Morning journal and courier., 1881-05-19
News by Telegraph FROM ALL QUARTERS. ConkIing's Set Back. Robertson Unanimously Confirmed
 as Collector. Great Enthusiasm atAlbany Robertson the Lion of the
 Hour.
CONkLING DROPPING OUT OF SIGHT.
No Interest in His Movements
 at Washington.
CONKLING'S DEFEAT.

1 CONKLING'S DEFEAT.
 Robertson Confrmed-Not a Single Vot.
 Against Rim-Interest in the Resigna.
 ttOns Dying Out-COnkling Said to ba l Putting Up Another rJob-Maneuverins
 to Secure a Reelection for the Long | Term-ChandIer's Nomination.
 WASHINGTON, May 18.-The confirmation
 of Robertson by the Senate to-day was SC smoothly accomplished that it was almost
 matter of disappointment to those who ex pected an open fight in the Senate. The mistaken impression was given out yesterday that the report of the Committee on Com. merce was made to the Senate by Senate, McMillan. The fact is that Senator Conge1 submitted the report and it was by him that the nomination was called up in the Senate to-day. Since the confirmation has been an- nounced Senators are not 10th to disclose how it was accomplished, and it appears that there was no vote taken on the nomination at all, but that it was confirmed by common con- l sent. AS soon as the doors of the chamber were closed a messenger arrived with a com | naunication from the President. In addition | to several nominations, among others being that of Judson Fitzpatrick as envoy extraor- l dinary to Chih, the communication con- l tained the withdrawal of General Badeau as | charge d'affaires of the United States for Denmark. Then was taken up the nomina l tion of General Merritt for consul general of the United States at London. This was confirmed by common consent, not 8 ! word being said except by the Vice President | who in default of objection announced the confirmation. Robertson's nomination for l collector of the port of New York came next, and when 1t was read there was a call from Senator Farley and also from Senator Jones l of Nevada for the ayes and nays "Oh no, no, mo-" was murmured from both sides. ''Yes, let them have call, " said some one, but only a few hands went up, when the chair asked if the ayes and nays were or dered and the matter was not pressed. The chair hesitated and gave an opportunity for objection to be made to the nomination, but not voice was heard and the confrma- tion was an accomplished fact without even 0ioG U0ce vote being taken. The report, therefore, that Senators Jones of Nevada, Don Cameron. Ingalls, and Farley voted against the confirmation was mistake. After recess which followed th1s confirmation the Senate spent less than half an hour on other conf1rmations and an adjournment was ef- fected at o'clock with general feeling that the extra session would be concluded by Fri day.
 The Conking- Platt resignation, consid- cred in the light of & Washington sensation, has fallen fiat. Not even the confirmation of Judge Robertson has added fire to the gos- sip. No thinking person expected opposi- tion in the Senate, and the only surprise manifested is that the roll call was not de- manded or that not even a 0iuG Uoce vote was deemed necessary All the public seemed anxious for was to know the minute when the confirm ation was fact and then the whole Conkling- -Platt sensation seemed to be o 1e& &lo, HoI1 III l., serted, and no knots of politicians are seen discussing the situation. Senator Dawes was asked if the confirmation or it's manner was surprise. Mot at all, " was the reply. 'It was foregone conclusion, and there was no need of any opposition.' Senator Pendl e. ton said: 'No one looked for any opposi- tion to the confirmation, since Oonkling was not present." On all sides the confirmation was accepted as a matter of course.
 It now transpires that the letter written by General Grant urging the withdrawal of Robertson in the interest of peace and har- mony was delivered to the President by Jones, of Nevada. It cannot be ascertained what reply the President made to the Gen. erals letter beyond that indicated in hIs neg lect to act upon his suggestion.
 One of the latest rumors is to the effect that job has already been fixed that both Jonkling and Platt be re elected, but Platt will agree that Conkling be elected for his
 
 such be brought about it will give Conkling a term in the Senate until 1887, which will be two years beyond his present term and leave him free to antagonize the President without the worry of looking out for his own Senatorial bacon in 1884 Another rumor comes from Albany that while the anti-Conk- ling members of the Legislature may not be strong enough to prevent the reelection of GOnkling, they can force an adjournment and have the election put of until next winter.
 The only important nomination Tn the hands of the committee is that of William E. Chandler for Solicitor General. It is stated definitely that the committee will not report it. and since the Democrats do not seem to be inclined to force it, the President may be left the privilege of appointing him Gd i7a- te1Sno. Under existing circumstances how ever, it is deemed unlikely that any move whatever will be taken in the matter before the next session.
 There was so little uncertainty as to what course the Senate would pursue in the mat ter of Judge Robertson's nomination that when the President was informed that the confirmation had been made he expressed no surprise, but of course was much gratified at the outcome of this long contest. When the news came he did not express any opinion, nor has he since done so. In view of the desire on the part of MT. Merritt to remain in charge of the custom house until the end of the fiscal year it has not yet been deinitee1
 
 of Robertson as collector and Merritt as consul general will be issued. A great number of telegrams from all classes of people have been received by the Presi- dent, but he of course has sent none. In most of them reference is made to the uncsr- tainty of the two Senator's return to the Sen ate, many of them going so far as to assert that the impossiblity of their doing so is certain If information received here is at all indicative of the feelings of the people, public sentiment is rapidly crystallizing in favor of the President and against the action of the two Senators, and opposed to their re- turn to the Senate The Cabinet officers are naturally unwilling to express any opinion on the probable effect of Robertson's confrma- tion or on any phase of the political situa- ton. Secretary Blaine expresses grat- ification at the successful progress of the Senate with the business before them, but says nothing more. Secretary Windom has at no time ex- pressed an opinion in regard to the change in the New York custom house. Postmaster General James remarked when he heard of Robertson's confirmation, "It was done without much fuss wasn't it.'' So the Cabi- net too seem to share the general opinion that the sensation is 8 thing of the past. Ex-Senator Conkling is still in the city and has kept busy all the day in his apartments. Ever since his resignation he has been en- gagged receiving and sending letters and tele-