Daily globe., 1881-05-17


GUESS NOT.
All sorts of rumors are aAoat regarding
other designations which are to follow, Vice
President Arthur being among those men
toned in this connection. There is, how
ever, no apparent foundation for the.reports.
Secretary Window was called to the execu-
tive mansion shortly after Z o'clock and has
been there ever since.
President Garfield was apprised of the con-
tsmplated resignation early this forenoon.
Can Elect In a Week.
The Commercial says: The case of Senator's
Conkling and Platt is now in the hands of the
legislature of New York, and it is to decide
whether or not it approves the action they
have recently taken. A new election can take
place week from tomorrow if the papers
are received in Albany, as the revised statutes
provide that in case of a vacancy occurring
during the session of the legislature it shall be
filled on the second Tuesday after the ratlfica-
tion is received.
A Washington special says: 1t is believed
Conkling and Platt intend to stand for re-elec-
ton, and will make the campaign a test of ap-
proval of their action in the Robertson case.
Conkltng's Letter of Explanation.
WASHINGTON, May ID, 1sS1.-.Sir: Trans
hitting, as we do, our designations, respective
ly, of the great trusts with which New York
has honored us, it is fit that we acquaint you
and, through you, the Legislature and people
of the State with the reasons which, in our
Judgment, make such step respectful and
necessary: Some weeks ago the President sent
to the Senate, in group, the NOM
nations of several persons for public
Offices already filed. One of those offices
is the collectorship of the port Of New York
now held by Gen. Merritt. Another is the
consul generalship at London, now held by
Gen. Badeau. Another is charge d. affaires to
Denmark, held by Mr.. Cramer. Another is
the mission TO Switzerland, held by Mr.. Fish,
son of the former distinguished secretary of
state. Mr.. Fish had in Difference to an ancient
practice placed his position at the disposal of
the new administration, but like the other
persons named he was ready to remain at his
post if permitted to 10 80. All these officers
save Mr.. Cramer are citizens of New York,
and it was proposed to displace them all; not
for any alleged faults or.any alleged needs or
advantage of the public service, but in order
to give the great office of collector of the port
of New York to Mr.. w. Fl. Robertson as a re-
ward for acts of his, said to have
aided in making the nomination of General
Garfield possible. The chain of removals
thus proposed was broken by Gen. Badeau's
declining to accept the new place to which he
was to be sent. These nominations sum-
whether they would have advised such trans
action.
The movement was more than surprise.
We had been told only few hours before that
no removals in New York officers were soon
to be made, or even considered, and had been
requested TO withhold the papers and sugges-
tions bearing on the subject, which had been
sent to us for presentation, should occasion
arise, until we had notice from the President
of his readiness to receive them. Learning
that the Vice President was equally surprised,
and had been equally mislead, we went to Mr..
James, cabinet officer from our State, and
learned that though he had spent
some time with the President
on the morning of the day the nominations
were sent no disclosure of his intention 10
send them had been made to him, and that the
first he knew of the matter was by hearsay.
Following this event, after earnest reflection
and consultation, we believed the proceeding
unwise and wrong, whether considered wholly
in relation to the preservation and integrity of
the public service and public example
to be set, or in relation also to the
integrity of the Republican party. No public
utterance of comment or censure was made by
either of us in the Senate or elsewhere. On
the contrary, we thought that the President
| would reconsider the action SO sudden and
hasty, and would at least adopt a less hurtful
and Objectionable mode of requesting personal
or individual service. In this hope the follow
| ing paper was prepared and signed and pre-
sented by Mr.. James to the President, who
was subsequently informed that you had au
| thorized your name to be added also.
| To the President:
We bog leave to remonstrate against the change IN
| the collectorship at New York by the removal o.
Mr.. Merritt and appointment of Mr.. Robertson. The
proposal was wholly surprise We heard of 1t onl,
when several nominations involved In tho plan wert
announced in the Senate. We had only two days be
fore this been informed from you that change II
the custom offices at New Fork was not contemplated
and quite ignorant of the purpose to take any actor
now, We had no opportunity until after the non1fna
ton to make the suggestion we now present. We de
not believe that the interests Of the public servic
will be promoted by removing the present collecto
and putting Mr.. Robertson In his stead. Our opin
ion is quite the reverse, and we believe no poltica
advantage can be gained for either the Republican
party or its principles Believing that no individua
has claim or obligation which should be HQudatst
in such q mode, we earnestly and respectfully cal
that the nomination Of Mr.. Robertson be Withdrawn
(Sgnedl OHEsTER A. ARTHUR,
T. @. PLArT,
THos. L. JAMES,
ROSCOE CoNKLINa.