The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-05-26

& LOC. faul GLOBE.
The incident has caused sensation. It is
OF itself sensation, for it is the first time in
the history of our country that a senator has
so hagrantly defed the authority of the ex-
ecntive-has thrown down the gauntlet of bat
tie IN the face of the President of the United
States The cause of the act scarcely needs
mention, for the public is familiar with it.
President Garfield saw fit to use his own dis
cretion as to the appointment of the collector
of the port Of New York. His selection did
not suit Mr.. Conkling. He endeavored to de-
feat the confirmation of Mr.. Robertson, and
at the same time secure the confirmation of
his own favOrites. He was anticipated, how
ever, by the President, who withdrew all New
York nominations save that of Mr.. Robertson,
and, in effect, informed the Senate and MI.
Conkling that that nomination must be con-
There seems to be little ground for believing
that Garfield is more concerned Tor the har-
mony of the party than he is for his own dig
nifty. he will allow the party to 20 to the
dogs before he will withdraw the name of
Mr.. Robertson at Conkhng's dictation He
does not regard the party as being carried in
Mr: Conkling's pocket, and will risk whatever
OF disaster may spring from his attempt to de-
strOy the executive and to build up the cause
OF senatorial dictation.
louisville Courier-Journal.]
American politics, with all it's humbugging
has rarely, if ever, produced more transpar
ent sham than that which Messrs. Conkling
Senate and the people. The proceedings of
the extra session have been funny enough for
s comic opera, but the dullest fall dull farces
could hardly survive this stupid piece of cheap
Johnnery that Mr.. Conkling with his theatre
cal interest should SO miscalculate the public
as characterized, but Don Quixote had his
Sanco PanZa. Platt can be excused nothing
w o1 howl
sense. When Robertson was nominated col
lector of the port of New York, the state legis-
Iature, of which he is q member, made haste
to indorse HIM. Mr.. Conkling endeavored
Intellectually to have that endorsement rescind-
ed and reversed. This, however, was too bold
defiance of decency even for partisan body
OF which Conkling is the boss.
Milwaukee Sentinel.
The country is treated to political sensa-
ton of the first magnitude in the simultane-
GUS resignation of their office by Senator's
COnkling and Platt. There is no room for
doubt as to the result. The present legisla.
ture was elected last fall, and the question
whether the Senatorship that it must fill
should go to a Conkling or an anti-Conkling
man was made direct issue in the Republican
causus. The Conkllng party won, and Platt,
SO pronounced supporter of Conkling that
he was sometimes dubbed Conkling's man,
was nominated on the first ballot in the Re-
publican caucus at Albany. The consequent
endorsement of Robertson, a bitter anti Conk-
ling man, by the same legislature, was sort
of snap judgement. There has never been any
reason to doubt that clear majority of the
legislature remained as they were elected
Conkling's men. It is therefore to be regret
ted that Conkling and Platt will both be
reelected. They would hardly have resigned
unless they felt entire confidence in such a re-
suit, and though politics is VIGOROUSLY a
risky game, they appear sure to win. The
really hopeful feature of the affair is that
Conkling, in his manifesto, comes out as the
champion of the civil service reform.
National Republican, Washington
The republican senator's have almost as one
man regretted, and most of them urged, the
withdrawal of the nomination of Robertson
They have been met with the arrogance and
obstinacy of weak man adhering to wrong
act. The senators from New York have-done
well to resist the executive mandate and to
return their commissions to the power that
bestowed them. Next week their places will
be filled. The result will not depress the
friends of stalwart republicanism, nor elate
the occupant Of the White House.
New York Post.
They have resigned in pet because they
have not been allowed to have their own way.
The act is contemplate in it's childishness.
It their object is to revenge themselves upon
y,
proceeding is undignified and unmanly, and
nothing in political life has become them SO
much as their leaving it.
New York Herald
4 Journalists who argued in favor of indie
pendence of senator's when Schurz and Sum-
ner opposed President Grants nominations
exhaust invective upon Conklng when he re-
sents insult. Conkllng has q right which
every member is bound to respect. He is an
nj md flor in no e
republican party than the president. He is
royal republican. His career is distinguished
by eloquence, sincerity, purity, chivalric
sense of honor and answering devOtlons to
the principles of party. To him more than
to any other leader does Mr.. Garfield owe his
election. If Garfield proposes to carry on the
policy of ostracism and revenge, he must
make up his mind to the ruin Of the admins
tration, ruin of his own career and of the re-
publican party. If he has the courage of
Jackson, the wisdom of Lincoln, the veracity
OF Grant, he may even now rescue himself.
10 do this, however, he must resolve upon
policy as bold and sincere as that of our high
spirited senator. He should at once ask Mr..
Blaine TO retire flom the cabinet. Conkling
resigns from the Senate in the interests Of
peace. Let Blaine retire from the state depart
ment. he is not suited to the office.
New York Tribune.J
There is certainly not statesman in America
who excels our own Senator in getting up
quarrels without cause, and some of them
without dignity. He has kept the country in
a hubbub and the Senate in a state of nervous
agitation fer nearly two months because an
excellent gentleman, who was opposed to
third term for Gen. Grant, was nominated for
Collector of the port of New York. Neither
he nor any of his friends ever made the slight
est imputation against the ability, integrity
or high personal character of Judge Robertson,
and the sole objection to him is that President
Garfield didnot profusely ask Mr.. Conkling's
permission to nominate him. Upon this pre-
text the Senator declared war on the President
New York Commercial.
The two Republican representatives of the
state, whose electoral vote gave Garfield the
Presidency, are compelled, in self-respect and
out of regard for the honor and dignity of
their state, to leave the two seats of New York
in the United States Senate vacant. The intel
ligence falls with crushing weight upon the
heads of the Republicans OF New York, who
admire Conkling for his purity, fidelity and
commanding ability. It will shock Republic
ans all over the United States. Conkling's
motives are doubtless for the good Of his
party, and the reason he has assigned to him
self for his course will no doubt satisfy his
friends.
cleveland Herald.
The interests of harmony and the public
welfare demand Conklng's retirement to pr;
vate life. He is the embodiment Of every evil
principle in politics which underlies the cor
ruption which civil service reform aims to de-