The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-05-18

SIR-we beg leave TO demonstrate against a
change in the COllectorship az New YORK Dy the
removal OF Mr.. Merritt aud the appointment OF
Mr.. Robertson. The proposal was wholly sur
prise We heard Of II only when several noml-
nations involved in the plan was ANNOUNCED In
heen Informed from you that change in Custom
Officer at New York was not contemplated, ana
ute ignorant of the purpose TO take any action,
we haG no opportunity until after the nomina-
lions TO make the suggestions we now present.
We do not believe that the interests OF the public
service viii be benefited by removing the present
We believe 70 political advantage can be gained
for either the Republican party or Its principles
Believing that no individual has claims or oolga-
tions which should be liquidated in such mode.
we earnestly aud respectfully ask the nomina-
ton OF Mr. Robertson 10 be withdrawn.
CLUSTER A. ARTHUR,
II. G.. PLATT,
THOS. l.. JAMES,
ROSCOE CoSKLISG.
This 7aper was presented to the President by
Mr. js,pes ON Monday. the 2sth day of March
Knowing the frequency with which everyone OF
the twenty Presidents of the Republic, and marx
edlv the present incumbent. had Withdrawn
nominations on less serious representations we
did not apprehend that such suggestions would
be treated as an intrusion or invasion ON any pre-
rogative of the nominating power We were dis
appointed. Immediately the public press.
especially in articles aud dispatches written by
those in close and constant association win me
President. and with an influential member OF his
Cabinet, teemed with violent denunciatlons OF
the Senators from New York for opposing the Ad-
miniStratiOn I.
Those persons who visited the Executive Mansion
reported the President as resentful and impatient
of hesitation to advise and consent to what ne
proposed. We had made no assault upon any
body We have, at all times refused to answer
questions by representatives of the press or to
make complaint or comment, or even denial OF
the many truthleSs articles published against
us by OfficiOuS champions of the Administration.
Indeed, beyond the confidential consultations
with brother Senators aud officials, we have stld
nothing until now on the subject nor have we or
either OF us promoted the deadlock in this Sen
ate in order TO prevent, or influence action on
any nomination, nor have we ever sc stated; I'm
mediately after the nominations were published,
letters and kilograms in great numbers came from
every part of the State from its leading citizens
protesting against the proposed changes. ana con-
demning them on many grounds. Several lOu-
sands of leading mercantile firms OF New YORK
constituting. we are informed a majority OF every
/ branch of trade, sent us demonstrations. sixty
/ of eighty-one Republican members OF the Assem-
/ bly, by letter or memorial made objection. Rep-
resentatives in Congress, State officials business
/ trial and political organizations are among the
remonstrants, and they speak from every
section of the state; Besides the 1iil nomina-
the action of the Senate several citizens OF New
York named for Offices connected with the
Courts; District Attorneys ana MaTsnals. Ihese t
| originally commissioned by Mr.. Hayes. They
were certified by the Judges of the Courts and
many other eminent persons. who atteSted TO the
faithfulness ana merit of their service and recon-
mended their continuance. They were not pre-
sented Us. We have not attempted 10 dictate,
nor have we asked the nomination of one person
/ to any Office in the state. Indeed. with the sole
exception of the written quest set forth above,
we have never even expressed our opinion to the
Presidentin any case, unless questioned in regard
| to it. Some days ago the President abruptly
| withdrew in the one and same act the nar1es OF
General WOodford and Mr.. Tenny and OF two
/ Marshals. This unprecedented proceeding.
whether permissible by law or not. was gravely
significant. The President had nominated these
officers after they had been weighed in thea
/ -t,atr 10 dc hot m
had been fully scrutinized and approved.
must be presumed he thought the nominatio
tit TO be made, and thatit was his duty to MAXI
them There is no allegation that he discovered
any unftness in them afterward. 1t could
hardly be that he had discovered unfitness in ali
| of them alike. What then was the meaning and
| purpose of this peremptory step? 1t was imme-
diatey stated, ii by authority, and it seems to
| be an admittance that the purpose was 10 tOrco
/ the Senate or Senator'S 10 vote Is they could not
vote, If left free from Executive interference II
| control the action OF Senators. touching
matters committed by the constitution to the
Senate exclusively. IL has been suggested III ad
ditiOn, by recall. ing these nominations and hold
ing them in his own hands, the President might
in the event of failure OF another nomination use
them to compensate that failure II il can bt
supposed that all these public trusts are to be- o
would in any event be made personal perqui
sites. to be handled and disposed OF, not only tC
punish the Independence of Senatorial votes anC
action. but liq quidate personal allegations OF an.
individual, however high in station, the condi
tiOns are utterly vicious and Degrading, and thei
acceptance would compel the Representatives o
States to fling down their oath and representative
authority at the fOOtsool of Executive power. Fol
lowing this sweeping and startling Executive &C
came the ominous avowals that dissent or failur
TO advise and consent, would be held an act o
ofense, exposing all Senators from whatever Stat
to Executive pleasure. Thus we find ourselve
confronted by the question whether we shall sur
render plain right and the sworn duty of Sen
ators by consenting to what we believe to b
vicious and hurtful, or be assigned positions o
disloyalty TO the Administration which we helped
to bring in, and the success of which we earnest!
wish for.
/ By every reason and motive which enter int
| the case we know of no theory avowed by any
party which requires such submissions as are nov
exacted. Although party service may De ialrll
considered in making the selection for public of
icers, il can hardly be maintained that the Sen
a'e is bound to remove without cause incumbent
merely 10 make places for those whom an!
| individual. even the President, OF Membe
| of his Cabinet wishes to repay fo
him. Only about two years ago the Senate ad
vised General Merritt to be appointed Collector a
New York, 1t is understood that among the Sen
atOrs who so ADVISED. was Mr.. Window, now Sec
retary of the Treasury and head Of the Depart
ment. whose subordinate General Merritt is
Another Senator known to have given this advice
was Mr.. kirkwoOd, now Secretary of the Interior
It is said like the Postmaster General. our owr
State, these Cabinet officers were not taken into
consultation touching the removal OF General
| Merritt, but their sworn and official action a.
Senators, is none the less instructive That the
Secretary of the Treasury and the late Admins
tration up TO its expiration, less then ten weeks
known. and il is now here suggested that ans
/ citizen had petitiOned for his removal or thai
official delinquency on his part is a reason of it,
In place of an experienced officer in the midst OF
his term fixed by law. il is proposed suddenly tc
put man in who had no training for the posi-.
| ton and who not be said to have any special
| fitness for its official duties.
| In the inaugural of President Garfield, delv
| cred on the Ath of March, stand these words:
| THE Civil Service can never be placed on salts
factory basis until IL is regulated by law For the
good of the service ITSELF for the protection oil
er, against waste of time and obstruction TO pub
4 lie business caused by inordinate pressure for
] place, ane for prOteetian OF incumbents against
intrigue and wrong, shall at the proper tine ask
Congress to fix the ten ure of minor Offices in the
several executive Departments, and prescribe
during the terms for which the incumbents have
| been appointed" How good the distinction is,
which would make major Offices prey TO in
trigue and wrong and shield minor offices from
like havoc. and that tRe COllectorships of the
country should belong TO the exposed or 10 the
protected class need not be decided here AS
/ suming General Merritt 10 be an officer OF aver
age fitness and honesty. il might be reasonably
argued that all Senators should with
alaerity advise his displacement by means of
obvious superiority. Possibly il might be SAID
that all should ADVISE a selection in General
MerTitrs place Of a man who, without superior
illness, had rendered his country or even hIs
party conspicuous at exalted service The case
IN hand does not belong TO either OF hese CLASSES
The vocation of Mr. Robertson and his legislative
and professional experience and surroundings do
not denote superiority of the qualities the
knowledge of business habits, and familiarity
with the revenue laws and system of the United
States which might make him more competent
than General Merritt to collect the vast revenues
and administer the vast business pertaining to