New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-05-11
c,rc1rs DELIBERATIONS.


.,,rxoroS Nav IO.-The Republican Senators
,,ssa.bsr caucus to-day. and spent five or SIX
.. ,e' S;sorssing the New-York nominations IDere
N9-'s or frenk and free interchange OF views, ana
..,.,oooucus adiourned withOutdeciding either 10
The nomination Of Judge Robertson at this
-, or 70 postnone it until December IL is un-
s.-.too.i that the caucus rule in regard 10 e'l
$500 nominations" was not formally resciuueu
,hore ia so,ne ground for the belief that
49,. ,aars.oDd;nc was reached in regard 10 II,
which will enable any Senator VINO may ooSiio
- ord ofter the lapse of two three days. 10
,ove for action upon such nominations 10 uo ~
without becoming liable 70 the aceuSa,ion
of having violated caucus pledge. Sep''oiS
are evidently sanguine that some means OK Accoin
modation will yet be found which VIII prevent any
open rupture in regard TO the New-lolA HoiiiiN"-
tons ,
Inc difficulties and avoiding the impending struggle
rere proposed and advocated, and that each OF
tbom vas received with more or less favor. 1t was
Suggested that Judge Robertson might be Wiling 10
exchange the nomination for the office OF COuector
for the vacant United States District Judgeshlp IN
Nsw.York, also that he might be willing to accept
tbe United States District Attorneyship for the
sop,hern District of New-York; and also that he
might be induced to accept an important foreign
appointment. But the plan, which 1t Is believed
was received with very general favor involves the
withdrawal of both Judge Robertson and Wm' T.
Chandler and the nomination of Judge Robertson
TO be solieitor-General and of Mr. Chandler TO be
Collector of the port Of New-York. This plan, it is
understood met with the approval of Adminisra-
tion Senators and of some of Mr.. Conkling's most
active friends and it was generally agreed that If
il could be carried out it would be happy solution
of the present difficulties Among other things IL
support of it was urged the consideration that 1t
would remove the Pennsylvania opposition 10 Mr.
Chandler's confirmation as well as the opposition Of
Senators Conkling and Platt TO Judge Robertson.
1t is believed that when the caucus adjourned
subject to the call Of it's chairman, there was an un
derssanding that an effort should be made to carry
this plan into operation. 1t is not known to whom
was confded that delicate task; but there Is good
reason to believe that il will be undertaken. 1t in
wolves 4t least four propositions; the consent of tho
President to the withdrawal Of Judge RObertson's
nomination, and the appointment Of Mr.. Chandler
instead; the consent of Judge Robertson 10 the
withdrawal and his acceptance of a different office
n like consent and acceptance by Mr.. Chandler; and
the assent of Mr. Conkling to these changes. These
matters would therefore, necessarily be the subject
Of personal conference between the Senator's having
the subject in charge and all the gentlemen named
That such is the intention is inferred from the re-
mark of q Senator this evening who said: Moth
ing more will be done in the Robertson matter in
the Senate inside of the next forty-eght hOurs-
presume another caucus will be held. but when il
win take place viii depend upon circumstances.
feel hopeful that we shall be able to adjust diff
eulties peaceably.'
There is reason 70 believe that one important con-
sideraton which governs Republican Senators in
their desire to find an amicabe solution Of the pres
ent difficulties is found in the fact that should an
open fight take place the nomination Of Judge
Robertson the confirmation, which would in all
probability result would be due to the fact that he
had received Democratic votes. Republican Senators
declare that this would be placing the Adminstra-
ton under obligations to the Democrats, and might
result disastrously TO the Republican party.
Another consideration strongly urged, III the in
tcrests of compromise and harmony, is that open
rupture at this time would endanger Republican
success in the coming political campaign in the
state OF New-York. Ii is understood that in his
speech Yesterday Senator Conkling referred to one
of the messages of George Washington, as sustain
ing his present position the subject Of Senatorial
courtesy" On August 9, 1889, President Washing
ton transmitted TO the Senate the nomination Of
Lschlsn Mcintosh, to be Naval Officer at Savannah,
Ga, ia place of Benjamin Fishbourn, whose nomina
ton had been rejected by the Senate. In trans
hitting Melnt0sh's name President Washington
SAID:
Whatever may have been the reasons which induced
your Dissent persuaded they were such yon
neeed sufficient Permit Inc 20 submit for your consid
Grafton whether occasions where the prOpriety Of
nominations appears questionable 10 you, II would not
e eSpedlent 70 Communicate that eircumstance and
70 make them and which would with pleasure lay be
ourS may tend to show that such mode Of proceedins
ise% sa'A cases niSo' Dc aS'iD WILL '0S''i0'e ae'ii
Tho reasons which the President gave at some length
we're that Colonel FishbOun who had served un-
der him In the Revolution, very gallant officer
and that efer his retirement from the Army he had
been repeatedly elected 10 the State Legislature and
had been presiding officer Of the Executive Council
81 the state as wei as elective officer Of the militia
forces of Georgia. Moreover the President had re-
reived private letters of recommendation and oral
testimony ID Fshbourns favor from many respect
able people Of Georgia. In foot note of this mos
sago Benton. IN his sbIidgment of the debates of
Congress" says:
THIS message of President Washington ia stror, IN.
stance Of his Difference for the Senate; thus giving up
Knew 10 be t and nefitorioas It Was also strong b %
Stance OF the Difference OF the Senate 10 the Senators
Ae stase Interested In the nomination, Colonel Fish
hourn having been rejected simply because the Georgia
Senator's preferred another.
IL appears only necessary to observe in regard to
tls that Colonel Fishbourn's nomination was
Promptly acted upon by the Senate, oven though
both Of the Georgia Senators were opposed 10 it I;
anu tnere ~ notnog In tne record TO snow that the
Administration Senators, in caucus assembled,
placed the nomination in the custody of one Of the
Seorgis Senator'S and then appointed Committee
sf Safety 10 go to President Washington and be-
xech him to withdraw II in the interest Of har-
mony' In fact the Fishboun case and
Inc Robertson case do not appear
afford fam parallel IN any
respect wbstever; for 1t appears generally to be
tcnceded that IL the Senate ever gets chance 10
vote On the latter nomination IL viii be confirmed.
xss.se ssIe tonight report has Obtained currency