The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-04-01
THE IMPENDING STRUGGLE.

The political sea at Washington Is disturb
ed; In fact, is more or less ruffied throughout
the country. II seems hardly credible that
the appointment of a gentleman Of undoubted
integrity as Collector Of Customs at the port
Of New York should shake the Republican
party Of the country from centre TO circum-
ference, but there are omens that such viii
be the result. The control Of that office
Is regarded by Senator Conk.ing as his
by right, precedent and the prestige Of hav-
ing successfully battled for 1t against Presi-
dent, Cabinet and the designs of Democracy.
The Collector Of that port has l,250 salaried
employees enrolled In the Blue Book, and oc-
casionally the pay roll carries 1000 or $500
names. II is an immense patronage. Half
the custom duties of the country are collect
ed there. The salary Of the Collector Is
$4,000 per annum, with fuel, water and gas
bills paid. 1t controls, to great extent. the
politics Of New York city and State, and 1t
Is handy thing TO have control OF. Under
the Constitution the President Is presumed
TO have the right TO "nominate and by and
with the advice and consent of the Senate
appoint this officer. The first part of this
prerogatiye he has exercised In nominating
Judge Robertson. The Senate now has its
say and there the trouble is expected. The law
of custom grows to be as strong that Of statute
A custom Of that body has grown TO be, not
only the courtesy of the Senate in confirm
ing or rejecting the nominees, as they may
be approved or disapproved by the Senators
Of the State TO which the appointments are
made, but that virtually the nomination shall
be dictated by the interested Senator.
President Hayes refused to permit this az
erosion rpon his prerogatives in the very
Office now in question. Senator Conkline
accepted the gage Of battle for Arthur and
Merritt, declared war on the administration,
fought II out on that line, and Arthur Is now
yice-President and Plat Senator. Presi.
dent Garfield takes up the issue where HAYES
ended, and, after giving few minor Offices
to Conkling's friends, astounds the country
by nominating to the Coilectorship Judge
Robertson, a personal and political enemy
of Conkling, the leader of the revolt against
the instructions of the New York State Con
yention last fall to vote as unit for Grant
and the recognized head of the Blaine rins
in that Stale. IL was a bold defiance u
Conkling and Platt-absolving himself mo-
only from dictation, but from all considera
tions except his own will in the nomination
of officers, and putting the strongest politica
influence of the State in the hands of thei
opponent. The kilograms say Conkling will
accept the issue and fight, notwithstanding
the New York Senate which was believed Il
be in sympathy with him has endorsed
the nomination. If he does not fight ant
win, even he may get left at the next Sena
torial contest.
Considering the welfare Of the party, this
particular nomination seems to have beer
conspicuously impolitic. II invites strug
Gle that bodies no good and that need no
have been. Surely it is not already forgot
ten tina: Maine was lost TO the Republicans
that the campaign last summer was fiilur
and defeat was staring the party in the fac
until Grant, Conkling, Logan and Cameron
threw themselves into the fray and wreste'
victory from the jaws Of disaster. Conklinl
Is in this not only the "Senator from New
York." but the representative Of the Gran
element In this country, and will ally will
him In the contest the sympathies of the 30
delegates a. Chicago, wl.o sto for the oil
chief through all the shocks Of battle, AM
that of their constituents. If Conkling win
1t will ALLEVIATE aud embitter the Independent
and Blaine Republicans Of New York, TO
Robertson is not worthy to be rejected. i
Garfield wins, 1t will be victory for Blain'
aud not Garfield, and the Secretary of Stat
will reap where the President has sown. II
men and estrange Important elements Of th'
party that should work in harmony and ap
peared ready TO do so. If the struggle comes
as now appears inevitable, il will be BATH
of the giants, and the Democracy will be tn
only gamers.