Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-05-19
.STALWART DISGUST +!
Senators conkling and Platt
Resign.
Leaving the Democrats in a
Majority!
As Good as a Circus for the Demo.
Gratis!

SENATE CHAMBER, WASHINGTON, ID. c.,
1850 P. MA bumbshell burst in the
Senate soon after it was called to order
this morning, in the shape of the resigna-
tions of Senators Roscoe Conkling and
Thomas 9. Platt, of New York.
The communications were in the usual
form and were addressed to Vice-Presi-
dent Arthur, and announced that the res
ignation had been forwarded to the Gov
ernor of the State of New York and re-
quested having an announcement of the
fact formerly made to the Senate.
This announcement was received by the
Senators present with genuine surprise,
but the Senate immediately proceeded to
the transaction of routine business, and
at 1926 o'clock went into executive ses-
sion.
The absence of Senator Conkling from
the meeting of the Committee on Judi
ciary this morning, was the first intima-
tion of any trouble brewing, but there
was no time for conjecture before the
announcement of his resignation was
made.
This coup d. etdt is said now to be what
was presaged in the Senator's famous
speech reported by the National Asso-
clated Press, in the caucus, a few days
ago. 1t is also believed a ''stalwart"
method of expressing disgust at the poll
CIV of the President in ignoring the Sena-
tors from State in filing the most i'm
portant offices of any State.
This section leaves the Democrats in
the majority in the Senate, but it is ex-
pected that no advantage will be taken
of that circumstance The Senate is now
in Executive session, hence no expression
of official opinion can be obtained.
WASHINGTON, D. c., May 16.-The
galleries were well filed and the Senate
was nearly full when the designations of
Conkling and Platt were announced.
Immediately after the reading of the
Journal, the Vice President said: II have
the honor of laying the following com.
munications before the Senate. The
Clerk then read as follows:
WASHINGTON, May 16.-Sir: Will you
please announce to the Senate that my
resignation as Senator of the. United
States, from the State of New York, has
been forwarded to the Governor of that
State. | have the honor to be with great
respect your obedient servant.
Roscoe CoNKLING.
To Chester A. Arthur, Vice-President:
SIR:-I have forwarded to the Cover
nor of the State of New York my .resig-
nation as Senator of the United States
from the State of New York. Will you
please announce the fact to the Senate.
With great respect,
Your obedient servant,
T. @. PLATT.
To add to the sensation of the moment,
q rumor gained circulation that the Vice
President had also resigned, but this was
speedily quashed, that official occupying
the chair at the time.
Neither Senator Conkling or Platt have
been seen at the Capitol to-day, and are
not now at their residence.
Senator Malone is also absent from the
Senate.
The Democrats hail the fiasco with de-
light, not so much since it leaves them a
temporary majority as that it seems to
pressage an inevitable split in the opposi-
ton. What will be done in the Senate
now can only be conjectured.
In the Executive Session uncontested
nominations are being considered at
present, no report having been made
either on Chandler or Robertson.
| Senator Pendleton stated just now that
he hardly thought the Senate would want
to finish up the business of the session
without full body, and that delay might
be made by Republicans themselves until
action had been taken by the New York
Legislature.
Senator johnson, (Va., said he thought
the Republicans would try to rush Rob-
ertson and Chandler through and adjourn.
Reports on these could be forced by dis
position OF all other business and then
action could be taken at once.
Senator Williams (Ky..) thought il
looked like transferring the fight to New
York. That the country might recog.
nize the Conllling strength at home, if ii
was not just now apparent abroad.
Senator Kellogg supposed Conkling has
taken this method OF appealing to his
people, and thought it not improbable
that the New York Legislature, being
Conklinian, would sustain him and his
colleague by returning both.
Senator McMillen said it was not com
plete surprise to all the Senators on the
Republican side-from which remark ano
other intimations, it is gathered that this
result was foreshadowed by Conkling's
caucus speech, although it was hardly
thought the drop would soon fall so soon
At 1:45 p. m. the Senate adjourned, land
the Republicans went into caucus imme
diately.
WHAT THE PRESS SAYS.
NEW YORK, May 16.-The Post com
ments as follows on the resignation OF
Platt and Conkling: "They have re-
signed in pet, because they have not
been allowed to have their way. The act
is contemplate in its childishness. II
their object is to revenge themselves up
on the President and Republican party
not only is the proceeding undignified and
unmanly, but it is not clear how it can be
ffeectual; if they are seeking an endorse
ment of their conduct by means of re-
election, the experiment is dangerous
one to make with a Legislature that, 8
little while ago, unanimously approved
the nomination of Robertson. Perhaps
after all, the simplest explanation is the
true one. Perhaps Conkling and Plat
have concluded that il the Senate is any
thing more than san instrument for the
distribution of patronage, their occupa
tion is gone, they can do the state nc