New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-05-17

not vote If left free from Executive interference
The design was to control the action OF senators
To the Senate and to the Senate exclusively III mas
been suggested in addition that by recalling these
hSnds Ss aPT h9fs sg them in the ms
OF the failure of another nomination.; use
them to compensate that failure. II II
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 yqteS
and action, but to liquidate the personal oblga-
tions of any individual however high ia station;
the conditions utterly vicious and degrading, ana
their acceptance would compel the representatives.
Of States to fling down their oath and representa-
tive duty. at the footstool of executive power.
-, Following this sweeping and startling execu,
tive act came ominous avowals that dissent
or failure to advise and consent" would
be held an act of offence, exposing all
Senators from whatever state to ExoeuiiSe M fs tbs
question whether we shall surrender the PLAIN rght
and the sworn duty of Senators by consenting to
or be assigned the, position of disloyalty
to the Administration which we helped to bring IN
and the success of which we earnestly wish
enter into the case We know no theory
avSwed by any party which requires i,h6mSh snch
party service may be fairly considered in making
selections of public officers, il can hardly be main
tanned that the Senate is bound to remove without
cause incumbents merely TO make places So those
whom any individual, even the President or mem.
Der of his Cabinet wishes 10 repay for being recreant
TO Others or scrviceable 10 him.
Only about two years ago the Senate advised that
General Merritt be appointed Collector at New
York. IL is understood that among the senators
who SO advised was Mr. Window, now Secretary OF
the Treasury and head of the Department whose
subordinate General Merritt is. Another Senator
known TO have given this advice was Mr.. kirkw0od,
now Secretary Of the Interior. IL is said that
like the Postmaster-Genera from our own state
these Cabinet officers not taken into consula-
tlon touching the removal of General Merritt, but
their sworn and official action as Senator's IS none
the less instructive. That the Secretary OF the
Treasury and the late Administration mp 10 It's eNpi-
Merritt rs an oficer is well known, and it is no
where suggested that any citizen had petioned Tor
his removal or that official delinquency on his part
is the OF it. In the place oi experienced
officer in the midst Of his term fixed by law, II ~
proposed TO put man who has had no training for
the position and who cannot be said 10 have any
special fitness for ITS official duties In the naiI-
gural OF President Garfield, delivered on the ith OF
March, stand these wOrds
The Civil Service can never be placed satisfactory
basis until IL s regulated by law-Or the good Of the
service itsef for the protection o. those VINO ate
waste of time and Obstruction to the public business
caused by the OrdDnte for place and Tor the
protection OF incunbents against intrigue and wrong
shall at the proper time Congress to fix the tenure
OF the minor Offices Of the several executive depart
shall be made during the term for which incuInbenIS
have been appointed
How good the distinction is which would make
major offices q prey 20 intrigue" and wrong. and
shield" minos offices from like havoc and whether
the collectorshps Of the country should belong to
the exposed to the protected class need not be de-
cded herc Assuming General Merritt 10 be an officer
of ofaverage fitness and honesty II might be REASONABLY
argued that all Senators should with alacrty advise
his displacement 10y man OF obvious superiority
possihly il might be said that all should advise the
selection In General Merritts place of man VINO,
without superior fitness, had rendered his country,
or even his party, conspicuous and exalted service.
MR. ROBERTSON ATTACKED.
The case In hand does not belong 10 either Of
these classes. The vocation Of Mr. Robertson and
his legislative and professional experiences and
roundings do not denote superiority in the quail
ties. the knowledge, business habits and
familiarity with the revenue laws and
system OF the United States which might make HIM
more competent than General Merritt to collect tho
vast revenues and administer the vast business per-
tanning 20 the Port of New-lork. Certainly he can
not in this respect be held exception 10 the rules
of right and consistency on which the
Constitution and laws have placed the pnblic
service. We know ofno personal or political service
rendered by Mr. Robertson 40 transcendcnt that the
Collectorshp Of New-York should be taken in the
midst of term and given 10 him az recompcnse.
TRIBUNE to have declared that his nomi-
nation was reward" reward" for action
Robertson i'll his action was influenced ny sense OF
duty if he voted and acted his honest convictions il
is difficult to sec hat claim he has Tor any reward,
not TO speak of such great reward.
The action of which an estimate Is thus IN
yted is understood TO be this Mr. Robertson and
sixty-ninc other men accepted from state COnyen
zion certain trust. They sought and accepted the
nositon of agents or delegates 10 the National Con-
vention. The State Convention declared plainly
stated Judgment and policy 10 be observed
and supported by those IT commissioned.
TO this declaration all selected as dele
gates gave implied consent. But several OF
them in addition, made most specific personal
pledges and engagements to exert themselves IN
good faith throughout TO secure the nomination OF
General Grant. They made tins pledge rs the
means Of obtaining their own appointment as
delegates and they did, 9s we both personally
know, obtain their seats in the National Convention
lafs
eaInestness and fidelity. The oblig1ton thus as |
sumed We understood To- INVOLVE int nity, as much
the obligation Of ono who receives the proxy OF
a stakeholder iii "A corporation upon inc /
pledge and promise TO vote as his pr.n- |
cipal would vote. Whether Mr. Robertson was or |
was not himself bound not only by hOuor, but by |
exprcssy giving his word, becomes quite nnma- |
terial in view OF the cla II made for him. Il Is
insisted that ne "oIga9izel the bolt" " or Or
tho leader Of the bolt" Ims Is |
to say that he invited, persuaded. induced others
tanned their seats by doing 80, to violate
their word and betray not only the Re |
publicans assembled IN the State Convention |
bat the Republicans of their districts rs well. who /
had trusted i'll their honor Whoever counsels |
aud procqTcs another to do a dishonest or |
dishonorable act must share with that other |
the guilt and should share also the odium justly at
tachng to it. We are therefore wholly unable, |
upon whatever ground we put it, to see justification
public trusts which belong TO the PIC to requite
such service in such modes.
SENATORIAL RESPONSIBILITIES.
But the appliances employed To effect results set |
up new standards of responsibility and invade as |
we believe, the truths and principles on which the
separate and coordinate branches of the Government
stand. Senator has his own responsibility. He |
ia anenabc to his State and to the body Of which ho
is a member. He is bound by his Oatn To advise and
consent on his conscience and Judgment before God |
Whatever or whoever else may cOnstr1in him, he Is
to bc exempt from Executive menace or disfayor |
or the hand and executive ildnceIDtnt on the |
other Long standing on the orers.of the House |
1oc fiouf n a m