American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1881-05-28
SENATOR'S CONKLING AND PLATE.

| states Senators, In Which They Give Their
Reasons for KesiEnins aud Their Version
of the Differences Between Them and the
Administration mt Washington.
AN Albany On. " telegram of the
10th gives the joint letter of resignation
sent to Governor Cornell by United
States Senators Conk ling and Platt, and
| which we publish in iull as a matter of
general public interest, giving, rs it
does, ''their side of the story:
WASHINGTON, d. c., May II. 1881.
SIR: Transmitting as we do our resigna-
lions, respectively, of the great trusts with
which New York has honored us, it is fit that
we acquaint you, and through you the Legis-
lature and people of the State of the reasons
which, in our jud ymcnts, make such step
respectful and necessary. Some weeks ago
the President sent to the Senate in n group
| the nominations of several persons for public
offices already Ilted. One of these Offices Is
the Collectorship of the Port of New York,
now held by General Merritt. Another is the
Consul Generalship at London, now held by
General Badeau. Another is Charge d Anairos
to Denmark, held by Mr.. Cramer. An
other is the Mission to Switzerland, hold
by Mr.. Fish, son of the formor distin-
guishcd Secretary of State Mr.. Fish
has, in Difference to an ancient practice,
placed his position at the disposal of the now
Administration, but. like the other persons
named he was ready to remain at his post, if
permitted to do so. All these officials save
only Mr.. Cramer) are citizens of New York.
1t was proposed to displace them all, not for
any alleged faults, or for any alleged need CT
advantage of the public service, but in ordsr
to give the great office of Collector of tho Port
of New York to Mr.. William II. Robertson
reward" for certain acts of his said to
have aided in making the nomination Of
General Garfield possible.
The chain of removals thus proposed was
m Radeau uccllu-
ing to accept the new place to which he was to
be sent. These nominations summoned every
member Of the Senate to say whether he ''ad-
vised' such a transaction. The movement was
more than a surprise. We had been told only
q few hours before that no removals in New
York offices were soon to be made or even
considered. and had been requested to with
hold the papers and suggestions bearing on
the subject which had been sent to us for pro-
sentation should occasion arise until VIC had
notice from the President of his readiness to
receive them.
Learning that the Vice-President was equal
ly surprised, and had been equally mised we
went TO MIR. James, the Cabinet officer from
our State, and learned that, though ho had
spent some time with the President on the
morning of the day the nominations were sent
in, no disclosure of an intention to send them
had been made to him, and that he first knew
of the matter by hearsay following the event.
After earnest reflection and consultation we be-
lieved the proceeding unwi5c and wrong, wheth-
er cons dered wholly in relation to the preser
walton and integrity of the public service and
the public example to be set, or in relation
also to the integrity of the Republican party.
No public utterance of comment or censure
was made by either of us in the Senate else
where. On the contrary. we thought that the
President woald reconsider an action SO
sudden and hasty, and would at least adopt
less hurtful and Objectionable modes of re .uit-
hope the following paper was 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 remon
New York by the removal OF Mr.. Merritt and
the appointment of Mr.. Robertson. Tho pro-
posal was wholly A surpr Sc. We heard of it
only when the several nominations involved in
a plan were announced in the Senate. We had
YOU that a change in the Customs Office at
New York was not contemplated, and, quite |
We had no opportunity until after the nomina-
ons to make the suggestions we now pre- |
sent. We do not belieI c that the interests of
the public service will he promoted by re- |
moving the present Collector and putting Mr.. |
Robertson in his stead. Our opinion Is quite |
vantage can he gained for either the Repub- |
lican party or its principles. Relieving that |
should be liqui lated in such a mode, we |
earnestly and respectfully ask that the |
nom iIad Of Mr.. robertson 30 withdrawn.
THOMAS L. JAMES,
T. C. PLATT,
ROSCOE CONKLING."
This paper was presented TO the President |
by Mr.. James on Monday, the 18th day of |
March. Knowing the frequency with which |
every one of the twenty Presidents of the Re-
public, and markedly the present incumbent. |
had Withdrawn their nominations less |
serious representations, we did not apprehend
that such a suggestion would be treated as an |
intrusion or an invasion of any prcrogative of |
the nominating power. We were disappoint-
ed. Immediately the public press Especially
In articles and dispatches written by those in
close and constant association with the Presi-
dent and with an influential member of his
Cabinet) teemcd with violent denunciat ions of
the Senators from New York for ''opposing
the Administration and "dictating'' to the
President. Perso ms who visited the Executive
Mansion reported the President as resentful
and impatient of the hesitation of the Senate
to advise and consent" to what he
proposed. We ave made no assault upon
anybody. We have at all times refused to
answer questions by representatives, of the
press, or to make complaint, or comment. or
even denial of the many truthlcss charges
published against us by oflicious champions of
the Administration. Indeed, beyond confiden-
tial consultations with brother Senators and
officials, VIC have said nothing until now upon
the subject, nor have we or either of us promot-
ed a deadlock in the Senate in order to prevent
or influence action upon any nomination. Nor
have stated. linn ediatcly after
the nominations were published letters and
kilograms in great numbers came from every
part of the state from its leading citizens pro-
testing against the proposed changes and
condemning them on many grounds.
Several thousands of the leading mercantile
firms of New York, constituting, we are in
formed, majority of every branch of trade,
sent us remonst ances. Sixty of eiRhty-one
members of the Assembly, by let
ter memorial, made objection. Repre-
in Congress, State officials, business
men, professional men, co numerical, industri-
al and political organizations are among the
and they speak from every Sec
ton of the State. Besides the nominations
already referred to there were awaiting the
action of the Senate several citizens of New
York, named for Offices connected with courts,
District Attorneys, and Marshals. These
were all re lppointm cnts Most of them had
been originally commissioned by Mr. Hayes.
They cert titled by Judges of Courts,
and many other eminent persons, who attest
ed the faithfulnes5 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 ore person
10 any Office In the State. Indeed, with the
sole exception of the written request set forth
above, We have never even expressed an opin- ,
ion to the President in any ease unless qucs-
toned in regard to it. Some days ago the {
President abruptly withdrew, in one and the | l
.ame act, the names of General Woodford and .
Mr.. Tenney, and of the two Marshas. This /
proceeding. whether permissi-
Die by law or not, was gravcly significant. The !
President had nominated these officers after !