Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-04-01

In the makeup of his cabinet President
Garfield gave most distinct notice TO The
country that hc intended 10 recognize all the
branches of the Republican party. Never
theless when, on Tuesday, several OF Mr.
Conklipg's friends received appointments to
offices, agood many people and papers jump
ed TO the conclusion that the President had
joined the Conkling wing of the party in the
Empire State, and that MIR. Conklings OPP
ponents were henCelorth to I've nowhere. Our
Rutland contemporary expressed the feeling
of these, when it said yesterday, with much
more 10 the same effect president Gar
field sees that Conkling, not Curtis nor Fen
ton, nor Woodin, nor Robertson, represents
the weight of party sentiment in New York
State, and he decides at once, like man of
practical sense, TO consult ConkliDg, who
really leads, rather than those who have al
WAYS wanted TO lead, but have never been
chosen
But before these words were in type the
President had made three appolntments-one
of them the most important political appoint
ment in the State of New York-entirely
acceptable to Curtis and Fenton and Woodin
and Robertson, and two of them AS unaccept-
able to Mr. Conkling as could possibly b.
made. They were made, as the special cor
respondents agree in saying. without the
slightest consultation with or notice TO Mr.
Conking or any of his friends. The nom,-
nation of Judge Robertson for collector, was
it is said, an entire surprise to Nice-Presi-
dent Arthur and 10 Senator Plat, and to
Judge Robertson himself. 1t is even stated
that it was made without the knowledge OF
Mr.. James. the New York member of the
Cabinet. Mr. Robertson has been leading
opponent of Mr. Conkling, in the New \ ork
conventions. He was the leading New York
opponent of MIR. Conkling and the Grant
men, in the Chicago convention, and all who
were al that convention will remember how
bitter was the feeling between the two lac
tons. Gen Merritt was put into the collect
orship in spite of Senator Conkling; but Mr.
ConklIng must decidedly prefer that MIR. Mer-
rift should remain collector rather than that
Mr.. Robertson should be put into the place
The most active opponent of MIR. Conkling.
outside of the New Workers, at Chicago, was
William F. Chandler and Mr.. Chandler is
made Solicitor-Gen at Washington, and
will have not a little to say and do with the
way in which the department Of justice is
run hereafter. The appointments OF Wood
ford and Payn will hardly make sugar
coating sufficient to make this bitter PHI
acceptable to the New York Senator, who is
not apt TO be suited unless ererything goes to
suit him. These selections are Of course u
reiteration of the Presidents purpose to re-
cognize all the elements which contributed
10 his election. How they are going 10 work
remains to be seen. There are some curious
things about them. General Merritt was do
ing admirably as collector, and it was gen.
orally expected that he would serve out his
term He cordially approves of Judge Rob
ertson, but as for himself, he can hardly like
being suddenly shipped abroad 10 an Office
worth Just one-half what his present one IS
His salary as collector is S12,000-as consul
at London it will be but $4,000. The change,
he said to an interviewer, was quite unex-
pected" to him and it is not certain that he
will take the foreign appointment. Solicitor
General Phillips is much in the same case.
The place he is asked to surrender 10 Mr..
Chandler is worth $1,000 a year and the
judgeshp of the court Of claims rendered to
him instead Is worth but $500. 1t is said
that he will decline the latter place, and re-
sumo his practice of the law.
There is good deal of discussion at Wash
ington and elsewhere, as 10 whether Judge
Robertson can be confirmed, as collector.
The appointment is referred to the Commit
tee of Commerce, of which Mr.. Conkling is
chairman. He can probably prevent the
confirmation, or it can be made over his op-
position only by the aid of the Democrats,
Either result will not conduce TO harmony
between the President and the powerful Sen
ator from New York; and it is possible that
the entire break between them which so
many have predicted as sure TO come sooner
or later, will come sooner.