The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-05-12
The President and Senator coukllng.

men of the age, Republican of proud and
distinguished record, and commands the re-
spect and admiration of the country. The
President is not less distinguished as a
statesmen, and in equal degree, to say the
least, enjoys the confidence, the esteem and
even homage of the American people. His
history has brought him near to them, and
he has their sympathy to as greatan extent
as any American living. 1t was hoped
that the enlargement which existed be-
tween the Senator from New York and
President Hayes, would not be repeated
with the present administration, and that
harmony and kindly feeling would prevail
between the representative men of the Re-
publican party. The unfortunate schisms
in the Republican party of New York, it
was believed, would be in some degree
arrested land that by the proper recognition
of each faction an open hostile outbreak be
prevented 1t is very evident that this was
the aim and hope OF the President. mas
much as the friends of Senator Conkling
were nominated for office in proportion OF
about nine to one of the opposing faction.
In recognizing the opposing, or what is
known as the Independent element among
sonable that a representative man OF that
faction should be chosen, and in compli-
ance with this policy, State Senator Robert
son was designated for Collector of Gus
| toms of New York. The nomination was
very kindly received by the Republicans OF
the Empire State, as was evidenced
| by the passage of resolution by
the Republicans of the Legislature OF
that State commencing the selection and
expressing qualification at the recognition
of Mr.. Robertson. Mr.. Robertson, however,
did not belong to the faction of which Sem
ator Conkling was the acknowledged leader
He was delegate to the Chicago Conven-
tioI and refused to obey the instructions OF
the State Convention. which had passed
resolutions declaring for Gen. Grant, but
lead revolt in the delegation OF that State
for Mr.. Blaine. This diversion, and SINH
lar one in the Pennsylvania delegation, de-
feated the nomination of Gen. Grant, and
finally resulted in the choice of Gen. Gar
field. During the campaign for the Presi-
dency. each of the New York factions
entered with enthusiasm and by their united
efforts, gave the electoral vote OF New York
to the Chicago nominees and thus secured
the triumph of the Republican party. One
of the factions of the party was as essen
tial as the other. Without cordial cooper
alton for common end. and the suppress
sion of all discomfort, New York could net
have been carried, and Gen. Garfield would
not have been elected. 1t seemed therefore
right and proper-although both of the New
| York Senators were friends of Gen. Grant
and supported him in the Chicago COnven-
ton, that both of the factions should be
recognized, and each eq ually prominently.
The Post Master General and the Post
Master at New York are friends of Sena-
tor Conkling: two district attorneys and
two marshals, with other prominen posi-
tions, including the office of Sc cond Assis-
tant Post Master General, were rendered to
| friends of Senator Conkling, and the only
appointment assigned to the opposing wing
of the party in New York, was that OF
Judge Robertson to be Collector of Customs
| at New York. His was one out of over two
hundred names sent to the Senate for va
rious offices, and the only one the President
had regarded as personal to himself After
the disposition manifested in other ap-
pointments to deal fairly with each element
of the party, it was deemed but reasonable
to expect that no open war would be made
upon the appointment of Judge Robertson.
Such was not the result. The announce
ment of his appointment was followed by
a declaration of hostility to its cOntirma-
ton, and one step of enlargement follow
+ ing another, the antag0nism eliminated last
Thursday in the President withdrawing the
names of the friends of Senator COnkling
that had been sent to the Senate for confir-
nation. This was regarded as necessary
by the action of the caucns OF Republican
Senators, in which it was resolved to go
into executive session for the purpose Of
acting upon uncontested nominatiOns-the
contested ones to be laid over. This policy
would have secured the confirmation Of all
the friends of Senator Conkling. and left
suspended that of Judge Robertson, with
! the probability of the Senate adiOurning be-
| fore action on it could be taken. This con-
structiOn of the action of the caucus the
| President believed to be unjust to the ad-
ministration and a virtual veto of his APP
pointment prerogative. He therefore de-
termined to place all the New York ap-
pointments on the same footing, and con-
sequently withdrew the names of the friends
of Senator Conkling, until the nomination OF
Mr.. Robertson shall have been disposed of.
1t does not follow that the withdrawn
names will not be sent in again. 1t is pre-
sumed they will be, at least those of them
against whom no other than political rea-
sons can be urged. IL was no purpose of
the President, as we understand it, to make
war upon Senator Conkling or his friends,
but SIMPLY to vindicate the dignity of the
administration and assert Presidential pre-
rOgative.
AS bearing upon this subject, the follow
ing paragraph is taken from the Washing
ton correspondent of the New York Tribune
of the 18th
"a senator, who was OF the number which
called upon the President last evening, thus
describes the interview The President lis
tened TO Us. and then made the speech
which he had made Ia several Of rs before.
He arose IRON his chair. walked about the
room. became very earnest, gave emphasis
to his speech by striking the table, and in
sisted with emphasis that he had not sought
quarrel with Conkling, and did not now
seek it, He simply wished his Administra-
ton to be treated at least with respect. He
said that, in his opinion, Conkling had
planned to act upon the nomination of his
own friends and then force final adjourn |
ment, leaving the nomination of Robert
son in his own committee to smother until |
December. The decision of the Republic
can Caucus Committee had given COnkling |
this power, he said. Such an action, the |
President claimed, would not be just to |
him, and he had determined to use all of |
his efforts to secure some action on Robert |
sons case. He did not intend this as an af- |
front to Mr.. Conkling, and he desired har- |
mony as much as anybody could desire it, |
but this step was necessary as means to
secure justice to the Administration"
A letter from the same place and to the