Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-05-26
CONKLING,S RESIGNATION.

: CONKLING'S RESIGNATION.
The resignation of Senators Conkling and
Platt was the most notable event Of the nota.
BILE extra session of the Senate just closed.
The ostensible reason given by these Senators
for their remarkable action-without prece'
dent since a similar course was pursued by
Joshua R. Giddings, during an exciting dis
cussion of the slavery question twenty-five
years ago, when the Democratic administra-
tion did not yield to his demands-has excl.
ted considerable comment throughout the
country, and is yet the absorbing political
topic.
Conkling is a vain and proud man. His
political adversaries make the admission that
he is by far the ablest man of his party in
Congress; but his arrogance, amounting to
imperious insolence, renders him unpopular
with his own political associates, and whatev-
er ability he may possess is negatived by the
imperial airs he assumes in debating to his
party, which has been slow to acknowledge
him as its chosen leader. AS Senator from
New York, he regards all the Offices in that
State, within the appointment Of the admiuls'
tration, at his own disposal, and assumes that
the President has no right TO make an ap'
pointment, and surely that the Senate must
make no confirmation, until the same has du'
ly received his appreciation and sanction
The President has taken a different view OF
the subject, and it seems that Republican
Senators have also somewhat differed from the
astute Senator in regard to the estimation he
places upon himself. But this has not pre-
vented him from retarding the business OF
the Senate, and until the President assumed a
firm attitude by promptly Withdrawing his
New York nominations-those meeting the
approval of Conkling as well as those dis
tasteful to him, declaring that all must stand
or fall together-did the Senator begin to
realize that he could not have things bis own
way and after a few more attempts at bull
doing the executive, he adopted the novel
expedient of handing in his resignation, ex-
pecting that his course would receive legisla-
tive sanction by prompt reelection, proba'
bly, for the long term, by the New York As
sembly, now in session. In this, it is proba-
BILE that he overreacbed himself His popu'
larity does not extend so far as he had evil
IDENTIFY calculated. 1t is even surmised that
a majority of the Assembly is composed OF
administration Republicans, and such being
the case, of course they will stand by the ad'
ministration. Those who are known to be
administration members of the Assembly, are
unit in their determination to vote for no
man as Senator who is not known to be in
cordial sympathy with the administration
and they will under no circumstances vote tor
any man who has antagonized President Gar
field, or has avowed his purpose to do So
News of the unanimous confirmation by the
Senate of Robertson's nomination as collector
of the port of New York, which nomination
was the bone of contention with Conkling,
was received in the Senate of the New York
Assembly amid the widest excitement, cheer.
ing and clapping of hands. Three cheers
were given for Robertson, and a general
handshaking followed, amid which the Sen.
ate adjourned. This would indicate that
Conkling does not possess the power which he
had evidently attributed to himself.
A caucus of the Republicans in the AS
sembly will be held this week, and every Re.
publican is expected to attend it and abide
by its decision, or suffer repudiation at home.
1t is stated that Conkling and Platt will be
candidates before the caucus, whatever the
result may be. Their friends declare that to
ignore them will be to read them out of the
party, which will not be permitted. On the
other hand, the Garfield men stand strong in
the determination against the reelection Of
the ex.Senators, and still say they will not
attend any caucus.
The New York Tribune, of Monday morn
ing, in brief editorial, says that Conkling
and Plat are both working for reelection ;
but that the administration Republicans still
maintain that they cannot succeed, ffty.two
Republicans being pledged against them.
Albany dispatches of Monday also convey
the idea that it is practically impossible for
both Conkling and Platt to be reelected. No
time has yet been fixed for the election.