The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1881-05-27
CONkLlNG AND PLATT.
Resignation ~ the New York Sena-
tors-Statesmemt of the Reasons That

hestEnattOn ~ the New York Sena'
tOrs-Statcnient OF the Reasons Tha,
lmpclled Them to such u Course.
Tho controversy between the President ant
Senator Conkling over the nomination Of Judge
Robertson to be Collector of the port of New
York eliminated, on the 10th inst. in tho resig-
nation, by Senators Conklng and Piatt, of thcii
seats in the United States Senate. Tue action
Of tho New York Senators in rendering thcii
designations, il il needless to say created a
profound sensation at the national capital, and
was sharp surprise to the country at large.
Messrs. Conkling and Plat addressed the fol-
lowing letter to the Governor OF New York,
defining their position, and explaining their
reasons for resigIiing
wksHSGToS, May u, 1891.
To His EXcellency 4. IL. Cornell Governor:
SIR: Transmitting, ~ We do, oar designations, TO
spectyely Of the great trusts with which New York
has honorcd us, 1t i tit that We u"qualt you, auo
through You the Legislature and the people Of Ia
State, with the which, IN Judgment, max,
such step respectful and Necessary. Sore week
ago the President ot the United States sent I" To-.
Senate in group the nomination of s''.crai PEI
for public Offices already flied. one Ur TIE onic
Is the Collectorship of the Port of New York.
now held i,y Gen. Merritt; another il the q ii
sul Gsneraiship at London, now held by Gen.
at Denmark, held by Mr. Cluncr: Hunih."
IL the mission TO Switzerland. held by Mr.. Frh, a.
son ot the former distinguished Secretary Of stat
Mr.. Fish had in Difference to ali auc,Ht pr@rlIr,.
placed his position Mt the displsal Of the udIu
istration but, like other persons named, read
10 REMAIN at his post II permitted 10 do ~.
All these officer, save ONLY Mr.. CranGr, cll-
zens of New York. 1t was proposed to disp!ac,
them all, not Tor any alleged faults advantage
tho public service, but in order TO give tho great
office Of Collector of the Port of New York 10 Mr.
I'm arApya Tl fAF stain q
his which said 10 have aided il making the nJ!n-
inaton OF Gen. Garfield possible.
The chain of removals thus proposed WIS
broken by Gen. Badeau promptly declining
TO accept the new post tn which lie Ia be sent.
These nominations summoned every member Of the
Senate to say whether he sdyised such transaction
The NOV einent WAS more than q surprise We had
been told only few hours before that removals
OF New York officers wore soon TO be made, even
considered and had been requested to withhold the
papers andruggestions bearing the jeet which
had boen sent TO for presentation should occasion
arise until had notice from the President OF his
readiness TO receive them.
Learning that the Vice President was equally
surprised, and had been equally misled, sent
10 Mr. James, the Cabinet officer from our State
and learned that, though no had spent tim,
with the President on the morning OF the day the
nominations were sent In, disclosure Of the in
tenton To send them in had been made To him, and
that the first hs knew OF the matter by bearsay
following the event.
After earnest reflection and coneultat!on We be-
leved the proceeding nnvise md wrong, whether
considered wholly In relation 10 the preservation and
integrity If the pubic service and public example
Republican party. No public utterance
of comment or censurs was made by
either Of US, in the Senate 81 ewherC.
On the contrary, We thought that ia. President
would reconsider the action, so sudden and hasiy,
sni would At least adopt lers hurtful nd i.,oi.-
able modes Of requiting pers nal or i,ii> IdUa
vice. In this hope, the following paper w.s pre-
President, who subscqu ontly in. urlrd that yo