Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-05-17
diyidual has claims or obligations
which should be liqu:dated IN
such a mode, we earnestly and respect
fully ask that the nomination oil MI.
Robertson be withdrawn.
ISiyned. l CHESTER A. ARTHUR,
TIC. PLATT,
THos. l.. JAMES,
RosCoE CoNKLISG.

d..
TIC. PLAT,
THos. l.. JAMES,
RosCok CoNKLISG.
This paper was presented to the Pres
ident by Mr.. James, on Monday, the
2sth day Of March. "
knowing the frequency with which
every one of the twenty Presidents oil
the Republic, and markedly the present
incumbent, had Withdrawn nominations
on less serious representations We did
not apprehand that such suggestion
would be treated As an intrusion or In
vasion OF any prerogative oil the nomi-
mating power. We were disappointed.
Immediately the public press, especial
ly in articles and dispatches written Dy
those in close and constant association
With the President and with the inttu-
ential member OF his cabinet, teemed
with
| Violent Dununciations OF the Senators
| From New York
for "opposing the Administration and
"dictating to the President. Persons
who visited the Executive mansion re,
| ported the President as resenttul anu
| impatient of hesitation to "advise and
consent" to what he proposed. We
had made no assault upon anybody.
We have at all times refused to answer
questions by representatives Oi the
press. or TO make complaint or comment
| or even denial of many truthless charges
published against US by otficlous
| champions OF "The Administration"
| Indeed, beyond confidential consulta-
tions with brother Senators and officials
We have said nothing till now on the
subject, nor have We or either oi us
Promoted the Deadlock in the Senate
in order TO prevent or influence the
| action OF any nomination, nor have we
so stated. Immediately after the nomi-
nations were published letters and tele>
grams in great number came from every
part of the State from leading citizens
protesting against the proposed changes,
aud condemning them on many
| grounds. Several thousands OF leading
mercantile firms OF New York, constitut-
ing, we are informed "A majority OF every
branch of trade, sent us remonstrances;
sixty out OF the eighty.one Republican
members OF the Assembly, by letter or
memorial, made objections; representa-
tiveS in Congress, State ofl-
cials, business men, proteS'
sional men, commercial, industrial
AMI political organizations. are among
the remonstrants, and they speaking
from every section of the State. Be-
sides the nominations already referred
to. there were awaiting the action OF the
Senate several citizens Of New York
named for offices connected with the
courts, district attorneys and marshaIs.
These were all reappointments. Most
of them had been originally commits
stoned by Mr.. Hayes They were certi-
fled by the judges OF the courts and
many other emineAt persons, who at
tested the faithfulness and merit oi their
service, and recommended their contin-
uance. They were not presented by us.
We have not attempted to dictate, nor
have we asked, the nomination OF one
person to any office in the State. In
deed, with the sole exception OF the
written request set forth above, We have
never expressed an opinion to the Pres'
idept in any other case, unless question
| ed in regard to it. Some days ago the
President abruptly withdrew IN one and
| the same act the names OF General
Woodford and Mr.. Tenney, and OF two
Marshals. This unprecedented pro-
ceeding, whether permissible by law or
not. was gravely significant. The Pres
| ident had nominated these officers after
they had been weighed in the balance.
Their official records were before him
and had been fully scrutinized and APP
proved. Ii must be presumed he
thought the nominations fit to be made,
and it was his duty to make them.
There is no allegation that he discover
ed any unfitness in them afterwards.
| Ii could hardly be that he had discover
ed untitness in all OF them alike. What
| then was the meaning and purpose oi
| this peremptory step? 1t was imme.
diately stated, as ii by authority, and
seems to be admitted that the purpose
| was to coerce the Senate or Senators to
vote as they would not vote if left free
| from Executive interference. The tie
sign was to control the action OF the
| Senators touching matters committed by
| the Constitution TO the Senate and TO
the Senate exclusively. 1t has been
| suggested, in addition, that by recalling
| these nominations and holding them III
| his own hands, the President might, in
| the event of failure OF another nomina-
ton, use them TO compensate that fall
| ure. 1t il can be supposed that all these
public trusts are to be or would in any
event be made personal perquisites, to
be handled and disposed OF not only to
punish independence OF Senatorial votes
and actions. but to liquidste the person
al obligations of any individual, how
ever high in station, the conditions are
utterly vicious and degrading, and their
acceptance would compel the represen-
tatiyes OF the States to fling down their
oath and representative duty at the
foo,stool OF Executive power.
Following this
Sweeping and Startling
| Executive act came ominous avowais
| that dissent or failure to "advlse and
consent would be held an act OF otfense,
exposing all Senators from whatever
State to Executive displeasure. Thus
We find ourselves confronted by the
question whether we shall surrender the
Plain Right and Sworn Duty
of Senators by consenting to what We
believe TO be vicious and hurtful, or be
assigned position OF disloyalty to the
administration which We helped to
bring in and the success OF which We
earnestly wish for every reason and
motive which can enter into the case.
We know no theory avowed by any par
ty which requires such submission as is
now exacted. Although party service
may be fairly considered in making the
selections of public officers it can hardly
be maintained that the Senate is bound
to rem I'VE without cause Incumbents
merely to make places ior those whom
any individual, even the President or
member OF his cabinet wishes to repay
for being recresnt to others or seryicea-
BILE to him.
Only about two years ago the Senate
was advised that General Merritt be ao-
pointed Collector at New York. 1t Is
understood that among the Senators
who so advised was Mr., Window
new Secretary of the Treasury and head
of the department, whose subordinate
General Merritt is. Another Senator
known to have given this advice was
Mr.. Kirkwood, now Secretary OF the In
terror. 1t is said that, like the Post
master from our own State. these Cabi-
1 tal. nj RnnSln-