Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1881-05-09
THE BATTLE BEGUN.
President Garfield Meets the Stalwarts
Half Way-A Bold beginning In Favor
of Himself for President In 1884.

1IcbIutub ouTucII u1ectS luc SJalWarLb
Half Way-A Bold beginning IN Favor
of Himself for President In 1884. i
Washington, May 5-The president
sent a message to the senate Withdrawing
the New York nominations for United
States marshals and district attorneys.
| The nomination of Robertson was not
withrawn. The nominations Withdrawn
were Woodford, MoDougall, Payne and
Tenny, attorneys for the northern dis
tricts Of New YORK. The president stated
in his message that Robertson was not
withdrawn. The nomination of John
Tyler for the Buffalo collectorship was
withdrawn. In the message there was
no explanation or comment. and there
was the greatest excitement over the fact
that the message had been sent, as it Was
at first believed that Robertson had been
withdrawn. This was. an open ..declara-
tion of war by the president against
Conkling. Last night, in consultation
with friends, the president said he was
determined to make All aggressive fight,
which he inaugurated to-day. He in
tends to keep it up and use every effort
to confirm Robertson.
The message of the president with
drawing the New York nominations,
which are regarded AS belonging to the
stalwart wing Of the party, iS the only
subject Of public interest hefe tonight.
Everybody is talking and speculating
about it. A.western associated press re-
porter, in seeking reliable information,
saw representative men of both sides.
The president is firm and determined.
He has been urged by close friends for
sometime to take aggressive measures
but he hesitated, hoping that some way
of maintaining harmony in the party
consistent with his honor and dignity
might be found. He could not surrend
er any part of the executive prerogative
by withdrawing Robertson Or, consenting
to any compromise. He expressed him
self on all occasions as anxious to do full
justice, to both wings Of the New York
republicans. When Conkling carried
through the republican cancus his poll
cy, which was directly antagonized to
Robertson, the president felt impelled to
take some action.
! Vice President Arthur and Senator
Platt were nj the white house this morn
ing by the presidents request, and he
talked FRANKLY to them. When the pres
. ident learned positively that nothing
, short of permitting Robertson's nomina-
!, ton to lie unacted upon would satisfy
Conkling, he informed Arthur what he
intended to do. When the message was
opened III the senate Arthur was in the
], vice presidents room in the rear Of the
senate chamber, and u senator went il
and told him OF the message. Arthur re-
piled that he, had been expecting the
message.
Senator Hale said tonight that the
!, president ought to have taken this ste,
several weeks ago. The president s pur
pose is declared To be toiiu all the New
York federal offices with men who vii
: not fight the administration for Conk
: ling. He does not intend to make war OF
~ Conkling in New York. but at the sam
= time he will not put power into his hand
to use against the administration. Itwa
d reported. that the nominations were with
% drawn In order to permit Conkling to I'll
l. the places with men OF his choice, as h
'e had said to the Dawes committee tha
le the district attorneys and marshals wer
" not appointed at his request. A report
e er OF the Western Associated Press wen
to high authority i'll the administrator
r and made special inquiry on this poin
IS The reply was that such report was nc
h, true; that the administration had bee
d reluctant. but was forced into this figh
lg as Conkling had declared war to tt
,g knife. One of the most distinguished T.
es publcnns of the country. and truste
q friend of Conkling, said also that Il
presidents message was no peace otfe
al ing, and il Conkling would not accel
;e that the republican party of New Yor
of as represented by Conkling,S would Col
of demn HIM if he did not resist Robertson
IN appointment to- the bitter end: tn.
o. Conkling would not compromise for e
ly cry other federal Office in New York au
ar let Robertson become collector.
When the message was read in the Sc
NJ ate Conkling, was reading paper NJ
iA ~. did no. look up. He knew before har
~ what 1t was. His friends who have tai
ne m ed with him tonight say
+.oes is not dismayed: that he is confde
oS the stalwarts will rally close around hiI
Ho Nv that he considersithe message as an il
piled warning to republican senators th
20 10 If they don t vote for Robertson that the
n ,ce patronage will be Topped off, and til
on . honorable republican senators cam
60 60 be bulldozed in that way. The senate
AZ a generally agree that this will force Il
ao .',a fight on Robertson's nomination, a
'no those who are for Robertson claim III
he will be confirmed next week, and til
ca he will get not less than forty-fve vo.
aaty The presidents aggressive stand has h
lth the effect of bringing the wayering de
re- ocratic senators to his side.
on The democrats all applaud the pre-
ltn dents course, and one of the most exl
lay rienced senators on that side said
INC night that not over three democra
10 votes will be cast against Roberts,
'er Another effect has been, to make the
eie- publican senators speak out more free
eo, as each feels that he must support
end end side of the issue. The republicans W
len. warmly espouse one side or the 9th
talk Of the injury the fight will do
party in New York. but the cooler hes
point to the former contest in the n
York custom house, and predict tt
for this one will terminate similarly; Il
in the defeated side will submit, and
sew great break in the party will be caus
sves Predictions are freely made by senat
era that the senate will adjourn within
tern days.
hen Elmer, nominated for second assist,
TAX postmaster general, at the request of
here Platt Of New York. was not wlthdra
,hen but it is believed lie will be If Mr.. p
mon sustains Mr.. Conkling. 1t can be sta
n in on the best authority that the presid
the gave the most serious consideration
Kept the motter before withdrawing the no
into nations, and finally deciding that nc
ear- ing but aggressive action wns left
'less him. Many persons are charging Sc
seek tary Blaine,w,th inspiring the preside
4 ~ j.. 4 A