The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-04-22
THE DEADLOCK.

Senators Conkling and Cameron are
mainly responsible for the present dis
graceful state of affairs in the Senate.
They are making a dangerous expert
ment in trying the patience of the peo-
Pile so pcrsistently. There is a general
feeling of disgust in the community, not
only at the interruption of business but
also at the shameful scenes that have re-.
Gently been enacted in the Senate cham
Der. 1t is bad enough to have the mem
bers of the lower House abuse each 9th
cr like pothouse politicians, but it is in
iinitely worse when grave and dignitied
Senators descend to the same level. In
the shameless squabble for petty offices
all the great interests of the nation are
fergotten--the Presidents nominations
are neglected, the Courts compelled to
adjourn for want of proper officers to at
tend to cases,--and all decency is laid
aside in the contemplate wrangle. The
Republican Senators decline to accept
the offer made by the Democrats TO 90
into executive session, and insist that the
petty offices of the Senate shall be first
decided. The bargain with the renegade
Malone is first to be consummated and
the rights of the people are made sec,
ondary consideration. There must be O
speedy end to this deadlock if the Pres
idents administration is not to sink into
contempt. Mr.. Conlsling, in his obsti
nate resentment has placed Mr.. Garfield
in such a position that he cannot afford
to yield. If Judge Robertson's name is
Withdrawn or if he is rejected by the
Senate, Mr.. Gartield's claims for the sup
port of the people will be small indeed
1t will be virtual inauguration Of Conk-
ling, as Chief Magistrate. The friends
of Mr.. Garfield assert that he Is a strong
aud able man, fully competent to con.
duct the affairs of the nation with honor
and consistency. If the claim be true
now is the time to prove it. So long as
this Senatorial squabbe continues, SC
long will the Administration lose pres
hgs. 1t is u matter of very little mo
nent who are the officers OF the Senate
provided they are not chosen in pursu-
anee of a disgraceful bargain, but it is
of the greatest Importance that nccessa
ry public business be transacted, and in a
decent manner. Scores OF Presidential
nominations need to be acted upon
without delay. In one case at least, an
United States Court has been forced to
adjourn because District Attorney has
not been confirmed. This entaled great
annoyance and expense upon hundreds
of interested parties to suits.
There is no room left for doubt as to
the alliance of the Republicans with
Malone, the Hepudiator Why else
should such a man as Riddleberger be
named for office? lie is of the same po
litical faith as Malone and even more
ultra in his views. The Republican,
strenuously deny all afiiliation with eth
er of these men, and yet Senator Gamer
on stated openly in the Senate that the
fight was not for the offices, but to affec,
the coming election in Virginia, and
presumably, with the aid of Malone and
his henchman. The peppery little Re
pudiator denies that he has made any
bargain with the Republicans, but in the
face of such facts, how is he to be be
lievedl Ii the Senate has any wish tC
preserve even a semblance of decency
this unseemly deadlock will come to al
end at once.