The daily gazette., 1881-05-31
From the N. Y. Herald.
THE DUTY OF DEMOCRATS.

The effort of the Republican enemies
OF Mr.. Conkling in the Legislature al
Albany to pose as advocates of cIv,Lser-
vice reform is as dishonest as it Is ludl-
crous. All that the half-breeds say
about Mr.. Conkling as q Republican
manipulation OF patronage is quite true.
But it is only by his adroit manipulation
OF patronage that the Republican party
has been kept in power since 1874. New
York was the pivotal State in 1880 in
the contest between Garfield and Han
cock, and Mr.. Conkling won the day for
General Garfield by the very practices
which the Garfield Administration, be-
| ing In power. now processes to condemn.
Garfield pledged himself at the Fifth
Avenue conference to Grant that be
would leave the Federal patronage for
New York In the hands of Senator
Conkling In order that New York might
be kept In the column OF Republican
States. In the canvass of 1850 the Re-
publican party presented no issue of
principle whatever. The Democratic
party went to the country on a distinct
demand for reconciliation between all
sections of the Union. The canvass of
Garfield was essentially dishonest and
scandalons. Not prominent Republl-
can yentured in that canvass to deman i
civil-service reform. Does anybody
question this? Let him ask himself
what all the present uproar at Albany is
about! 1t all comes from the determi-
nation Of the President 10 remove COL
lector Merritt. Why did the President
remove Merritt and nominate Robert
son? On what issue OF principle was
shat change demanded aud made? On
none whatever? There was nothing at
stake in the removal Of Merritt and In
the appointment OF Robertson but
"spoils"! The strength and the only
strength of Mr.. Conkling's contention
resides In the pledge made by General
Garfield TO Grant that he would not take
from the Conkling machine the ssspoilsa
Of New York. General Garfield cove
nanted and agreed with General Grant
that Senator Conkling should continue
to be the Republican aBessp In New
| York. President Garfield has agone
back onf the promise of General Gar.
field. Hence all the Republican woe
Hence all the noise and confusion at Al
banyl What led to the Administration
coalition with Senator Malone but a,
arrangement about the sspoils"? Wha
issue of principle do Mr.. Robertson an
, Mr.. Woodin represent at Albany othe
or better than y represented by ex-Sen
ator Conklinge They are ali "tarre
with the same stick" the stick of th
"spoils"!
Il Deprive the Republican party of pa,
ronage and the spoils, and the Demo
cratic party will instantly come into DO
session Of The Federal Government, Il
simply silly Of the Republicans to reyiJ
Mr.. CoEkling for acting on his conyi
tion Of this great truth IS he has a cite,
unless indeed the Republicans are apgr
with Mr.. Cenkling for defeating Gener,
. Hancock. Did President Garfield wal
: to see General Hancock elected?
When President Garfield nominate
: Mr.. Robertson the WorDs saw as clear
= as 1t now sees that the confirmation ,
n Mr.. Robertson must rend In twain III
Republican party Of New York. IF M
i Robertson's nomination had been reie
n ted the President would doubtless ha,
NJ given up the contest and meekly ,,,rre,
! dered the "spoils" in New York 10 AZ
Conkling, a. he agreed before he W.
= elected TO do.
d The duty Of Democrats amid all III
! Republican uproar is plain and clea
y Let the Republicans manage their inte
= tine scandal and strife as best they ca
i, 9When regues fall out, honest men cor
a TO their own.n New York Is Democrl
! State, and New York is entitled to
= represented by two Democratic Senate
q IN Washington. New York can and W
III be thus represented II the voters Of /
!, State can ever get control Of the appoil
: ment. But suppose the choice OF Sen
d tors cannot be postponed and commit
: to the next Legislature? That ouesti
must mot be answered or even consider
"a until every possible effort has bt en- MAJ
ii and made without success, to secure /
|. postponement. One Democratic Senatt
4 Of course, will be better than two ba
Y breed Senators, but New York N 3
lr titled 70 two Democratic SenatorsI WI
is New Ysrk not TO have themp