The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-05-17
CONKLING'S LETTER
The reasons assigned
for his resignation.
Plat subscribes his name
to the Statement.

|
assembly a communication was received
from the governor covering the letters of
resignation of United States Senators
Conkling and Platt Also the joint letter
! from the senators giving their reasons for
resigning. The resignation and letter of
! explanation were read by the clerk. The
chamber was crowded with spectators,
among whom were many senators. At
the conclusion of the reading the chair an
nounced that the message would be enter
ed upon the journal.
WAsHINGToN, D. c., May IA. 1SS1.-Sr: Trans
mitting as we do our designations respectively, of
the great trust with which New York has honored
rus, it is fit that acquant you and through you the
Legislature and the people OF the state with the
sons which, in judgment, make such step re-
specful and necessary. Some weeks ago the Presi-
several persons for public offices already filled One
OF these offices is the collectorshp 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. affairs to Denmark
held by Mr.. Cramer; another is the mission to
Switzerland held by Mr.. Fish, of the formerly
distinguished secretary of state. Mr.. Fish had, in
Difference to the ancient practice, placed his posi-
ton at the disposal the new administration but
like other persons named he ready to remain at
his post If permitted to do so. All these officers
save only Mr.. Cramer citizens of New York
1t was proposed to displace them all, not
nor advantage of the public service but in
give the great Office of Collector of the Port
of New York to Mr. William H Robertson as a reward
certain acts of his, said to have aided in making
the nomination of Gen. Garfield. The possible chain
OF removals thus proposed was broken by Gen
Badeans promptly declining to accept the new place
to which he to be sent. These nominations sum-
moned every member of the Senate to say whether
he advised such transaction The movement was
more than a surprise We had been told only few
hours before that no removals in New York ofseers
were soon to be made or even considered, and had
been requested to withhold the papers and sugges-
bearing the subject which had been sent to
for presentation should occasion arise, until
had notice from the President of his readiness
ceve them Learning that the Vice President was
n TTIa4a vynp ant n Mr. Ca1N
officer from state and learned that though he had
spent some time with the President the morning
of the day the nominations were sent in, no
disclosure of intention to send them had
been made to him and that he first
After earnest reflection and consultation believe
the proceeding unwise and wrong, whether consid-
of the public service example to be set, in rea-
ton also to the integrity Of the Republican party.
made by either rs in the Senate or elsewhere. on
the contrary thought that the President would
least adopt less hurtful and Objectionable modes
requitting personal individual service In this
@ ee b & a ames to h %o
subsequently informed that you had authorized
To the President: We beg leave to demonstrate
against change in the collectorship at New York
MIR. Robertson. The proposal wholly sur
prise. We heard of it only when several nominations
Senate. We had only two days before this been
Informed from you that change in the custom Off
ignorant of the purpose take any action We
had no opportunity until after the nominations to
believe that the interests of the public service will
be promoted by the removal Of the present collector
and putting Robertson in his stead. Our opinion is
quite the reverse and believe political advan
tage be gained for either the Republican party
claims or obligations which should be liquidated in
such mode we earnestly and respectfully ask that |
the nomination of MIR. Robertson DE withdrawn.
CHESTER 4. ARTHUR.
7. G. PL4TT
THOMAS L. JAMES.
ROSCOE CoNKLINe.
This paper was presented to the President by |
Mr., Janes on Monday, the asth day OF March i
Assuming Gen. Merritt to officer of average ht-
honesty, it might be reasonably argued that
all Senators should with aacrty advise his dispace
ment by of obvious superiority Possibly il |
might be said that all should advise the selection in
Gen Merrtt's place OF a man who without superior
fitness had rendered his country or his party con-
spicuous and exalted service. This in hand does
not belong to either OF these classes The vocation
of Robertson and his legislative and professional ex
In qualities knowledge business habits and fan1ti;r
ty with the revenue laws and system of the United
States which might make him more competent than
Gen Merritt to collect the vast revenues ana adnln-
lister the vast business pertaining to the port of New
York. Certainly he cannot in this respect be held
exception to the rules OF right and consistency on
which the constitution and laws have placed the pub
vice rendered by Mr. Robertson so transcendent that
the Coectorshp of New York should be taken in the
midst of term ana gwen nun as reeompense.
Mr. Robertson Is reported by the New York Tribune
to declare that his nomination was
reward for his action delegate to the
national convention. If Mr.. Robertson In his
action tnfuedced by a sense of duty IL he
to see what claim he has for any reward, not TO
speak of such great reward for action of which
an estimate is thus invited This Robertson and
sixty ynlne other men accepted from the State con
vention a certain trust They sought and accepted
the position of agents delegates to the National
Convention. Ihe state convention declared tnat Its
plainly stated judgment and policy to be OBJ
served and supported by those it commissioned. To
TINS declaration ali selected as delegates gave I'M
piled consent but several of them in addition made
the most specific personal pledges and engagements
to exert themselves IN good talth throughout to Sc
cure the nomination of Gen. Grant. They made this
pledge as a means CT sustaining their own appoint
ment as delegates, and they dld as both personally
know, obtain their seats in the national convention
upon faith of their personal statements of their
and fidelity The obligation thus as
sumea understood, to involve the integrity as
much the obligation of who receives proxy
Of stock holders in corporation upon pledge and
promise to vote as his principal would vote. Wheth
er Robertson was was not, not only by honor and
implication, but by expressly giving his word. be-
comes quite immaterial in view of the claims made
for him 1t is insisted that he organized the bolt
or it has been sometimes stated he the bolt
This is to say that he invited persuaded and in
duced others whom he knew had given their word
and had obtained their seats by doing to violate
their word and betray not only the Republicans in
state convention but the Republicans of their dis
Iricts as well, who had trusted in their honor.
Whoever counsels and procures another to a dis
honorable act he shall share also the odium justly
attaching to it, We therefore wholly unable,
on whatever ground put it, to justification
for ourselves should we become parties to using
public trusts which belong to the people, to require
such service in such modes, but the appliance en-
poyed to effect the results set up standards of
we believe, the truths and princi
pies which the separate and coordinate branches
IF the government stand. senator has had his
own responsibility. He is amendable to his state =
and to the body of which he is q member. He is
bound by his oath to advise and consent his con
science and Judgment before God. whatever or who
ever else may constrain him. He is to be exempt
from executive menace or disfavor and
executive inducement on the other. long
standing order of the House of Commons
1as been the declaration that member shall suffer
expulsion who reports the wishes Of the
of the government to influence the votes of
members. The British constitution is not more jeal
)us than ours in this regard. To give advice and
honest, independent advice as to an appointment
proposed is much the right duty of the Presi
lent propose the names. Be his advice one way
he other It is not more act of disrespect or
TO the nominating power than the verdict of
/ Juror OF the decision of judge. The idea that
senator simply find out what Is wanted and then
10 it. cannot believe safe or admissible, and thus
or no party dared descended to up such a
party fidelity allegiance. In this instance
given to the subject and such distrust been
expressed of the correctness of positions that
mink il right dutiful TO submit the matter the