The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1881-05-17
ROSCOE CoNKLING.


7. c. PLATT,
THoS. /. JAMES,
Roscoe CoNKLING.
This paper was presented to the
President by Mr.. James on Mon
day, the 2Sth day of March. Know
ing the frequency with which every
one of the twenty presidents of the
republic, and marked by the present
incumbent, had withdrawn nomina-
lions on less serious representations
we did not apprehend that such a
suggestion would be treated as in
trusiOn or invasion on any preroga-
tive of the nominating power. We
were disappointed. Immediately
the public press, especially in ar
ticleS and dispatches written by
those in close and constant asssocia-
tions with the President and
with influential members of his
cabinet, teemed with violent denun-
Citations of the senators from New
York for opposing the Administra.
ton and debating to the President.
Persons who visited the Executive
Mansion reported the President as
resentful and impatient of the hest
satiOn to advise and consent to what
he proposed. We had made no as
sault upon anybody. We have at all
times refused to answer questions
asked by representatives of the press
or make complaint or comment, OF
even denial of the truthless charges
published against us by the Officious
champions of the Administration
Indeed, beyond confidential consul
tatlOnS with brother senators and
officers, we have said nothing until
now on the subject, nor have we, OF
either of us, promoted the deadlock
in the Senate, in order to prevent or
influence the action on any nominal
ton, nor have we ever so stated.
Immediately after the nominations
were published, letters and kilograms
in great numbers came from every
part of state, from its leading citi-
Zens, protesting against the pro-
posed changes and cOndemning
them on many grounds. Several
thousands of the leading mercantile
firms of New York, constituting,
we are informed, the majority of
every branch OF trade, sent in re-
monstrances sixty of the eighty-one
republican members of the assem-
bly,, by letter or memorial of Objec-
ton; representative in Congress
state officials, business men, profess
Sional men, commercial, industrial
and political organizations, are
among the remonstrants, and they
speak from every section of the
state. Besides the nominations al
ready referred to, there were await
ing action of the Senate, several
citizens of New York, named for
officers connected with the courts,
district attorneys and marshals.
These were all reappOinted. Most
of them had been originally COM
missioned by Mr.. Hayes. They were
certified by judges Of the courts and
many other prominent persons who
attend faithfulneSS and merit to
their service and recommended
their continuance. They were not
presented by us. We have not at
tempted to dictate, nor have we
asked the nomination of one per-
son to any Office in the
state. Indeed, with the simple ex-
ception Of the written request set
forth above, we have never even
an opinion to the Presi-
dent in any case, unless questioned
in regard to it. Some few days ago
the President abruptly withdrew, in
one and the same act, the names of
General WOOdford and Mr.. Tenny,
and of two marShalS. This unpre-
;edented proceeding, whether advis-
able by law or not, was gravely sig
lificant. The President had nOmi-
mated these officers after they had
Oeen weighed in the balance. Their
official records were before him, and
had been fully scrutiniZed and APP
1t must be presumed he
thought the nominations fit to be-
made and that it was his duty to-
make them. There is no allegation
hat he discovered any unfairneSs
n them afterwards. 1t could hardly
De that he had discovered Unfiness
n all of them alike. What then
was the meaning and purpose of
his peremptory step? 1t was inn
stated as if by authority,
md seems to be admitted, that the
was to cOerce senators to
vote as they would not vote, if left
rec from executive interference.
The design was to control the action
If senator's touching matters COM
nitted by the Constitution to the
senate, and the Senate exclusively. It'll
las been suggested in addition, that
)Y recalling these nominations and
holding them in his own hands, the
President might, in the event of the
allure of another nomination, use
hem to compensate that failure. fl
t can be supposed that all these
public trusts are to be, or would in |
my event be, made personal per-
IuiSiteS or be handled and disposed |
If, not only to punish the indie
,endence Of senatorial votes and |
.ction, but to liquidate the personal |
of any individual how
Yer high in station, the conditions /
re utterly vicious and degrading
nd their acceptance would compel
representatives of states to fllngi
own their oath and representative
.uty at the foOt-stOOl of executive
ower. Following this sweeping
nd startling executive act, came
minouS avowals that dissent or
allure to advise and consent would
e held an act of offence, exposing
II senators from whatever state to
xecutiye displeasure. Thus we are
onfronted by the question whether
70 shall surrender the plain right
nd sworn duty of senators by con-
enting to what we believe to be
icious and hurtful, or be assigned
position of diSlOyalty to the Adj
which we helped to
ring III and the success of which
e earnestly desire. For every rea-
IN and motive which can enter into
le case, we know 10 theory,
vowed by any party, which re-
uires such submission as is now eX-
,ted. Although party service may
2 fairly considered in making Sc
oE;,,,c Of ,1uhIin oEnar, - oo,,