Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-05-17
Letter Of Resignation OF COnkling and
Plat to Gov. Cornell.

The following is the letter of resignation
signed by Messrs. Plat and Conkling, and
addressed to Governor Cornell:
WASHINGTON. ID. c. May IA, 1881.
Sir:-Transmitting as we do our resigna-
tions, respectively, of the great trusts with
which New York has honored US, it is
fit that we acquaint you, and through you,
The legislature and the people Of the State,
with the reasons which in our judgement
makes such step respectful
apd necessary. Some weeks ago
the president sent to the Senate, in a group,
the nominations of several persons for public
offices already filled. One of these offices Is
the Collect0rship of the port of New York,
now held by Gen. Merritt; another is the
Consul Generalship at London, now held by
Gen. Badean; another is Charge d'Affiairs to
Denmark, held by Mr.. Dreamer; another the
mission to Switzerland held by Mr. Fish,
son of the former distinguished secretary OF
state. Mr.. Fish had in Difference to an
ancient practice paced his position at the
disposal of the new administration, but like
other persons named, he was ready to remain
at his post if permitted to do so. All of these
officres, save only Mr.. Dreamer, are citizens
of New York. 1t was proposed to displace
them all, not for any alleged faults or for
in order to give the great Office Of collector
of the port of New York to Mr.. William III.
Robertson as a "reward" for certain acts of
his said to have aided in making the nomina-
ton of Gen. Garfield. Possibly the chain of
remov ais thus proposed was broken by Gen.
Badeans promptly declining to accept the
new place which he was TO be sent. These
nominations summoned every member of the
Senate to say whether he advised such a
TRANSACTION. The moment was more than
surprise.
We had been told only few hours before
that no removals in New York offices were
soon to be made or even considered, and had
been requested to withhold the papers and
suggestions bearing on the subject, which
had been sent to us for presentation should
occasion arise, until we had notice from the
President of his readiness to receive them.
Learning that the Vice President was equal
" surprised. and had been equally mislead,
we went to Mr.. James. cabinet officer from
our State and learned that though he had
spent some time with the President on the
morning of the day the nominations were
sent in, no disclosures 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 an earnest reflection and con-
sultation, we believed the proceeding unwise
anu wrong. whether WHO1lN III TeidtIou W
preserva alton and integrity of the public SER
vice and public EXAMPLE to be set OF in rela-
ton also to the integrity of the republican
party. No public Inference or comment or
censure was made by either of US in the Sen
ate or elsewhere; on the contrary, we
thought that the President would reconsider
an action so sudden and so hasty, would at
least adopt a less hurtful and Objectionable
modes of requiting personal or individual
service. In this hope the following paper
was prepared and signed. and presented by
Mr.. James to the President, who was subse
quently informed that you had authorized
your name to be added also.
To the P'esideaf:-
We beg leave to demonstrate against the
change in the collectorship at New York by
the removal of Mr.. Merritt and the appoint
ment of Mr.. Robertson. The proposal was
wholly a surprise, and we heard OF it only
when the several nominations involved in
plan were announced in the Senate. We had
only ten DAYS before this, been informed from
you that change in Custom officers was not
contemplated, and being quite ignorant of a
purpose to take any action nov we had no
opportunity to make the suggestions we now
present.
We do not believe that the interests of the
public services will be promoted by removing
the present collector and putting Mr.. Rob
ertson in his stead; our opionion is quite the
reverse, and we believe that no political ad-
vantage can be gained for either the republic
can party or its principles. Believing that
no individual has claims or obligations
which should be liquidAted in such manner,
we earnestly and respectfully ask that the
nomination of Mr.. Robertson be withdrawn
Signed.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
I. c. PLArT.
THOMAS JAMES.
Roscoe CONkLING