Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-05-18
CONSUMES LgIgEa AND PROGRAMMES.

0ho a Iclleideiou VI lilr previously WIZ
known fact that the nomination of Robert
son was personally offensive to him. VI
course the references to civil service princl-
pies by the most conspicuous machine
manager of the day, have an opera bouife
effect. They merely serve to show how
completely Senator Conkling has escaped
recognition OF the public view OF his course
and position. So far as civil service prin-
ciples are concerned, it is plain enough
that they have no connection with this
affair on either side. Tbs Presidents NOM
ination of Robertson was unquestionably
fat reputation of those principles, and
the contest which has eliminated in the
resignation of Mr. Conklipg and his
spaniel has been a machine contest
throughout. Mr.. Conkling, however, has
evidently made great mistake in his cal
citations. We take it for granted that he
will be reelected, though to re-elect him
the New York Legislature must stuitify
itself, since it is plain from his own admis-
sions in this letter that he never would
have resigned had ne not been assured in
| advance that he could play this trick
| safely. But his mistake lies in the suppo-
sition that such reelection will give him
| any additional strength. 1t is clear to US
that it can do nothing Of the kind. He
can only be reelected now as an avowed
Enemy to the Administration, and
| therefore, since the Administration is not
likely to commit the suicidal blunder of
putting power in the hands of its enemies,
he will go back to Washington stripped in
advance of all the influence the control of
the Federal patronage confers.
That patronage the Administration will
be compelled to give to the anti Conkling
wing of the Republican party in New
York, and Senator Conkling viii therefore
be forced either to throw himself into the
arms of the Democrats, or to sit and
sulk in an impotent and undignified
way. 1t cannot be believed that he yearns
for such political martyrdom as he has
prepared for himself. 1t must rather be
concluded that his sagaclty and foresight
have been greatly overestimated, and that
his egotism has in this case led him into
course which his cooler judgment could not
have Endorsed. The idea that he can, by
seeking reelection at the hands of a
Legislature VIGOROUSLY under his control
heretofore, acquire in any real manner
the Endorsement of his State, must appear
to dispassionate spectators an astonishing
fallacy. If the Legislature which is to
elect him had itself TO be elected pre-
viouslY if the present issue were then
put squarely before the people then, in.
deed, it might be said that the voice of
the Legislature was that of the State
measurably. But under existing circum-
stances no such claim can be made with
any seriousness, and, in fact, the appeal to
the Legislature wears the vulgar aspect OF
clumsy melodramatic device.
Senator Conklipg's letter is not calcu-
lated to strengthen him with the people,
either They will perceive at once that
there is only one question in issue, and that
that is constitutional one upon which all
the arguments are against the New York
Senator. He has taken the position that
if one Senator offers purely personal OBJ.
lection to an executive nomination, it
ought to be rejected. Neither he nor any
other man has dared to say that Mr.. Rob-
ertson is unfit. It is thoroughly well
known that he is fit There is consequently
no basis for the only kind OF Senatorial OBJ
| lection to executive nominations contem-
plated in the Constitution. Again, while
the Constitution provides that nomina-
tions shall be made "by and with the ad-
twice and consent of the Senate, it does
not say "by and with the advice and con-
sent of any single Senator" The Pres
ident demands, as his right, that the Sem
ate shall consider the Robertson nomina-
ton on It's merits. Mr.. Conkling demands
that his single personal objection to that
nomination shall suffice for its rejection.
There cannot be rational doubt that the
President is right, and that the Senator is
wrong, and it is equally clear already that
| the country is with the former and against
the latter.
We do not see that the theatrical coup
of the resignation can help Mr.. Conkling
particle. The pseudo-indorsement which
is all he can derive from it will not be &C.
cepted for anything more than what it
really is, namely sham. 1t will not pre-.
vent the nomination OF Robertson, which
will take place beyond doubt to. morrow or
the next day. It will not make that course
right which was wrong before. Il will
simply stultify the New York Legislature,
which has already Endorsed the nomination
OF Robertson. The Senate will no. take
sides with Mr.. Conklipg against the Adj
ministration on this issue. That has
already been made perfectly clear. If
therefore he goes back to Washington he
must do so shorn of his prestige, and with
the reputation Of having done very foolish
thing out of mere petulance and egotism.
There is in fact no future to his pro-
gramme. 1t begins and ends with the in.
dorsement of the Albany Legislature, and
| that Endorsement neither means nor can lead
to anything. AS means of breaking the
Senator's fall this expedient is manifest
failure. It's case of one who has lived by
the machine perishing by the machine. Mr..
Conkling has owed all his Importance to
that influence, and now he has lost control
Of it, and it is turned against him. He
undertook contract altogether beyond his
capacity, and do what he may, he is
| destined to humiliation and defeat, accord
4 ing to the present indications.
Il REMARKABLE STATE OF THINGS.
The names of Viee-President Arthur and
General James are appended to the highly
impertinent protest against the Robertson
nomination sent to the President, and pub.