Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-05-09
THE IMPENDING CONFLICT.
Campaign Plans and Camp

1t is expected in political circles that the
present week Will be one Of excitement. Ic Is
not thought that action on the Robertson NOM
ination can be delayed longer than Thursday,
and to. day caucus is being held by republic IN
Senators to reconsider the action OF the pre-
vious caucus. So long as the decision OF the
last caucus remains ii force Senator Cons-
ling has great advantage IN so far that be
can delay the report In the Robertson case,
and just now delay is advantageous TO him.
kIXRD Up.
The democrats are not united as to what
course they will pursue, nor are the republi-
cans. With some democrats the question
arises whether the Preaident's move is to be
accepted as personal warfare on Senator Conk-
ing or whether By his act he Is threatening
the Senate and arrogattng to himself the right
the use OF patronage. Some OF the Senators,
aside from political Affiliations, hold that tha
question at issue Is not whether the President
whether by the implied threat the President
hes made he is to assume that the executive
power snan dominate the distinct legislative
is settling itself down to question
OF the rights OF the Senate in contradistinction
TO the rights OF the president under the con-
exultingly, General GARFIELD has made up his
mind to be President" This is all right, un-
doubtedly, say these Senators; but In asserting
such claim he.must not forget that the Senate
has rights delegated to 1t by the Constitution
One of these rights is that OF consenting to the
PRESIDENTS appointments, that is, If it sees fir,
sent, and for the President to say "You must
confirm this or that man under the patn, IL you
do not, Of Executive dispIeaSure," is threat
which If yielded to will destroy the coordinate
branches OF the government.
CoNKLING AND ''THs MAN AT TIE OTHER END OF
THE AVENUE"
On this subject Senator Conkling said ye5ter-
day to a southwestern Senator: II anticipate
within three years there will be an uprising OF
the people to resist the encroacnment of the
executive power. for one intend now to re
Sst an sucn encroacnments. no matter VINO Is
President"
HOw SOME DEMOCRATS LOOK AT 1T.
Then there are democrats who reason In this
way: They say 1.-THE President is in a dilemma
He cannot get Judge Robertson confirmed
unless he has democratic votes. Now it is our
DUTY TO take advantage OF the Compiex situa-
tion and help ourselves" This they can dc.
1T so happens" said leading democrat. "tha-
Just low the democratic mind Is considerably
TORN up with respect to Malone and the position
the President bears toward him. The Prest-
dent. 1t Is reported has semi officially declared
outside Of the 6orham- -Riddleberger contest,
he is with Malone In his efforts to break d0wn
what Is called Bourbon democracy in Virginia.
In short. this means he favors an alliance with
Mahone If he can destroy the democratic party
In Virginia. With patronage Mahone may be
able to make lnroads on the democratic
SocOSSA. but WltHoat III Nc WOulQ Oe power
less: Now" say some OF the democratic
leaders, .'if the President proposes to knife
US by giving Mahene federal patronage with
Vdil which to disrupt our party 1t Is none OF our
atalr to aid him In his present dilemma. Rather
1t is our duty TO 60 to him and find ou5 def
n1tely what he intends to do, and ii he Will not
give US satisfaction to stand aloot from the
present quarrel and let the republicans fight it
out among themselves" They Say '1f we turn
In and aio the President what assurance have
we that after having triumphed by our votes
q nj n \
out thanks
DEMOCRATS WHO DISLIKE CoNKLING.
Said prominent democrat last night, "I
know that Senator's Hampton and Butler, and
one Or two others, are actively at work to ~
Guce the democrats to vote for Robertson's
confirmation This they do because OF per.
soDal dislike to Conkling, and because of their
dislike they are so impatient TO humil.ata him
that they rsii to see the advantages the si:ua-
tion presents to the democrats
ANOTHER ISSUE.
Then there Is another element Waich enters
into The complication. The democrats are eX-
ceedingly anxious to have VIM. E. Chandler
rejected. II they can get aid from the repsbli-
can SIDE tney can defeat him. Ii SO happens
that the very men who are Robertson'5 friends
are the Senators whom the democrats look 10
lof heip 10 defeat Chandler. II. then. the DEM
ocrats turn fn and confirm Robertson. the re-
publieans may In spirit OF revenge put Cnan-
dler through.
BEFORE THE BATTLE.
AS the battle draws On there Is mastering
OF the clans on bot, sides. Last nighd Senator
Frye, OF Maine, who had not intended to re-
turn, got back and will remain until the war is
over: Senator Harrison. OF Indiana also ar
rived yesterday. Such Senators as desire the
existing troubles to be patched up and an open
rupture averted are still cogttating how to ar
raI ge matters. One plan suggested is that the
PRESIDENT withdraw Robertson as collector and
nominate him for the district attorneyshfp In
place OF Steward L. Woodford. The latter. it
Is said, is willing to assent to this II the PreSi
dent and Robertson Will agree; but 1t is not
probable either will.