Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-05-12
THE ROBERTSON CASE.

evening gives the following view Of
the Senatorial situation in the Ma
tional capital:
It is expected in political circles
that the present week will be one Of
excitement. It is not thought that
action on RObertson's nomination can
be delayed longer than Thursday, and
to-day caucus is being held by Re-
publican senators to reconsider the
action of the previous caucus. SO
long as the decision of the last caucus
remains in force Senator Conkling
has great advantage in SO far that
he can delay the report in Robertson's
case, and just now delay is advanta-
geOus to him.
The Democrats are not united as
to what course they will pursue, nor
are the Republicans. With some
Democrats the question arises wheth-
er the Presidents move is to be ac-
cepted as personal warfare on Sen
ator Conkling or whether by his act
he is threatening the Senate and ar
rogating to himself the right to coerce
that body or influence it through the
use of patronage. Some of the Sen-
ators, aside from political affiliations,
hold that the question at issue is not
whether the President or Senator
Conkling shall triumph, but whether
by the implied threat the President
has made he is to assume that the
executive power shall dominate the
distinct legislative power of the gov
eminent. The matter, hence, is set
Ting itself down to question OF the
rights of the Senate in eontradistinc
ton to the right Of the President I'M
der the constitution. ~--.....
The Presidents friends say, exul-
tiagly: Gen. Garfield has made up
his mind to be President" This is
all right, undoubtedly, say these SEN
ators, but in asserting such claim he
must not forget that the Senate has
rights delegated to it By the constitu-
ton. One of these rights is that of
consenting to the Presidents APP
pointments; that is, if it sees fit,
then it clearly has the right to refuse
to consent: and for the President to
say: "You must confirm this or that
man, under pain, if you do not, of
Executive displeasure." is a threat
which if yielded to will destroy the
co-ordinary of the government.
On this subject Senator Conkling
said yesterday to a Southwestern
senator: III anticipate. within three
years, that there will be an uprising
of the people to resist the encroach-
ment of executive power, /, for one,
intend to resist all such encroach-
ments. no matter who is President"
Then there are Democrats who rea-
son in this way : They say the Pres
ident is in dilemma he cannot get
Judge Robertson confirmed unless he
has Democratic votes. Now it is our
duty to take advantage of the COM
pick situation and help ourselves.
This they can do. 1t so happens
said a leading Democrat, that just
now the Democratic mind is consid-
erably taken up with respect to Ma
hone and the position the President
bears towards him. The President,
it is reported, has some officials draft
ed outside of the GOrham- Riddle
barger contest; he is with Malone
in his effort to break down what is
called "Bourbon Democracy" in Vir-
ginia. In short, this means an ALI
ance with Malone, if he can destroy
the Democratic party in Virginia.
With patronage Malone may be
able to make inroads on Democratic
strength, but without it lie. would be
powerless. Now. say some of the
Democratic leaders, if the President
proposes to knife us by giving Ma
hone Federal patronage with which
to disrupt our party, it is none of our
affair to aid him in his present di
lemma. Rather it is our duty to go
to him and find out definitely what
he intends to do, and if he will not
give us satisfaction, to stand aloof