The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-05-17
the reasons which, in our judgment, make

|
raj Merritt; another IL the Consul-G General
ship at London. now held by GenreaI Bl.
deau; another Is Charge d'Affsires to Den
mark, held by Mr.. Cramer; another Is the
mission to Switzerland, held by Mr.. Fish, q
son of the former distinguished Secretary
OF State. Mr.. Fish had, in Difference TO an
ancient Ipractice. placed his position
at the disposal OF the new Admin.
istratob, but, like the other persons
named, he was ready 10 remain az
his post II permitted TO do so. All Of these
officers. save only Mr.. Cramer, are citizens
OF New York. IL was proposed TO di.place
| them all, not for any alleged failure or for
any alleged need or advantage OF The public
service, but in order TO give the great Office
OF collector OF the port Of New York to
Mr. william II. Robertson as "reward"
for certain acts OF his. said TO have aided
in making the nomination Of Mr.. Gar.
field possible" The chain Of rewards
thus proposed was broken by General
Badeiu promptly declining to ac-
cept the new place 10 which he
was to be sent. These nominations sum-
mOned every member OF the Senate to
say whether he advised such transaction.
The movement was more than surprise.
We had been told only a few hours before
| that no removals in the New York Offices
were soon TO be made or even considered, and
had been requested to withhold the papers
and suggestions bearing on the subject
which had been sent to Us for presentation,
should occasion arise, until we had notice
from the President OF his readiness to receive
them. Hearing that the Vice. President was
equally surprised and had been equIlly
mised. we went to Mr.. james, Cabinet Of
| NJ nj lOaFnnH
though he had spent some time with the
President on the morning OF the day the
nominations were sent 10, no disclosure OF
any intention 10 send them had been made
| TO him, and that be first knew OF The matter
by hearsav following the event. After
| earnest reflection and consultation we be-
lieved the proceeding unwise and wrong.
whether considered wholly IN relation TO
the preservation and integrity Of the
public service and public example TO
be set, or in relation also to the iuteS-
rity OF the Republican party. No puolic
utterance OF comment or censure was made
by either OF Us in the Senate or elsewhere.
on the contrary we thought that the Presl-
dent would reconsider an action so sudden
ana hasty. and would at least adopt less
hurjful and objectionable modes OF requtt-
Ing personal or individual service. In this
hone the following paper was prepared ana
signed, and presented by Mr. James to the
President. who was subsequently informed
that YOU had authorized your name TO be
added also:
(" TO the President: We beg leave TO re-
mOnslrate against the change IN the c0ltc'
tor,blp at Ne~ York by the removal OF Mr..
Merritt and the appointment OF Mr.. Robert
son. The proposal was wholly a surprise.
We heard OF ii only when several nomina-
lions involved in the plan were announced
in lhe Senate. We had only two days be-
fore had assurances from YOU that change
in the customs Office at New FORK was not
contemplated. aud quite ignorant OF pur-
pose 10 take any action now. We Dld no
opportunity until after the DOminltlon 10
make the suggestions we now present. we
do not believe that the interest OF the pub
lie service will be promoted by removing
the present collector and putting Mr.. Ro
bertSon in his stead. Our opinion Is quite
the reverse. and we believe no political adj
vantage can be gained for either the Re
publicln party or its principles. Believing
that no individual has claims or obligations
which should be liquldated in such mode
we earnestly and respectively ask that thC
nomination OF Mr.. Robertson be with
drawn" [Signedl "Che.ter A. Arthur,
~. G. Plat, Thomas l.. james, Roscoe
COnkIing."
This paper was presented by Mr.. James or
Monday the 10Th day OF March. Knowing
the frequency with which every one Of The
Twenty Presidents OF the republic, anC
markedly the present incumbent, had with
drawn nominations on less serious repre-
sensations. we did not apprehend that such
suggestion would be treated as an Intrusion
or an invasion OF any prer0gatlye oil tue
nominating power. We were disappointed
Immediately the public press, especially IN
article, and dispatches written by those IN
close and constant association with the Pre-
SIdent and with an influential member Of hi.
Cabinet, teemcd with violent denuncia'
tons Of the senators from New York
for "opposing the Administration
and debating" 10 the President.
Persons who visited the Executive MahSion
reported the President as re>enlful and i'm
patient OF hesitation TO "adyise and con-
sent" to what he proposed. We bad
made, we have made, no assault upon any
body: we have at all times refused 10
answer questions by representatives. OF The
press or 10 make complaint or comment, OF
even denial OF many truthful charges pub
li,hcd against Us BY ofiiciOus champions OF
the Administration. Indeed, beyond con-
fidcntia consultations with brother
senator's and officials, we have said
nothing until now on the subject. nor
have we or either OF Us "promoted the
deadlock in the Senate IN order 10 pre-
vent or influence action on any nomination,
nor have we ever so stated. Immediately
aftcrthe nominations were published letters
and kilograms in great numbers came from
every part Of the State, fromills leading cltl'
Zens. protesting against the proposed
changes and cOndemninG them on many
grounds. Several thousand OF the lead
inc mercantile firms OF New York cOnstl'
tuting, we are informed, a majority OF every
branch OF trade, sent Us circumstances
Sixty OF the eighty-one Republican mem
bers of the Assembly, by letter or memorial
made objections. Representatives in Con
gress. State officials, businessmen, prOfes'
sional-men, commercial. industrial, and po'
liical associations are among the remon-
sirants, and they speak from every section
Of the state.
Besides The nominations already referred
10. there were awaiting the action OF the
Senate several citizens OF New York named
for offices connected with the cOurts-diS-
trict attorneys and marshals. These
were all reappointments; most OF them
had been originally commissioned by
Mr. HAYES. They were certified by
Judges OF courts and many other eminent
persons who atiested the faitbfulness and
merit OF their services, and recommended
their continuance. They were not presented
BY Us. We have not attempted to dictate .
nor have asked the nomination OF one per
son to any Oflice in the State. Indeed, Will
the sole exception OF the written request
set forth above, we have5never even eX-
pressed an opinion to The President IN any
case unless questioned IN regard to 1t.
SArnn Inrs 400 the President ali. Ini Is