I'LL such an office
as that OF the New-York Custom House. | think we
are bonnd to defer To his wishes If he nominatcs q
man OF character and capacity. The Democratic
party recognizes that the President is charged with
the duty Of seeing that the laws are faithfully exc
cuted. AMI vote for political friend of the Prc-
dent against of their own, even when they are
in a majority IN tho Senate That has been The
practice since the foundation Of the Government. /
whenever there has been majority opposed 10 the
President in politics. and still more should such
Difference be pad to the President by persons of hi-
tempt TO coercc his action 10 make an unconsiitn-
tional demand to control action by 4 single Senator
or the Senators from single State: but 10 is none
the less, in my Judgment misfortune that IL las /
been found necessary 10 interfere with ths civil ser
vice experiments
lie has acted the boy and Is trying 10 bully /
tho Senate. in my opinion bluntly remarked |
Western Senator; and mis- language pretty fairly |
represents the first expressions Of Republican scna-
tors generally regarding Mr. Conkling's conduct.
= Boyish. childish and he has acted like n
spoiled child" wefe the most frequent expresons
heard from Senators Of both parties who were talk
ing about the matter this afternoon.
"What il your opinion :" asked TRIBUNE CORE
spondcnt Of prominent Western Republican sena-
tor this afternoon SWELL" he replied. if this is
the greatest effort OF his life which Mr. Conkng |
has promised ii seems 20 me that il is the greatest
blundcr OF his life. What could he expect 10 gain
by such performance Judge Robertson viii DO
confirmed because Mr. Conklmg even conld never
offer any good reason why hc should not be. think
Mr. Conklings action was insult to the people Of |
the great State Of New York. who sent him here TO !
represent them. He suddcply wthdraws taking |
his colleague with him. and the State will be
wholly unrcprcscnted in the Senate during the next
eight days when important interests Affecting that |
State are 10 be discussed and acted upon And why,'
simply that MI NohkHhR may RIhtiS hh piHo'ui |
and what cannot but consider his petty spite to-
ward Judge Robertson"
In a conversation with TRIBUNE correspondent
this evening, n Republican Senator who has a Ma
tional reputation for COOL sound Judgment, went
the whole ground. giving his views of the mo-
tives which mpeled Mr.. Conkng 10 resign, aud Of |
the effect of that act. Among other things he said
" Your New-York Senators tried TO create great
sensation and scare somebody. but they failed wo-
fully so far Republican Senators are concerned.