The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-05-12
TOOK THEM BY SURPRISE.

Those persons who thought that President Gar
field was cowed, and was at the mercy of Conk-
ling and his crowd, were somewhat astonished,
one morning last week, by his suddenly turning
the tables upon them. When the Senate went
into executive session, message was read from
the President, withdrawing seven nominations
for important Offices in New York, embracing all
that were known as conklings appointees, but
not including that of Judge Robertson. This
was turn uot looked for by COnkling, who ex-
pected TO secure the confirmation Of all who were
his followers, and defeat that Of Robertson
Whatever the outcome may be as to Robertson,
it establishes the fact that Garfield has back
bone, and intends TO be President while his term
lasts and that he cannot he bulldOzed. An over
whelming majority of the Republicans sustain
him, and wish him success in the fight that COnk-
ling has forced upon him.
There are but few Republicans who have any
ilI-win toward Senator Conkling. They recog-
nize his ability and influence, and would be
pleased 10 see his wishes consulted, to large
degree But they do not want him to control
the Government, to the exclusion Of good men
who happen to be dstasteful to him. President
Garfield wished to please him, and went as far
in that direction rs any man could he expected
togo. lie appointed COnklings friend Postmaster
General; another of his especial friends Minister
to England his inhential friends to some of the
best Offices in New York; and had the names of
seven more in for good Offices. Then he nOmi-
mated Judge Robertson for Collector Of the port
of New York, which nomination was unanimous
ly endorsed by the State Senate Of New York, in
Guiding Democrats and COnkling men. But
Conkling hated Robertson, and at once declared
war, unless the President withdrew the nOmina-
tiOn; and he not only went TO work to coerce
the Republican eaecus into shouldering his fight,
but hOneyed around Democratic Senators, to get
their assistance in defeating the confirmation.
And what was his ground for all thisi Robert
son had always been true Republican, and had
never bolted party ticket. Nobody denied that
he was an able and upright man. But he refused
to obey Conkling's dictation when he could not
consistently follow him. He was appointed
delegate to the Chicago Convention, from Dis
trict opposed to Grant for third term, and vot-
ed the will Of his constituency, refusing to vote
as Conklng bade him. That was his sole offend
ing He is one of the men who made the nOm-
inatiOn Of Garfield possible, and finally made il
a fact For this, COnkling demands that Gar
field shall ignore Robertson, and do his work in
Furnishing man for the sin of nominating Gar
field, threatening dire things in case his demand
is not complied with; and little whipper- snapper
toades here and there over the country join in a
chorus: "oh, don't make COnkling mad, or he
will defeat the party"
If it has come to this pass, that COnkling is to
be allowed TO dictate to the country, or he will
defeat the Republican party in New York, the
sooner the thing is tested, the better Whenever
a man gets in that fix, il is better that defeat
comes at once, involving him in it. The Repub-
lican party of New York would be the first to
weary of il, and the result would be, Conkling
wOuld go on the shelf for the good of the party.
II would soon become tired of defeat for the sake
of being n tool in the hands of Conkling.
What the outcome will be, cannot now be fore
told. A number of Republican Senators are with
COnkling, together with n number of Democrats,
in the expectation that this will widen the breach
in the Republican party. On the other hand, it
is claimed that a majority of the Republican
sufficient number of Democrats to insure success.
No one suppOses that Garfield will refuse to ap-
point any more COnkling men. His withdrawal
of those nominations simply signifies that he does
not mean TO keep batch Of nominations before
the Senate for COnkling's benefit, while he is
We presume that the Conkling men will stand
as good chance for Office herafter as they have
done heretofore.