New-York tribune., 1881-03-29

Offices one after another 1t seems to me that TINS
earnest enough Of the desire Of the President 10
recognize the Stalwart" element in New-York
politics.
What happened after these nominations were
made : number of Mr.. COrklinRs FRIENDS at
home and in Washington began to beat their drum
and shout victory. They made uncomfortable din
about the ears Of the Independent Republicans ana
as good as suggested that the men who broke the
unit rule at Chicago and nominated General Gar
field should now lie down in the dust
so they could put their leet their necks Instead
Of accepting the nominations as an earnest Oh
the purpose to bring about harmony, they
seized on them as weapons with which TO
pummel all Republicans who did not train
with their machine. Now what was the PLAIN
common sense duty of the Administration, under
these circumstancesi Evidently to make at least
one conspicuous appointment from the lndependehV
element. do not think it was contemplated 10
make an immediate change in the Custom House;
but the cIamor of certain newspapers and politicians
hastened evonts and Judge Robertson's name was
sent to the Senate II fairly balanced the board ana
showed that the independents were not to be lett
unprotected as targets Tor their opponents.
But that was all it showed. 1t was no evidence
whatever of any hostile or even unfrendly feelings
toward Senator Conkng or toward the friends OF
it was are blinded by prejudice or disappointment
and will see their error before long know that 1T
is said that the President should have consulted
the two New-York Senators before making
so important nomination in their
State us that of Collector, and L
grant that the opposition to Judge Robertson make
point here; but it has not much force when u Is
considered that the President must have known IN
ad vance that they would not approve the appoint
ment Why, then, go through the form OF eohsli-
tation. when their opinion was already known
Why put ther to the needless annoyance OF prohtr-
ing advice. when the Presidents sense Of duty and
all the circumstances Of the political situation mace
il impossible for him to follow that advicef
"Ah, but he should have followed it anyhow" say
the offended factionists. That brings the matter
down TO the question: who Is PRESIDENT The peo-
ple put General Garfield in the White House to be
President, and he evidently means to be. 1t is bis
RIGHT TO nominate the Collector OF New
York. and he has exercised that right. AT tho
same time IL is the right Of Mr.. Conklng and MI
Platt to oppose Judge Robertson's confirmation IL
they see fit. Mr. Conkling is reported to be char
acteristically angry at it. ] do not know what
course Mr. Patt will take. The circumstances OIL
his election to the Senate would seem to preclude
him from attacking the element which is behind
Robertson. He came here in the interests oi bal-
mony between the factions Wo shall no DOUBT
soon see how sue cessfu he is in this role His OPP
portunity Is certainly big enough. i do
not believe Mr. Conkliug and bis friends are to make
oman war ON the Administration and dissolve their
amcabe relations with It, as ndisereet friends
Of theirs are nosely asserting the lobes OF the
Senate. give him credit for being too wise poll
tician TO assai a popula: President at the
beginning of his term, merely because he
did not dispose OF single oihce IN u
way to meet his wishes. He certainly cannot ex-
pect that the men in New-York who voted for Gar
field are 10 be punished for doing So and that the
President is going 10 perform the humiliating task
of himself inaIeting the punishment.
So far as the President Is concerned all VINO take
occasion to talk with him this matter know that no
not the sghtest purpose wish To osracize the
Grant men, and that he values their friendship and
aid az highly as he does that Of the elements which
sunported their candidates Mt Chicago and united
IN no inmate him. The chief Of all the Grant men,
General Grant himself, evidently knows this; for
his close personal friends here say he Is on the most
cordial terms with the President, and has recon-
| mended o number of persons Tor appoint
| ment. which he certainly would not nave
done had he felt in the least aggrieved or sighted
His manly course during the late campaign and The
invaluable services he then rendered the Repnbli-
| can party give him. above all other men. the right
TO make such recommendations. aud his wishes
will no doubt be respected. Those OF his
former supporters. who think they are doing
him service by attacking the administration have
fallen into deplorable IL they still believe
they are right and the President wrong let them turn
the thing around aud imagine that the candidate
had been nominated at Chicago and elected. Would
| he have put an anti-Grant man at the head OF the
New-York Custom Housei Wonld he have ap
pointed any man to any prominent Office in New
York who opposed his nomination
President Garfield has appointed four Grant men
In New.York to one of the other faction. This II
magnanimity TO say the least believe II is states,
manship, too He has shown in the most open and and
| generous way that he has no controversy wlth the
| men who voted against him at Chicago. those
| men made q gallant, energetic aud ehec
| tive effort 10 elect him. They have 9
| right To his confidence aud esteem which he amply
| recognizes. They have no right, though, 70 insist
that they shall he allowed 10 dictate all the Federal
| appointrnents. He will not Withdraw Judge Rob
| ertson's name on their demand. This l venture tc
! predict without assuming any knowledge OF his ~
tentions Ie is not the sort OF man TO retreat under
| fire. r. e
WASHINGTON NOTES.