The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1881-05-24

dlSp0SSeSS Mr. + lSH-d SUI VI OIauI . iolLhoi
secretary of state-of the mission to Switzer-
laud.
In the nominations to displace the above
named gentlemen, Messrs. Conkling and Platt
could see that President Garfield was aiming
a blow at the stalwart element of the repub-
lican party by striking down the chosen
friends of the chiefs of the faction. 1t was
not proposed to dispIace these officers for any
alleged faults of theirs nor for any advantage
that the public service would gain by it, but
simply as a reward to Mr.. VIM. H. Robertson
for certain acts of his by which the nomina-
ton of Mr.. Garfield to The presidency became
possible. Their attempted removal was
more than a surprise to Messrs. Conklng and
Platt, for they had been informed only a few
hours before Gartield's nominations were
sent to the senate that no remove OF New
York officers was soon TO be made or even
considered. After consultation among the
chiefs the following letter was prepared and
presented by Mr.. James to the President.
To the President:
We beg leave to demonstrate aga INST a
change in the collectorship at New York by
the removal of Mr.. Merritt, and the appoint
ment of Robertson. The proposal was wholly
a surprise. We heard of it only when sever
al nominations involved in the plan, we're an
nounced in the senate. We had only two
days before this been Informed by you that a
change in the custom officers at New York
$780,. ,~A o~t~,~.J,t,J n.l anita jrnnrnrt nf
your purpose to take any action now, we had
no opportunity until after the nominations to
make suggestions. We now say that we do not
believe that The interests of the public service
will be promoted by renewing the present
collector and putting Mr.. Robertson in his
stead. Our opinion is quite the reverse, and
we believe no political advantage can be
gained for the republican party OK its plinci-
Piles. Believing that no individual has claims
or obligations which should be liquidated in
such a mode, we earnestly and respectfully
ask that the nomination of Mr.. Robertson be
Withdrawn.
(Signed) CHESTER A. ARTHUR,
T.. G.. PLATT,
THoS. l.. JAMES,
ROSCOE C~oNKLING."
These gentlemen knowing the frequency
with which all the preceding presidents had
withdrawn nominations on less serious
representations did not apprehend that THEN
suggestions would be considered as an inva
sion of the ~prerpgative Of the President, bat
they were disappointed. Soon after the adj
mlnistration organs throughout the country
took up the refrain that COnKling was trying
to "bull doza" the president into withdrawing
Robertson's nomination, and were filled with
bitter denunciatlons of him and Piatt. But
these gentlemen were not without support if
we credit their declarations.
They say:
"lmmediately after the nominations were
published, letters and kilograms III great mum,
bers, came from every part of the state from
its leading citizens, protesting against the
proposed changes, and condemning them or
many grounds. Several thousands of the
leading mercantile firms of New York, con,
stituting, we are informed, a majority of ev.
cry branch of trade, sent in remonstrances
Sixty, out Of eighty-one republican members
of the assembly, by letter or memorial, sem
objections. Representatives in congress, state
officials, business men, professional men
commercial, industrial and political organi
cations, are among the professionals, and the,
speak from every section of the state"
The gentlemen furthermore declare tia
no recommendations for the nominations O
persons by the president had been presente,
by them, nor have they attempted to dictat,
office in the state Of New York. They thel
complain that the president abruptly with
drew the nominations of General Woodford
Mr.. Tenny and two marshals, all New YorI