South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-05-20
60 yvAsEgINeiwoN.

following communication
Washington, ID. MAY rs. 1851
To Hon. Q. 4. Arthur, Vice Presi.
dent.-Sir: Willyouplease announce
to tho Senate that my resignation rs
Senator Of the United States from.
the State OF New York has been for
warded 10 the Governor Of the State?
l have the honor 70 be, with great re-
spect, your obed;ent servant, M
"HoscoE CosKLISd.'
This communication was received
with great sensation, which was height
ened when the Vice President laid the
following before the Senate:
E'Senate Chamber, May IS, 1881.
To Hon. @. A. Arthur, Wee Presi-
dent.-Sir; [ have forwarded to the
Governor Of the State Of New York.
my resignation rs Senator Of tie Uni
ted States for the State of Now York
VIII you please announce the fact 10
the Senate. With great respect, your
obedlent servant. It. G. PIATT."
A hum OF astonishment followed
the reading ofthe communication, and
Mr.. Hill, OF Georgia, suggested, sor-
TO vOoE, that this would be a good
time to elect officers OF the Senate.
Mr.. Dawes moved 10 60 into exec
utive session.
Mr.. Coclcroll.-I thought you want
ed TO consider the other resolutions
the election Of officers.
Mr.. Dawcs.-I had no idea but
that The Senator would like to go Oh
with it. 1t IS in accordance with the
disposition which he las shown from
the beginning.
Mr.. He'll OF Ga.-The Senator said
that the republic would be sUbvcrtod
II the resolution was not acted upon.
Mr.. Dawcs.-But the Senator would
never be convinced until he happen
ed TO have . majority.
Mr.. Ilili.--Oh, we won't insist up
on having it considered.
Mr. Dawes.-An accidents an eye
opener to the Senator.
Mr.. Hill turned around and sug-
geStod TO Mr.. Davis OF III, that there
was nothing TO prevent tie Senate
from adi0urning this week slyE pis.
The Senate then, at 1880, went III
to executive session.
TUX ToPlC ~ TsE CAPITOL.
Tho unexpected action of The New
York Senators was the only topic
under discussion ut Ike Capitol, tLo
White House. tho departments and eli.
public places for tire remainder Of
tho day. at first Che news was re-
ceived everywhere with expressions Of
incredibly, ard it was come time be.
fore it was accepted as true ND town.
Then, apparently to wheJ the public
appetite Tor excitement, ruulors were
pat into circulation that Vice,Presi.
don't Arthur, Attorney-Genera Mac.
Vcagh and Postmaster Gencral james
bad also resigned. These rnmors,
following close or tho verified an
noancenent of the resignation Of the
New York Senators, were accepted
rs trae, and excitement ran ut fever
heat until an authoritative ccntradic-
ton was had from Messrs. Arthur,
MacVeagh and james.
TALKING IT OVER At TER WHITE HOUSE.
The President was very soon adj
vised OF tic resignation OF Senators
Conkling and Plntt. 1t did uot seem
10 give him the least concern, as he
only smiled and said me could not
Gee the point Shortly after Secretas
ry Blaine came over to tue White
House in a radiant hunoE and mad
long interview with tie President
lie was followed by the Attorney
General, the Secretary OF War and
The Postmaster General, and later ~
The Secretary Of the interior All Of
these discussed the matter with tie
President, but they were not able 70
exactly see what Mr. ConkHn8 Was
driving 81 Il seemed to be taken for
granted tlat Mr. Conkiing expected
y prornpt reelection TO tho Senate by
the New York Legislature OF hinHo,f
and Mr. Plat, and that he woal1
proudly point to tais asa vindicatioa.
Also that MIR. Robertson, as q NOM
Der ofthe Slate Senate. would be com
PEELED to vote for Conl<ling and Plat
unless be WAS willing TO pat bjmso!f
iu the attitude Of a bo'tor. But, as
said at tie White House, it would
take very fine spcctoclcs 10 see where
tho viudicatlou camo In, ~ tho pres.
cnt Legislature Of Now York was
elected last fall, and the majority wore
nominated md oIaptpi gr ouf-auI ot.f