Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-05-10
THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

The Republican journals are very
busy Just now, taking the bearings OF
the political situation.
They appear to realize with great
unanimity the one fact, at least, that
this little family iracas is progressing
with as much spirit as the most unchar-
liable Democrat could desire.
The New York Republican papers
shos a rather decided leaning towards
their Senator CoNKLISG, and this dispo.
sition is most pronounced in the Hero'd.
The Times holds the scales more evenly,
but suggests that Mr.. GARFIELD's recent
action indicates purpose merely to
start an opposition machine. 1t saws:
In a contest between Mr.. Garfield and
Mr.. Conkling, in which both shall use
the same or like weapons, and seek sim
liar ends, in which both shall, in short,
act the part OF politicians OF the baser
sort, the country will take very little in
terest, indeed. 1t will only feel that the
highest functions OF the Government in
the White House and in the Senate are
being perverted to very base aud dis
creditable use.
The Washington National Republican,
whose utterances are regarded as semi
official by the anti-administration
faction, does not mince matters
in dealing with the difficulty be-
tween GARFIELD and CoSKLING. 1t
quotes from the New York Tribune
dispatch relating to GARFIELD's motives
in withdrawing part Of the New York
nominations, as follows:
From the outset he has been deter
mined to give conspicuous recognition
to that element OF the Republican party
in New York OF which Judge Robertson
is the formest representative. Having
given ample assurances, by first nomi-
Mating several Conkling men TO impor-
tant positions, that he bore no ILL
will to the Senator, he named Judge
Robertson as the tittest and most con-
spicuous recognition OF the lndepend-
ent Republicans. He withdraws the
nominations OF Mr.. Conkling's friends,
not as is asserted by Mr.. Conkling and
his supporters tonight, as an act OF OF.
Tense against that Senator, but simply
so that, in case of the rejection OF Mr..
Robertson or the failure oil the Senate 10
take any action whatever, he may have
the other important vacancies in the
State of New York with which to give
needed recognition to the element which
made his own nomination and election
possible.
The Republican characteristics this act
OF the President as "a weak, illtempered
and petulent act," which has not been
supplemented, as some hoped be done,
by any gracious act OF compensation,
such as the withdrawal OF the name OF
RoBERTsoS would be.
II states that 1.-THE Vice President and
Mr.. rLAIT, with authority to speak for
Mr.. CoNEIISG, respectfully and kindly
urged the withdrawal Of al the New
York nominations on Thursday morn
ing, with the understanding that the
present incumbent should serve until
next December. The response was an
ironical inquiry as to how they would
like to have all except ROBERTSON with
drawn. To this they Of course demurred,
and were not notified that il would be
done. But message announcing such
action reached the Capitol abreast
with them. The Senators were
all amazed. The Republican Sena-
tors had, at the Presidents urgent
desire, suspended the contest over the
Senate Offices and proceeded with execu-
tive business. They chose to consider
first only such nominations as were not
contested by Senators from the State
concerned. There was no decision that
this LIT should continue. 1t was left for
a future caucus to determine the further
order OF business. This is deemed often
sive by the President, and he administers
his rebuke to the Republican caucus and
its committee by withdrawing the unob-
jacted cases from New York. He is to
coLfirm, or he will not nominate. "If
you will not confirm when I command,
then will withdraw nominations be-
cause they are agreeable TO you" Such
is the language oi his act. From the
date of the nomination OF RosERTsoN on
the 23rd Of March until the present
hour there is probably not a Senator of
whatever political faith who has not
been made by the President to feel that
upon his vote on the RoBKRrsox nomi.
nation must DEPEND the favor with
which his recommendations for office
will be viewed.
This the Republican, styles a fragrant
attempt at executive usurpstion OF the
constitutional functions of the Senate
which has not beer surpassed since the
effort OF BUCHANAN to dragon Senators
on his Lecompton policy, and the
desperate struggle OF ANDREW JOHNSON
against impeachment
''lf this unseemly invasion of the
Senate by executive power" says the
Republican, "was on question of some
public consequence its importance
might impart some dignity to the pres.