Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-05-18

Mr.. Conkling.s Position.

In long letter to Gov. Cornell Mr..
Conkling defines his position in regard to
the nomination Of Mr.. Robertson and
states his reasons for resigning the Sen
atorship. In brief, the substance of the
whole matter is that he is opposed to Rob
ertson because the latter opposed his at
:mpts to turn the State Of New York
over to General Grant at the Chicago Con-
vention, by coercing the delegates through
the unit rule, and he is desperately IN
censed at President Garfield because Rob
ertson was nominated against his (Conk-
ling's) wishes. That is all there is Of the
whole matter. For this and nothing
more Mr.. Conkling has resigned his seat
in the Senate. Other reasons assigned
are but dust cast in the eyes of the public
to blind them to the real facts.
We should like to see the result Of
fair. free and open expression of the opin-
ions Of the republican party Of the whole
country upon the question at issue between
Robertson and Conkling. To us it seems
that Conkling in attempting to force the
delegates of New York to vote for the can
didate he favored at Chicago, against their
Judgment, will and rights as freemen. was
assuming power which did not belong to
him, and that his course was arbitrary, in
solent and Jespotic; while the course of
Robertson was honorable. right and worthy
the approval OF every patriotic citizen.
II Offices may be bestowed as Il reward
for good and patriotic service Robertson
certainly Is worthy of as important a
place ut least "a the collectorship Of New
York.
That the President has the power to
nominate Mr.. Conkling does not DENY
But he complains that the President at
tempts to coerce Senators to vote for
Robertson. This presents the President
in a false light. He has not tried to
compel any Senator TO vote for the man
he has nominated. The nomination was
made some two weeks ago. the Senate
has delayed action upon it at Mr. Conkling's
instigation and would never &C. upon it if
he could have his way. The President
simply asks that the nomination shall be
taken up. not showed aside, and be either
confirmed or rejected. That is all the
President asks. He insists upon the re-
spect due his Office and his official acts and
no more. Every Senator is free to vote
for or against Robinson. as he may think
best.
II the resignation of Conkling and Plat
are accepted it will devolve upon the
Legislature of New York to fill the va
cancics That body is now in session, and
NAV elect within the next two weeks. Mr..
Conkling and his friends will do all in
their power to return him TO the Senate
of the United States. bearing the endorse
ment of the Legislature with him in
his contest witt the President. He
has no doubt calculated carefully
his chance of being elected and
the belief that he can and will he returned
is firmly fixed in his mind. Pos
sibly he may have reckoned without
his host. He may not carry the legisla-
ture of New York in his breeches pockets.
There may be republicans in that body
who will not wear his yoke in contest
with the President in which the latter is
most clearly right and Conkling as evil
IDENTITY wrong. and the Senator who has
sought to humble at his feet the Presi-
dent of the United States may find HIM
self endorsed in the legislature of New
Ioik.