New-York tribune., 1881-03-24


with vice-President Arthur or the New
York member of the Cabinet. To every one
of these gentlemen the nomination of Judge Robert
son was profound surprise.
Upon what theory do yOu account for the Presl-
denps actlon7" asked the correspondent
well. will he charitable enough to say that |
McDougall yesterday stirred up tue "scratchers,~
and that they deluged him with kilograms from all
quarters making hIm believe that he had
ie siied at 'eney' any f' cost. fs He thousht the
appointment Of Robertson as Collector
and of Merritt as Consul General would quiet the
storm; but he worse mistaken III his life:
He would have done far better it he had allowed
matters to remain as they were" m
what do you think of the other appointments u
asked the correspondent
II thinl; the appointment of Mr.. Phelps very
good one lie is warm personal friend, and thihK
How about Mr.. Chandlerf"
"Well, nothing can be said against that appoint
ment Oh the score of ability. He Is bright lawyer
and an able man."
SATISFACTION EXPRESSED IN ALBANY.
SENATOR ROBERTSON CONGRATULATED-HIs OWN
VIEWS ON THE APPOIN NTMENT-PUBLIC OPINION
GENERALLY.
lBY TELEGRAPH TIE TRrBUNEi
ALBANY, March 23.-Prvate dispatches from
Washington telling of the nomination of Senator
Robertson for Collector at Aew-YOrk were received
here early this afternoon aud created intense ex-
element among the politicians. The first dispatch
in regard to his promotion was received by Senator
Robertson himself while the Senate was in session.
out with characteristic mOdesty he pockeed it and
said nothing about it's receipt. He was detained at
the Capitol after the adjOurnmentOf of the Senate aud
therefore did not reach the lower part OF tho
city till long after the news from Washington bad
there gained publicity Arriving at the Kenmore
Hotel he was surrounded by four score members of
the Legislature and personal friends living in this
city and heartily congratulated on his nomination.
Throughout the afternoon he attempted with i'll
success to carry on the work of the Judiciary Com
nlittee. being continually interrupted by the en-
trance nro his room Of happy friends The con-
gratuations camc with equal fervor from Demo-
Gratis and Republicans.
In an interview tonight with The TRlDrSE cor
respondent Senator Robertson said: This nomina-
tion is especially gratifying to me because 1t comes
to me unsOught. No friend of mine, to my knowl-
edge has solicited for me any place under President
Gariicld's Admnst ration. This is a complete sur
prise and q very delightful one to me- l have been
greatly touched since the news of the nomination
reached hero by the kind words of congrauIation
uttered by my friends and acauaintanccs. This will
be the first Office that shall hold by appointment
have been twice in the Assembly; once IN Con-
gross, twelve years Judge and twelve years SEN
ator. have never sought any of the offices which
i nave neJQ, ana nave followed tnc SaiLe THO III
this case. Men have come to me in the past three
months and have suggested to me to apply
for this Office or that; did not take their advice.
Perhaps it would be we'll to state, also, that have
not been to Washington l have received large
number Of congratulatcry telesrans. l have
doubt about my confirmation. Many Of the Inem-
bers of the Senate, indeed about half it's members.
were my friends when was in Congress. Among
my personal friends many Of the Democratic
members, so that shall receive support from both
sides of the house. ! assume that | shall have the
support OF both the Senators from New-Iork. in-
terpret the nomip atons of President Garfield as an
indication that lie intends to reward the men vino
made possible his nomination at Chicago
President Garleld's in nominating for Office
Senator Robertson and other members of what may
be termed the independent wing of the Republican
party in this State and else where, is very gratifying
TO such members of the Legislature and politicians
as have acted with that wing for several years past
1t is the general sentiment among Republicans to-
night that the Presidents policy is TO harmonizc all
the factions within the party. Such policy is uni
versa lly commended. When it thought from
nominations yesterday that lie would favor only
wing. the result OF such policy was forcshadowcd
in the displeasure manifested on the one SIDE ana
the satisfaction shown on the other. Senator Me-
Carthy, one of the Independents, expressed their
sentiments today when ne sand IN regard I to the
nominntions We'll 1t tTe1s EVE things s nP tho Nearly
ests Of harmony'in the Republican party In this
State would be greatly strenGthenedby the nomina-
exrre,scd that the leaders of the two wings
satisfied with the representation III Office proposed
by President Garfield, and that all the nominations
would be confirmed at once.
Tie albany journal says:
Tho nomination OF JUICE Robertson for the important
Office OF Collector Of the Port Of Newfok s an ndiea-
Or ~ the purpose OF the President to leave nothing I'M
done his part to harmonze the differences wnich exist
for.f IN orpu
term and hereby rendered General Garfeids nomina-
viii give pleasure 10 very large section party in
this state while should give offence TO none for by
dent very literally responded TO the wishes OF the
"etalwart" wlrg OF the organization.
Senator Robertson's rooms ut the hotel were
thrOnged tonight with callers cOngra uiatiDg him
ON his appointment. Congratu latOry telegrams
tInua TO como in from the leading men OF both par
ties throughout the State.
THE NEWS AT THE CUSTOM-IIOUSE.
Tho news of the appointment of William II.
Robertson as Collector of the Port vas received Mt
the Custom.H House with great satisfaction, which
was tempered only by regret at the retirement of
Collector Merritt The nomination was not gener!
ally known among the customs officers until
the close Of business, but in the afternoon many Of
those who had been informed of the proposed
change called on the Collector and expressed their
SORROW that his connection with the service was
about to be severed. 1t was the universal opinion
among his subordinates that General Merritt had
heen An efficient and faithful Oicer, and that no
had done much to elevate the character of the ser
vice. Collector Merritt himself was unwilling to
talk about the nomination of his successor or about
hrs swn appointment as Consul General at London.
Of the nomination of Mr. Robertson it was said by
everyone that it was exceedingly wise and proper
selection.
WILLIAM. WALTER PHELPS.
The Hon. William Walter Phelps was born in
this city, August "a. 1889. and graduated with high
honors at Yale College In 1890 Twelve years later he